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WHY CLONE?
Cloning technology can expand the reproductive potential of the best animals, allowing breeders to keep up with demand for their semen, embryos and offspring. Cloning is a valuable tool in any strategic breeding program because it can more quickly and precisely extend elite genetics for additional embryo or semen production, increased breeding opportunities, protection from untimely loss of superior individuals, and more generational influence of producers’ best genetics. By cloning the most elite animals, with the most sought-after genetics or greater disease resistance, breeders can advance the efficiency, quality and consistency of their meat and milk production. With cattle, there are always chances for unexpected events that cause injury or death. When an animal is gone, its unique and valuable genetics vanish. These tragic events can be costly, and cattle of the highest-caliber are irreplaceable. Through the use of genetic preservation, valuable cell lines and genetic influence are never lost. By collecting a simple tissue sample, Bovance can preserve an animal’s DNA and store it indefinitely. When the time is right to bring back that animal’s genetics; Bovance then can help create a new cloned animal with the same genetics as the original. Under what circumstances might I want to clone my animals? Through cloning, you can duplicate the animals that contribute the most value to your herd and forward your goals to extend elite genetics. For a winning show steer, cloning would enable you to bring the steer back as an intact bull to be used for breeding purposes. A prized bucking bull could be cloned to keep one animal just for breeding (live cover or AI), while the original bull stays on the grueling rodeo circuit. A top donor cow or sire may not be able to keep up with embryo or semen demands. Cloning them would allow you to work with multiple copies of the valuable genetics, increasing mating options. A deceased animal can still influence the genetic potential of your herd by living on through a genetic twin or clone.
What is my first step in cloning? To discuss individual needs and discover the most opportune uses for bovine cloning technology, contact your Trans Ova Genetics client service representative at 800-999-3586 or Bovance at 877-4-BOVANCE. Producers interested in genetically preserving an elite animal can also call these numbers to obtain a tissue sample kit. This will provide instructions and tools to take an ear sample needed to create a cell line used in the genetic preservation. What do I need to do if I want to make calves from my donor’s cell line? If you have already created a genetic preservation of your donor animal, call Trans Ova Genetics at 1-800-999-3586 or Bovance at 877-4-BOVANCE to speak to a sales representative about prices and calving dates that are available. We will then transfer a specified number of embryos to create the requested number of calves from your cell line, for delivery on or near the calving date you request. A genetic copy agreement must be signed and returned along with a 25 percent down payment before any work is completed.
How do I take a sample on the animal I wish to copy? Tissue Sample Kit Instructions
How long can a sample be out before it arrives at the lab? The sample must be cooled immediately after being taken and arrive at the lab within 24 hours of removal. As the time increases from the ear biopsy, the success of a cell line decreases. All samples should be shipped first priority overnight or hand delivered to the Sioux Center, Iowa or Austin, Texas labs. If arrival of a weekend sample is necessary, make sure you have informed the Bovance General Manager (712-441-3193) of its impending day of arrival and carrier. Changes in destination may be necessary depending on staff availability.
Will the clone calves look like the original animal? Clone calves will be the same sex and genetically identical to the original animal. They may vary slightly in appearance. For example, some calves are born heavier or lighter than the original animal’s birth weight, and there may also be variation in color pattern if the original animal is spotted. There are additional environmental factors that contribute to the adult appearance of any cloned calf. These factors can include date of birth, nutrition, illnesses, etc.
Can clone animals, their calves, semen and embryos be sold? Yes, clone animals and their offspring or semen and embryos may be sold to other producers. However, the USDA has asked producers to participate in a voluntary moratorium, refraining from placing clone animals, their meat and milk, in the food chain. In January of 2008, the FDA green lighted the sale of the offspring of clones, their meat and milk, into the food chain. The offspring of cloned animals are not clones themselves, but rather, are born from the mating of two parents. Bovance has also helped create the Supply Chain Management Program to track cloned animals when changing ownership in such situations.
What is the Supply Management Program and why was it developed? The Supply Chain Management program (SCM) establishes protocols that uniquely identify any animals produced through cloning. This program allows for the consistent and accurate tracking of these animals throughout their lifetimes. The program was developed so food processing companies and other food chain organizations can ensure the products they market do not include animals born through the use of cloning technology. The offspring of clones are not included in the SCM program because they are not clones.
How does the system work? Bovance will give each animal produced through cloning technology a unique identification. Radio frequency identification (RFID) ear tags that are National Animal Identification System (NAIS)-compliant, will be entered into a registry, thus allowing verification by the livestock auction market or packer/ processor.
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CONTACT MEDIA CONTACT media@bovance.com |
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