Abstract #368

# 368
Advantages of current and future reproductive technologies for beef cattle production.
G. Cliff Lamb*1, Vitor R. G. Mercadante1, Darren D. Henry1, Pedro L. P. Fontes1, Nicolas DiLorenzo1, 1North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Marianna, FL.

The refinement of current and development of new technologies aimed at increasing the productivity of the resources while minimizing the environmental impact will be critical to meet the global food demand in the near future. During the past 50 years assisted reproductive technologies have been developed and refined to increase the prolificacy and quality of calves from beef females. Artificial insemination (AI), estrous synchronization and fixed-time AI (TAI), semen and embryo cryopreservation, multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET), in vitro fertilization, sex determination of sperm or embryos, and nuclear transfer are technologies that are used to enhance the production efficiency of beef systems. Development and implementation of these technologies is responsible for significant changes to world production of beef. Sales of beef semen for AI increased from 3.3 to 13.0 million units between 1993 and 2010 in Brazil, whereas that in the US has increased from 2.9 to 4.4 million units during the same period, likely as a result of the development of practical TAI systems that have allowed beef producers the opportunity to eliminate detection of estrus in their AI programs with a high degree of success. Similarly, the quantity of in vivo produced embryos transferred worldwide has increased from 361,000 in 1997 to 506,000 in 2012. In addition, during the last 15 years the transfer of in vitro produced embryos has increased more than 300%. Incorporating applied reproductive technologies continues to affect beef cattle production systems by providing producers opportunities to enhance genetics, reduce transfer of disease, advance fertility, and ultimately increase offspring value. Improvements in fertility and technology, reductions in cost, and improvements in ease of application will ensure that more cattle producers will adopt applied reproductive technologies in future years. However, incorporation of applied reproductive technologies into production systems will vary worldwide depending on cattle markets, infrastructure, production systems, and climate.

Key Words: beef cattle, reproductive technology, fertility

Speaker Bio
G. Cliff Lamb is currently the Assistant Director and Professor at the North Florida Research and Education Center at the University of Florida.  He received his B.S. in Animal Science from Middle Tennessee State University in 1992. He completed the requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees at Kansas State University in 1996 and 1998, respectively. His primary research efforts focus on applied reproductive physiology in cattle emphasizing synchronization of estrus in replacement heifers and postpartum cows.  In 2013, Dr. Lamb and 6 colleagues received the USDA-NIFA Partnership Award for Multistate Efforts for their Extension efforts in reproductive management. He also was recently awarded the University of Florida Research Foundation Professorship, received the Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents Specialist of the Year Award, and was named University of Florida Department of Animal Science Graduate Student Mentor Awardee.  His programs have received more than $7 million in grant funds or gifts.  He has published more than 88 refereed journal articles, along with more than 370 extension and research reports.  In addition, he has served as advisor or co-advisor to 15 graduate students and on the committees of another 14 students.