Cattle Genetics Through Embryo Transfer and IVF | Cattlemen & Veterinarians
Welcome back to Cattlemen & Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health, powered by American Cattlemen Media. Today, join hosts Kaid Panek and Dr. Shynia Peterman as they sit down with Dr. Ryan Fairbairn, DVM, of Trans Ova Genetics to explore the rapidly evolving world of bovine embryo transfer and Cattle Genetics.
Dr. Fairbairn shares how his upbringing on a small Angus cow-calf operation in Pennsylvania inspired his interest in reproductive physiology and biotechnology. After graduating from Purdue University’s veterinary school in 2015, he joined Trans Ova Genetics, where he now serves as professional services manager for the Western region.
Throughout the conversation, Dr. Fairbairn explains how embryo transfer can help cattle producers accelerate genetic improvement, multiply the influence of their best donor cows, and make better use of recipient females. He walks listeners through conventional embryo flushing, including superovulation, breeding, collection, grading, freezing, and fresh transfer. He then compares that process with IVF, explaining how technicians collect unfertilized oocytes directly from a donor’s ovaries before fertilizing and developing them in a laboratory.
The discussion breaks down the advantages and limitations of both methods. Conventional flushing may offer lower costs, stronger conception rates with fresh embryos, and easier access to international markets. IVF can provide faster collection intervals, use less semen, work effectively with sexed semen, and allow producers to collect oocytes from pregnant donors during an appropriate window of gestation.
Dr. Fairbairn also explains embryo staging and grading, factors that influence embryo quality, and why donor performance should help determine the best collection strategy. Just as importantly, he emphasizes that recipient cows cannot be treated as an afterthought. Proper body condition, nutrition, mineral supplementation, vaccination, low-stress handling, and thoughtful synchronization are all critical to a successful pregnancy.
The episode also examines the growing accessibility of IVF through Trans Ova’s laboratories, satellite locations, on-farm collections, and partnering veterinarians. Whether producers want to preserve genetics from a favorite cow, purchase elite embryos, select for heifer or bull calves, or advance an entire herd, this episode provides a practical introduction to reproductive technology and the planning required to use it successfully in commercial and seedstock cattle operations across America today.
For Future or Previous episodes visit our websites:
Cattlemen and Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health Sponsored by:
