Bar H has just recently undergone an embryo transfer (ET) program with 'The Repro Group' from Allora. The program took 19 days to complete and consisted of 2 mobs that started one day apart from each other. In each mob there were 7 donors and just over 80 recipient cattle. 

Mob 1 donors consisted of a number of poll and purebred cattle, these were AI'ed to BAR R 52Y (PB13914)(P) with the intention to create polled females. Mob 2 donors consisted of fullblood cattle which were artificially inseminated (AI'ed) to a variation of bulls, consisting of Yasafuku Jnr KB1271, Shigeshigetani, Itoshigenami, Itomichi ½, and Blackmore Aizatzurudoi Y398. Some of these joinings are new combinations to the Bar H herd, and have been specifically generated with the intention to create both males and females. 

Donor mob 1 excelled producing a total 82 transferrable eggs between them which allowed every recipients to receive a fresh embryo. Close to 65% of these embryos were quality A and the other 35% quality B. Donor mob 2 didn’t respond as well, producing less than 50% of what donor mob 1 did. Whilst somewhat disappointing, this allowed us to use some frozen embryos, both homegrown and purchased, reintroducing some exciting genetics to the herd. 

Graphs 1 and 2, a comparison of the quality of fresh embryos transferred between Mob 1 donors and recipients, and Mob 2 donors and recipients. Graph 3, a comparison of how many embryos the donors in Mob 1 flushed, compared to Mob 2.

In total, there were 163 recips selected based upon the following variables; 

• Aged 3-3.5 years old – they have proven their fertility and size, however they’re still young enough to carry an embryo with ease. 
• Wagyu groups F2 and F3 - they have the benefits of the fertility that accompanies the Wagyu breed, even though they will have lower content than a full blood or pure bred, they will produce more milk, calve easier and are proven mothers. 
• They're proven cattle, and if an embryo doesn't take, then a mop up bull will still produce an extremely good calf, that fits in with our production guide. 

An interesting moment during our program was on flush day 2, where Peter Atkinson from ‘The Repro Group’ and his staff realised that six excess embryos from the day before had been incubated for over 24 hours and grown nearly two stages over night. As an experiment for both of us, we decided to implant these embryos into a select group of recipient animals, which are being closely monitored to track how these embryos grow. This is an exciting collaboration for our business. 

Peter believes he is experiencing the most business he’s ever seen, he says that “during the drought it slowed down a bit, but last year was the biggest year we have ever done”. ET in cattle is becoming more realistic and accessible for wagyu breeders, not to mention how much it’s demonstrating to improve people’s herd.

Some of the following joins were flushed and transferred during our ET program:

By Que Hornery

BAR4C249 X IMUFQT148 - The reason these two animals were joined was because of C249’s blend of genetics that opens all doors. Having my favorite bloodlines in (DM100 & J003) allows this cow to be joined to anything. C249’s progenies have out preformed the average weaning weight for us and she always shows mass milk supply, even at 15yrs of age. TF148 was selected to produce us either a female or male.

BARFK1634 X WKSFS0100 – This is an exciting join for our business, I chose this because of this massive cow’s high growth and milk traits throughout her genetic makeup, allows in a 100% Tajima bull like Yasafuku Jnr. This joining makes available a very balanced Wagyu progeny male or female. – her previous three generations in growth and milk accepts that bull

Y3272 X BRCPG0052 – This is an unusual join, with Y3272 not being registered with the AWA, she has proven to be an asset to the Bar H herd. The reason these two animals were joined was because to focus on a poll purebred that are bred, born, and grown in Central Queensland. Near 10 years ago we purchased some of Lock Rodgers Wattle Top Angus F1’s, for this project, I AI’ed Itoshigenami, Mahashi, Katusumi, Kanyhama, Michitatsu and Itozurudio to these F1 cows, to establish a strong F2 female foundation. Y3272 is by TF151, and to infuse 52Y with this pedigree is an exciting join.