Darling Downs unlocking IVF access
In a transformed dairy facility on Queensland’s Darling Downs, John Hurley and his team at Oakey Bovine Breeding Services are breaking new ground by enabling access to elite cattle genetics through their partnership with global leader Vytelle.
Oakey Bovine Breeding Services founder Mr John Hurley emphasised the strategic advantage of their location and partnership with Vytelle, a global precision livestock company specialising in hormone-free in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
“Being based on the Darling Downs, we service a vast area from Northern New South Wales to Western and Northern Queensland, offering a closer and more convenient fertility option for many producers,” he explained.
Interest from far and wide
Historically, transporting fresh embryos across Australia’s northern regions has been challenging, but Vytelle’s frozen embryo technology has surmounted this challenge. Combined with Oakey Bovine Breeding Services’ strategic location off the Warrego Highway, the facility is now attracting cattle from up to a thousand kilometers away.
“The frozen embryo process allows us to service vast distances without compromising quality,” Mr Hurley said. “Our location right on the edge of Oakey makes us incredibly accessible, and we can accommodate producers’ needs with flexible agistment options (also known as donor housing) – from short-term stays of just a day or two, right through to six-month programs where cattle undergo egg collection every fortnight.” The result has been ‘overwhelming’ interest in their service.
IVF without the hassle
Vytelle’s all-natural, hormone-free IVF process offers multiple benefits. It allows egg collection from both open and pregnant cows, even those up to four months in calf. “Producers love the idea of Vytelle’s hormone-free collection process,” says Mr Hurley.
The process is easier on animals, reducing stress and offering more frequent collections. With weekly collection capabilities, Vytelle’s IVF method is not only more efficient but also more cost-effective due to the outcome based pricing structure where producers only pay for grade 1 embryos produced. “For producers, the ability to drop off cattle in the morning and leave the same day makes the process simple and convenient,” he added.
Recipient program to drive growth
Oakey Bovine Breeding Services is looking to expand its offerings by introducing a recipient (recip) program, allowing clients to have eggs implanted in recipient cows.
“Basically we collect the eggs, charge them for the service and then hand over a healthy calf about 18 months later,” Mr Hurley explained. The facility will agist the recipient cows, and clients can simply pick up their calves once ready.
This new service is part of the company’s growing demand. “We would like to see this facility used to its capacity, and it’s very quickly looking that way,” Mr Hurley adds. The response has been unprecedented, with bookings filling up within just a couple of months of opening. Their recent social media push has also amplified interest, leading to a “phenomenal” increase in uptake.
As the facility continues to expand, Oakey Bovine is positioning itself as a key player in breeding services for the region. By offering Vytelle’s innovative, hormone-free IVF processes and a recipient cow program, they are meeting the growing demand for efficient and cost-effective cattle reproduction for producers once limited by distance and logistics.
