Improve your breeding herd with embryo transfer and BQI

Producing cattle that combine high performance figures with continued success in the show ring requires skill, experience and excellent herd management. The Ranfurly herd of pedigree Simmental cattle, owned by David Hazelton, is a prime example of how developing and implementing a herd breeding plan through the Beef Quality Initiative can achieve this desirable combination.

Embryo transfer is one method used in the herd to exploit genetic potential. BQI promotes the use of embryo transfer by offering assistance of £240 for each eligible embryo implanted and is available to both commercial and pedigree breeders within three years of successfully completing a BQI learning programme.

Embryo transfer increases the rate of genetic progress by removing fertilised embryos from cows of high genetic merit and implanting them into cows of lower genetic merit. In the Ranfurly herd, embryos have been harvested for home use, while some are available for sale.

David successfully completed the Beef Quality Initiative (BQI) Pedigree Breed Improvement Programme in 2003. Since then, he has applied the principles studied during the programme to the running of his herd. He actively seeks out new elite sires each year to continually improve the maternal and carcase traits of breeding stock.

Selecting A.I. bulls based on specific Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) allows David to choose bulls that will complement each individual pedigree cow. Calving ease and milk supply are the main traits considered when selecting cows and calving ease, milk and muscling are the desired traits when selecting a bull. Attention is also given to physical attributes such as height, length and feet. Sires used have included Dovefields Gallant, Balist, Carnkern Titan and Milnafua Graduate, all of which are registered as BQI Elite sires.

Three highly productive cows have been identified based on performance figures, breeding records and visual appearance. They have been repeatedly flushed with the embryos implanted into young heifers. Salisbury Guinevere has a Milk EBV in the top 10 percent of the UK Simmental population, while Sacombe Milady-Kleeb and Ranfurly May 10^th are both superior carcase cows.

One advantage of embryo transfer is that instead of the best cows producing a solitary calf each year, they produce multiple calves. For example, Sacombe Milady Kleeb has produced 13 calves in the past two years, while Salisbury Guinevere has produced seven calves. All of these qualify as superior maternal cattle.

Donors are normally synchronised and inseminated with two semen straws 12 hours after heat detection. A second insemination occurs 12 hours later. Donors should be kept at a body condition score of 2.5 to 3 to obtain the best ovulation rates and stress is minimised. Donors also receive minerals to help boost fertility prior to flushing, in an attempt to increase ovulation rates.

Recipients range in age, but 18 month old heifers are preferable, as they tend to have higher pregnancy rates. Calves are weighed at regular intervals through the Breedplan recording system, which allows all aspects of herd performance to be continually monitored.

The success of the Ranfurly herd through intensive selection based on performance has been carried on to the show ring throughout Northern Ireland and in GB. Sacombe Milady-Kleeb bred the bull Ranfurly Rancher which won several prizes in 2005 including Clogher Show. The same cow also bred Ranfurly Kleeb 6^th, which, along with Ranfurly Shamus, won the interbreed championship at the Castlewellan show in 2006. Ranfurly Romeo was Reserve champion at the spring Simmental society sale and is also an elite maternal bull.

David is keen to continue using embryo transfer to improve his own breeding stock and to produce embryos and stock for sale. The financial assistance of £240 towards the cost of implanting embryos has made the process an attractive breeding option in the Ranfurly herd.

He continues to use performance data when making breeding decisions and selecting elite maternal sires. David is currently sourcing semen from outside the UK to increase the choice of bulls available to him.

Embryo transfer remains a key aspect of BQI and is one of the quickest methods to improve the herd breeding quality. Both commercial and pedigree breeders can purchase and claim assistance on qualifying embryos within three years of completing a BQI learning programme. If you are interested in embryo transfer, or would like additional information, contact BQI admin on 028 94 426880 or your local beef and sheep advisor.

Three generations together from left to right – Ranfurly Kleeb 6^th, her calf Ranfurly Kleeb 12^th and Sacombe Milady-Kleeb, who has produced 13 calves through embryo transfer.

Salisbury Guinevere who has been successfully flushed, producing seven calves in the past two years.