Applying Advanced Breeding Technologies to Amplify and Distribute Bovine Genetics to Increase Production Efficiency and Sustainability

This project will apply advanced breeding technologies to amplify and distribute bovine genetics to increase production efficiency and sustainability.
Strand 1;- Utilisation of "ovum pickup" (OPU) and "in-vitro embryo production" (IVP) to accelerate the speed of genetic gain in cattle (3 times faster than "multiple ovulation embryo transfer" (MOET) and 12 times faster than conventional breeding). There is a need to; improve reliability and consistency of embryo production; improve efficacy of sexed semen in IVF; develop "quick thaw" systems; expand the network of collection and transfer centres; create a route to export for sexed, frozen embryos.
Strand 2;- Development of robust techniques to allow rapid, affordable, real-time assessment of bovine fertility interventions; identify criteria within the OPU/IVP system that act as fertility markers.