Few topics spark more discussion in Wagyu breeding than in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Pregnancy rates and the true commercial value of the technology are hot topics no matter what breeder network you’re in.
At WagyuEdge 2026 in Brisbane from April 15-17, Vytelle’s Vice President of Operations, Dr Bruno Sanches will swap speculation for data as industry leaders gather to explore the future of the world’s most sought after beef breed.
A veterinarian and reproductive specialist with a PhD in animal reproduction, Dr Sanches has spent his career working inside commercial IVF systems across several countries. His keynote will combine global datasets from both U.S. and Australian producers.
Dr Sanches is on a mission to make it clear on what’s actually happening in embryo technology worldwide and what it means for Wagyu producers making breeding decisions today.
IVF isn’t emerging, it’s dominant
One of the clearest trends Dr Sanches will present is the speed at which IVF has reshaped global embryo production.
Over the past decade IVF has transitioned from a specialised reproductive tool into the primary driver of embryo growth worldwide.
Today, IVF tech is the technology of choice when it comes to embryo production. Eighty-seven per cent of the 2.3M global embryos produced in 2024 are made with IVF not MOET.
The result is a structural shift in how genetics are multiplied. Less than a decade ago IVF and MOET represented comparable shares of embryo production. Today, IVF accounts for the overwhelming majority of embryos produced globally. It’s a change not driven by novelty but by consistency.
“IVF isn’t growing because it’s fashionable,” Dr Sanches said. “It’s growing because producers are seeing predictable and repeatable results when programs are managed correctly.”
For Wagyu breeders whose businesses depend on accelerating elite genetics, that shift carries big implications.
A booming global embryo market by the numbers
IVF has evolved from an alternative option into the main driver of genetic progress worldwide. It hasn’t replaced embryo transfer but it has made breeding programs more flexible. More donors can contribute, genetic gain happens faster and producers can make smarter decisions about when and where genetics are used.
- 2.3 MILLION
Total embryos produced globally in 2024, up from 1.5 million in 2020. - +800,000 EMBRYOS
Growth in global embryo production over four years driven almost entirely by IVF. - 87% IVF
Share of global embryo production attributed to IVF in 2024. - 1.1M to 2M
IVF embryo production nearly doubled between 2020 and 2024. - MOET DECLINING
Conventional MOET embryos fell from 360,000 (2020) to approximately 300,000 (2024).
*Source: International Embryo Technology Society.
Pregnancy outcomes drive adoption
Embryo production numbers only matter if they lead to pregnancies and that’s where the global data really kicks in.
Pregnancies from embryo transfer are now the fastest growing part of cattle reproduction worldwide.
Between 2020 and 2024, embryo-based pregnancies grew by about 20 per cent each year. Over the same period, pregnancies from artificial insemination increased only slightly, around 2 per cent annually, while conventional breeding slipped backwards.
The trend isn’t slowing. From 2025 to 2028, embryo pregnancies are expected to keep growing at roughly 13 per cent per year, while other reproductive methods remain largely flat.
Dr Sanches said the shift reflects more than better lab technology. Producers are also getting better at managing recipients and integrating IVF into breeding plans.
“What we’re seeing now is not experimentation,” he said. “It’s adoption at scale.”
Geography or management?
One of the most anticipated parts of the Dr Sanches’ WagyuEdge session will address a long-running industry debate about whether IVF programs perform differently across countries.
Australian producers often hear that U.S. pregnancy rates are stronger. American breeders sometimes assume Wagyu donors are inherently more difficult than other breeds.
Dr Sanches’ analysis suggests geography plays a far smaller role than management.
Drawing on commercial datasets, his presentation examines how nutrition, recipient selection, embryo handling and program consistency influence outcomes far more than location alone.
The same applies to another common question about whether Angus recipients outperform Wagyu as recipients.
Instead of pointing to a single best approach, the data shows that success comes down to fit, matching the right recipient type to the environment, management system and breeding goals. Even small changes in how a program is run can make a difference to results.
Looking past the myths
Wagyu has long been a breed surrounded by strong opinions, particularly when new technologies emerge. IVF has been no exception.
Questions remain about donor responsiveness, frozen versus fresh embryo performance, and how sexed semen influences outcomes. Dr Sanches’ keynote aims to ground those discussions in measurable evidence rather than anecdote.
“We’re going to look at the real numbers and look at what’s working around the world,” he said. “And just as importantly, share practical lessons and small management tweaks that drive better results.”
The session is built around practical outcomes. Beyond the data, attendees will gain clear guidance on program design and management decisions that can improve outcomes without adding huge cost.
Why this matters now
Demand for premium genetics is growing even as producers face pressure to lift efficiency and sustainability. IVF allows breeders to make more of their best females, a key advantage in Wagyu.
With embryo technology now leading reproduction worldwide, using it well is becoming essential, not optional.
WagyuEdge’26 arrives at a moment when the industry is moving beyond asking whether IVF works to asking how to make it work better. And according to Dr Sanches, the answers already exist inside the data.
About Vytelle
Vytelle is a precision livestock company helping cattle producers fast track genetic gain with confidence. Through data-driven reproductive technology, Vytelle removes the guesswork from breeding and mating decisions to deliver faster measurable progress.
Media contact: Lisa Rumsfeld, Vice President of Global Sales: [email protected]