buying frozen embryos

[Hodgie76]

I am considering buying three frozen embryos. This would be our the first time doing this. It's  a difficult decision. The time and money involved are a concern, on the other hand we could advance our pure bred genetics tremendously. If I would do this I would buy three reasonably priced frozen embryos from a breeders with  a good reputation. They would also have to come from a collection center with a good reputation. We plan on feeding the cows the same before and after implanting. Any other tips for a high success rate. Is it worth the risk?

 

[firesweepranch]

I buy embryos. We put them in our best cows. we found our conception went way up when we switched to Vitaferm Conceptaid. We I only use natural heats on our cows, and our embryologist comes out 7 days after the cow is standing to put them in. So no traveling for the cow. We usually get two of the three to stick, but have had a few instances of the straw exploding when the vet put it in the thermos, so that is a loss on all ends. I have bought over 20 sets of embryos (a set of 3 or more), and have never had to make a claim of them not sticking. Out of three Lock N Load embryos I bought from Lazy H, I have three calves in the ground. Of 5 Club King embryos I got from Jeff Miller, I have put 4 in and have 4 live calves on the ground to show for it. I have many more stories like that...so it can be done.
Best case senerio is to treat your recips like you treat your best cows, and use natural heats when possible.

 

[jbzdad]

one more thing about embryos...

if this a new exciting mating for a breeder .. go for it


if it is a proven mating with proven hi percentage results... go for it

if the mating is a few cycles old and some were used... "just never got around to implanting the rest".. well maybe not those  if the results were so great why didn't they use them ???

 

[Auburnviewfarms]

Fires weep do you have any pics of the club King calves we have a baldy bred with sexed heifer and are wondering how they do.

 

[Hodgie76]

Thanks for the good info. Is this process less successful if its hot, like A.I.?

 

[Diamond]

I will second the Vitaferm Conceptaid, what a difference it makes. I cycle my cows to put the embryos in, and have had great results. For me, the most affordable way to improve my cattle was to invest in embryos.

 

[firesweepranch]

Fires weep do you have any pics of the club King calves we have a baldy bred with sexed heifer and are wondering how they do.

Below is a few pics. The calf pics is the genetic match I bought from Jeff Miller, Club King x 3/4 dream on cow. Of 5 embryos, we have put 4 in. Of those 4, we have had 3 bulls and 1 heifer. The pics are of the heifer. I am unable to find a show pic of her, but she is a meat wagon. Her fault was not enough rib, not deep enough. She is bred to calve in March. The bull calves sold as bulls. One bull was sold as an embryo in a cow, and now sure what ended up happening to him.
The one cow pictured alone is a Club King x Ebony Joy embryo cow we bought. She is three, and raising her second calf (an Upgrade heifer) that will be my son's show heifer for next year. The cow is doing a great job raising the calf.
Club King calves have a different look. They tend to be more brown and less black (see the pics). The calves were all born more of a grey color than black. But they all have the same head. Same shape! He stamps his calves, that is for sure!

 

[firesweepranch]

Thanks for the good info. Is this process less successful if its hot, like A.I.?

We put embryos in from November to May, but not usually beyond that. Only because that is what works for us. We seem to get better conception in the fall than the spring, might be weather related.