NZ Dairy Winter 2021

| 75 nz dairy DAIRY PEOPLE » David Fullerton Waipiri Holstein’s David and Pip Fullerton with sons Alex and Dean. IN ALL AREAS OF REPRODUCTION • Semen collection on farm and on centre • Embryo production, by IVP or MOET (flushing) • Bull fertility testing JACQUI FORSYTH 027 472 7231 | JOHN HEPBURN 027 280 1805 | MARIELA ROBLEDO 022 1708 724 When it comes to reproductive technologies applicable to the livestock breeding industry, Animal Breeding Services (ABS) o ers plenty of options. For example when it comes to embryo transfer farmers have the choice of Moet or IVP. ABS general manager Jacqui Forsyth says IVP isthe more popular option due to a range of bene its including no requirement to pre-treat cows, minimal e ect on a cow’s reproductive activity and fast results as it can be performed regularly andmultiple bulls can be used over a donor. The technology is also safe for yearlings and pregnant cows up to threemonths. Through its relationship with Bellevue Enterprises ABS also runs a recipient cow herd to put embryos inmeaning that it can o er breeders a full service. ABS has been operating from its Hamilton base since 1996. The range of technologies o ered also includes semen collection, arti icial insemination and semen and embryo exports. ABS employs around 30 sta in laboratory and ield functions. International reach includes subsidiary Animal Breeding Australia and a sizeable stake in AB Europe. Jacqui says that the scale of the business means ABS has the capacity to service even the very large jobs. ABS is constantly investing in order to o er its clients an even better Breeding excellence with ABS service. It has recently built a new herd home at its Strawberry Fields Lane semen collection facility at Cambridge capable of housing 100 animals to complement an existing similar sized herd home. This means this season that is coming up ABS will have increased ability to house donors. Also by centralising this service it means ABS can collect animals for clients more regularly. Better animal health through animals being able to be cared for in a more focused way means better overall results, says Jacqui. The IVP lab has the ability to take samples fromembryos, enablingwide-scale genetic embryo testing. Jacqui says this gives farmers and breeding companies valuable information to determine factors such as high geneticmerit, sex and the ability to target speci ic genetic traits. Through the strategic partnership ABS has with Bellevue Enterprises, ABS can arrange recipient provision for farmers at a recipient farm at Te Miro and the resulting embryo calves can be born and reared at Bellevue Dairy farm. Jacqui says ABS has established it’s success on building long-term relationships with its valued clients includingWaipiri Holsteins. It aims to continue to service clients’ needs both now and into the future. Contact us to discuss options