Genetics success from transplanted embryos

New genetics from Canada of milking shorthorns through embryo transfer are in a Manawatu calf shed.

Hiwinui dairy farmer David Wood said seven embryos were carried in beef cows and three were yet to be born. Four had been born, three bull calves and a heifer.

"The whole idea was to bring in new genetics for my herd," Wood said.

There are few herds of milking shorthorns in New Zealand; most dairy cows are jersey, holstein friesian or a cross.

The sire of the embryos was Kulp- Gen Jurist ACE and the embryos were flushed from the Canadian cow Oceanbrae n Missy.

Wood is hopeful the unborn embryos will be heifers and go into his herd.

The bulls and heifer are not named yet, but Wood thinks the week-old heifer will be Northbrook Missy, named after her mother.

The bulls will stay on the farm, with hairs sent to Canada to check their breeding worth.

The Hawke's Bay-based company, EmbryoCo, transplanted 10 embryos and seven took - a success, Wood said.

Read the original here:
Genetics success from transplanted embryos