The sixth session on the second day of the 2024 Livestock Registering Federation (LRF) Stockman School continued with some hard-core technical topics. First off, Andries Wiese of Hollard Insure, one of the sponsors of the Stockman School, discussed some insurance dilemmas and possible solutions from the perspective of the insurance industry. He stressed the fact that insuring your assets must form part of the bigger financial plan and should be fit for purpose. He explained two possible routes to follow that should serve livestock producers well. The first is known as alternative risk transfers, and the second as index insurance.
Insurance can be extremely complicated, he said, but a good insurance policy should be purposeful, contemporary, not too elaborate, and provide peace of mind.
The stockman’s guide to IVF success
Breeding a resilient herd quicker using hormone free in vitro fertilisation (IVF) – that was the topic addressed by Lisa Rumsfeld of Vytelle, also a Stockman School sponsor. The aim, she explained, is to multiply optimal genetics for herd resilience by selecting and breeding more cattle that are adaptable and capable of thriving under various environmental and management conditions.
Optimal genetics for herd resilience, she said, include disease resistance, environmental adaptability, improved reproductive efficiency, feed efficiency and growth, enhanced heat tolerance, longevity and durability, drought and water resilience, and a better immune system and stress response.
IVF, she pointed out, offers higher production from one animal in a shorter time, and shortens the generational interval. Pregnant animals can also be aspirated. This offers maximum use of especially rare or valuable semen, the same donor can be mated with different sires, and it can be combined with other technologies such as sexed semen and genomic evaluation. In addition, frozen embryos can be used with great success to overcome logistical challenges.
Compounding effect of genetic progress
In conclusion, she stressed that genetic progress is a compounding and lasting solution, and that modern IVF technology can accelerate progress. IVF is a powerful tool that can be used to enhance both animal welfare and operational resilience. It can improve genetic diversity and streamline breeding practices.
“The quality and resilience of breeding stock,” she concluded, “directly influence the profitability of commercial herds.” – Izak Hofmeyr, Plaas Media
