Elite genetics boosted with Holbrook Breeders Australia’s new bovine IVF facility | The Land

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BREEDERS seeking to acquire and multiply elite genetics now have an exceptional facility at their disposal in southern New South Wales. Holbrook Breeders Australia recently completed the trial phase of its new bovine IVF facility, which has been built at the HBA Donor Management Centre in Mangoplah.

As Australia’s leading assisted reproduction company, HBA has built the world-class IVF laboratory to expand its range of professional reproductive services to meet the growing needs of its customers.

The new facility will provide Australian livestock breeders with more IVF services and increase their chances of accelerating genetic progress within their programs.

IVF programs in the US now account for a substantial portion of embryo transfers as breeders embrace the ability to more easily create larger embryo reserves.

Since the completion of the IVF laboratory, the HBA team has been conducting pilot IVF programs with leading clients.

“We have had excellent success with OPUs (ovum pick ups) and fresh embryo transfers with conception rates ranging from 52 to 84 percent with an average of 64 percent at 70 days,” said Stuart Geard, HBA CEO.

“It took longer to master the production of frozen embryos, but now we also have the right growth media for directly thawed frozen embryos.

“After this slow start with frozen and immediately thawed embryos, we are now pleased to report that we have significantly improved the conception rates of our frozen and immediately thawed embryos, which are on average 61.5%, with a range of 47 to 66%.

“The 47% result came from embryos derived from 11-month-old Angus heifers.”

Dr. Geard expects that conception rates from embryos produced via IVF will conservatively average 40 to 50% for heifers, 45 to 55% for cows and 55 to 65% for fresh embryos.

“And above all, we strive for consistent results,” he said.

The IVF services complement the existing MOET (Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer) services.

With three mobile laboratories, a domestic donor management facility in Mangoplah and an established network of satellite centres, HBA can serve IVF clients from southern Queensland to South Australia.

The experienced HBA embryo transfer team can implant embryos, but they can also be implanted by the breeder’s current ET veterinarian.

“HBA is committed to helping Australian livestock breeders achieve their genetic goals,” said Dr Geard.

“We have some of the best genetics in the world here and that is a direct result of their hard work and dedication.

“We need to make sure breeders have access to the best tools available so they can stay ahead of the curve.

“We do not believe IVF is the only solution; it will be an addition to our current MOET services.

“But IVF does have advantages that we would like to guarantee for our clients.”

HBA now conducts biweekly collections at the Mangoplah centre, as well as at the farm or satellite centres. The HBA team can provide the full range of services from donor management to implants.

“Both IVF and MOET have advantages and disadvantages compared to each other. That is why it is important that breeders have the choice.

“But overall, both techniques allow producers to identify elite genetics and rapidly multiply those genetics.”

This is brand content for HOLBROOK BREEDERS AUSTRALIA