Genetics
weaning. Identifying embryos
that do not meet the criteria
before they are transferred
dramatically reduces that
investment. Also, embryos from
the same flush or IVF cycle
produce calves that perform
very differently. In fact, if you
have seen many flush mates in
a contemporary group, you will
know that there can be quite
a bit of variation in phenotype
and performance. Combining
these modern technologies can
reduce the resources needed to
produce a calf crop with genetic
value well beyond the average
incremental advance of using
20 | DECEMBER 2018 - JANUARY 2019
them separately. Or, looking
at the same scenario from the
other direction, more calves that
meet specific genetic criteria
can be produced on a limited
amount of resources by using
these technologies together.
How does this relatively new
approach to advancing the
genetic capabilities of seedstock
affect commercial cow-calf
producers and the rest of
the beef production chain?
Since embryo transfer has not
been adopted in commercial
production at a significant rate,
the impact might simply be
through the availability of better
bulls from seedstock herds a
couple of steps downstream
from the cattlemen using this
approach. But, the case could
also be made for targeted use of
this method in large commercial
herds to produce custom-
made F1 replacement females.
Regardless of where market
forces take this approach,
knowing about how genetics
are being advanced more
rapidly at the top of the hill
will let you see the snowball
coming so you can decide to
either be part of it or, at least,
not get buried by it. I