Next level genetics through technology

Predictability and sustainability equals genetic stability. These are the three cornerstones of Chippy Watson's breeding programmes at Vova Genetics.

- By Izak Hofmeyr

Chippy started his Vova Beefmasters stud in 2011 on the farm Glenside on the banks of the uMzimkhulu river near Underberg. In 2012 he also started the Vova Droughtmaster stud. His aim is to produce hardy, fertile cattle with good milking ability that deliver a small calf and produce excellent weaners that also perform in the feedlot and reduce labour costs.

The only way to make sure the industry remains profitable in the long term, he believes, is to introduce the best genetics possible and to improve management systems. Commercial cattlemen in South Africa will survive by cutting costs, generating higher prices, and running functionally efficient cattle.

Embryo flushing

From the outset, he used embryo technology in a bid to establish the best genetics in his herd as quickly as possible. Since around 2017, he has relied exclusively on frozen in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Currently, his success rate with IVF is around 51% with some programme results as high as 80%.

"The older embryo flushing techniques were harsh on cows, with too much disruption to the cows for my liking. IVF, on the other hand, is far less invasive. You can start collecting the oocytes from 30 days after calving up to three and a half months into pregnancy. So, you can get your cows pregnant while collecting oocytes."

Chippy uses In Vitro Africa in Parys in the Free State. Although individual cows differ greatly, he gets an average of approximately eight embryos per cow per collection using the IVF technology. He finds that the production and viability of embryos very much runs in family lines, meaning if a mother produces many oocytes, her daughters will more than likely also be productive.

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