At a glance: Embryo transfer in commercial cattle offers producers a way to accelerate genetic progress and increase herd value. However, the technology requires significant investment in management, facilities, veterinary support and recipient cow quality, making profitability highly dependent on each individual operation’s goals and execution.
Embryo transfer (ET) has moved from a tool used almost exclusively by seedstock breeders and show cattle producers into a technology being evaluated by producers with commercial cattle operations of all sizes. The potential is appealing: a single genetically superior cow can produce dozens of calves in her lifetime instead of one per year, accelerating genetic improvement and potentially increasing herd value. Still, the real question is whether ET fits the goals, resources and management capacity of the operation.
For a commercial producer whose primary income comes from selling feeder calves rather than registered breeding stock, the question is whether ET pencils out once labor, equipment, veterinary fees and risk are factored in. This article examines the practicality and profitability of ET for commercial cattle by reviewing the process, costs and potential returns.
Jeremy VanBoening, DVM
Owner and Practicing Veterinarian
Republican Valley Animal Center and Republican Valley Genetics
On behalf of GENEX
Conventional embryo transfer
Conventional, or in vivo, ET begins with selecting a donor cow of high genetic merit or superior phenotype. The donor is given a course of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to induce superovulation, causing her ovaries to release multiple eggs instead of the usual one. She is then artificially inseminated or put with a bull during estrus, and approximately seven days later, the embryos are non-surgically flushed from her uterus. The retrieved embryos are evaluated for quality and either transferred fresh into synchronized recipient cows or cryogenically frozen for later use. Recipient cows carry the pregnancies to term as surrogate mothers.
Even under excellent management systems, conventional ET is not a guaranteed success. Industry estimates suggest about 20% of donors will never produce embryos through in vivo systems. A typical flush yields about eight to 10 quality, transferable or freezable embryos, though the range can run from zero to more than 20, depending on the individual cow. Cows can typically be flushed every four to six weeks and must be open for this process to occur.
Pregnancy rates for in vivo-produced embryos average 15% to 20% higher than in vitro fertilization (IVF) derived embryos. In beef cows, this equates to a 55% to 70% pregnancy rate for frozen embryos, and a 65% to 80% pregnancy rate with fresh transferred in vivo embryos.
In vitro fertilization
A newer alternative, IVF harvests oocytes (eggs) directly from a donor’s ovaries through a procedure called ovum pickup (OPU). The eggs are fertilized and cultured in a laboratory before being transferred or cryogenically frozen.
IVF makes it possible to collect eggs from pregnant donors and young heifers and can be done every two weeks. An IVF cycle in beef cows generally produces 18 to 23 oocytes, with wide variation, and about 33% (six to eight) of those oocytes become usable embryos.
With excellent semen quality, IVF can allow multiple donors to be fertilized from a single straw of semen, greatly multiplying the influence of a rare or high-value sire. Some IVF systems do not use hormones, which can reduce costs. However, data indicates the use of small amounts of FSH will produce more viable embryos and higher pregnancy rates than programs that do not use FSH.
IVF is not a cure-all for the 20% of cows that do not produce conventionally, but it can reduce that portion to less than 5%. IVF is also generally the preferred technology when producers want to create sexed pregnancies using either pre-sorted frozen semen or reverse-sorted semen.
Know the costs before you start
ET is not an inexpensive technology, and producers should carefully evaluate whether it fits their goals and resources before beginning a program. A complete donor cycle involves housing, feed and labor for the donor during synchronization and collection or OPU. Supply expenses including hormones, semen and estrus detection aids should be included in the cost analysis.
Facilities, labor and management required to synchronize recipient cows are also critical to program success and profitability. In my experience, the quality of recipient management has the greatest influence on pregnancy success rates.
Producers should also recognize that embryonic and early fetal loss rates are generally higher in IVF programs than in conventional ET systems or traditional breeding programs. As a result, producers may experience a slightly higher percentage of late-calving or open cows.
Where ET for commercial cattle can create value
Opportunities for commercial producers to increase profits through ET depend largely on whether additional genetic merit translates into measurable value in the marketplace. This is most achievable when cattle are retained through the feeding stage or when producers market genetically superior bred females.
Opportunities also exist for commercial cattle producers to partner with seedstock breeders or show cattle programs by raising ET calves on contract. Typical premiums currently range from $500 to $1,000 per healthy, blemish-free weaned calf. These arrangements can be particularly effective for producers who already have the facilities, labor and management systems in place.
Recipient cow management matters
Recipients require a level of management intensity that many commercial cow-calf operations are not set up for. Successful synchronization and accurate heat detection are key, as are facilities capable of handling animals multiple times with minimal stress.
Developing a relationship with a veterinarian certified by the American Embryo Transfer Association can be very helpful in supporting an ET program and may be required to maintain certain embryo purchase or pregnancy guarantees.
In my experience, 4- to 8-year-old cows make the best recipients, although younger and older cows can perform well in properly managed herds.
In some situations, recipient cows can be purchased. However, when purchasing recipient females through private treaty or livestock auctions, we find that approximately 30% are eliminated before synchronization even begins. Cows may be unsuitable because they are already pregnant, test positive for Johne’s disease, bovine leukosis virus or BVD, or have reproductive tract issues such as uterine adhesions.
Furthermore, it is common for 10-15% of healthy, well-managed cows to fall outside acceptable parameters on transfer day and therefore become ineligible to receive an embryo. These factors must all be considered when using a commercial herd as recipients.
Recordkeeping is also critical. Whether raising ET calves for your own operation or for sale back to embryo owners, accurate records are essential. Most seedstock producers require birth dates, birth weights and weaning weights at a minimum. Calves are also typically expected to be free of defects, including frozen ears, frozen tails and pinkeye scarring.
Is ET the right fit?
Embryo transfer can be both profitable and practical for commercial cattle producers, but only under the right conditions.
For herds working toward genetic improvement, success ultimately depends on the operation’s ability to capture value from those genetics through marketing, efficiency gains and improved production. For herds participating as cooperators for other operations, producers should consider whether they are receiving IVF or conventional embryos and what pregnancy rates they can realistically expect from each.
The technology rewards producers with sound facilities, strong recipient management, reliable veterinary support and the financial flexibility to absorb occasional disappointments. For operations lacking those advantages, or for producers pursuing ET without a clear genetic or marketing objective, the costs and management demands can outweigh the benefits.
Embryo transfer is a high-variance investment with the potential to significantly improve both herd genetics and profitability. In the right operation, it can accelerate genetic progress by years; in the wrong operation, it can simply increase costs.