Scanning cows reveals embryos should not be transferred to recipients weighing 300kgs
10 Feb 2013We visited a number of farms in Co. Limerick, where embryo transfer involving Angus, Charolais and Limousin heifers were conducted in November and December. We were scanning the recipients to establish the viability of pregnancies and to record foetal development, for retrospective assessment of growth rate. Cows DNA have developed the technology whereby accurate measurements of the foetus can be conducted in the womb. We ultimately hope to correlate this data with performance figures when the calves are born.
One of our findings to date is the creation of a ‘Lazy Calf Syndrome’ and joint problems, associated with cramping of the calves in the later stages of gestation when undersized recipients are used.