Teagasc’s research explores using slaughterhouse-sourced ovaries from beef-breed and dairy-beef cross dams as a cost-effective oocyte resource for advanced dairy breeding. Presented in Co. Wexford, Ireland, the research highlights reproductive technologies like in-vitro embryo production (IVP) and multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET), addressing productivity and sustainability. Regulatory and cost hurdles remain, but there is potential for future integration into commercial systems.
New research from Teagasc, Ireland’s Agriculture and Food Development Authority, suggests that using ovaries collected post-slaughter from beef-breed and dairy-beef cross dams could become a cost-effective and high-throughput method for sourcing donor oocytes to advance dairy cow breeding. This research was presented by Teagasc reproductive physiology research officer, Stephen Butler, during the Dairy-Beef Conference in Co. Wexford.
The paper, titled Harnessing Reproductive Technologies to Accelerate Integration of the Dairy and Beef Sectors, emphasizes how reproductive advancements could improve both productivity and sustainability within seasonal-calving dairy systems. Given the critical need to maximize pasture use for both milk and beef production, these reproductive innovations are highly relevant to Ireland’s agriculture industry. Technologies such as sex-sorted semen and in-vitro embryo production (IVP) are increasingly being employed to enhance efficiency, while also addressing welfare concerns, particularly the issue of male dairy calves.
ARTs, like multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET) and IVP, were highlighted for their potential to accelerate genetic progress. Butler noted that these technologies could help optimize genetic traits more rapidly than traditional breeding methods, benefiting both dairy and beef herds. However, he outlined significant hurdles that need to be addressed, including regulatory challenges and the costs associated with these technologies.
Under current Irish regulations, oocyte and embryo usage for cattle reproduction requires strict veterinarian oversight, ensuring that the herd has remained free from Bovine Tuberculosis and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) for the preceding 12 months. Additionally, donor cows must show no clinical signs of disease on the day of oocyte collection. These health and safety standards are critical but may slow down widespread adoption.
Cost remains a major barrier, with IVP embryos significantly more expensive than traditional artificial insemination (AI) straws. Even with mass production, the expense of embryo transfer remains a challenge, as it involves more time, specialized training, and greater expertise compared to AI. The process’s complexity and additional costs could deter farmers from adopting these technologies in the short term.
Despite these obstacles, Butler remains optimistic that as technology evolves and economies of scale improve, the integration of advanced reproductive methods in commercial beef and dairy production could become more feasible. Teagasc’s research continues to explore ways to make these innovations more accessible, contributing to the overall goal of enhancing Ireland’s agricultural efficiency and sustainability.
