Making BETTER Bovine Babies is a podcast aimed at educating, inspiring and at times entertaining anyone who is passionate about breeding better cattle (and more of them).
Produced by Vetoquinol’s Repro360 team, we share some of the stories, knowledge and expertise from cattle vets, AI Technicians and producers around the country as well as some fundamenals from our own team as we delve into the fascinating world of ‘making better bovine babies’.
Embryo Transfer and IVF: Insights from Dr. Rory Nevard, University of Sydney
In this episode, Dr. Rory Nevard from the University of Sydney shares his expertise on cattle reproduction, comparing Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer (MOET) and In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).
We explore differences in adoption and outcomes betweenAustralia and the United States, expected results from fresh and frozen embryos, and current research into IVF protocols.
Rory also discusses the pros and cons of using FSH, future innovations in reproductive technologies, and practical advice for breeders considering ET or IVF for the first time.
11 Jul 2025
Stimulated In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) in Cattle: Why Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Matters
In this episode of Making Better Bovine Babies, Dr. Don Strazzeri, Technical Services Veterinarian at Vetoquinol, breaks down the fundamentals of bovine IVF (also known as IVP) and how it compares to conventional embryo transfer methods.
The spotlight is on stimulated IVF—specifically, how using FSH can improve embryo quality, success rates, and cost-effectiveness in modern breeding programs. Whether you're an experienced breeder or new to assisted reproductive technologies, this episode offers a clear, practical guide to optimizing your IVF protocols.
Topics covered include:
What bovine IVF (IVP) involves and how it compares to conventional embryo transfer (MOET)
Step-by-step explanation of the IVF/IVP process, from oocyte collection to embryo transfer or cryopreservation
Differences between IVF (in vitro fertilisation) and IVP (in vitro production of embryos)
Benefits of IVP for genetic progress
Why IVP is growing globally and how adoption varies across countries
The role of FSH in stimulated IVP protocols
Evidence supporting improved embryo quality and survival rates with FSH use
Cost-benefit considerations when including FSH in IVF programs
Practical guidance on when and how to use FSH effectively
27 Mar 2024
IVP (IVF) - what we can learn from the US with Dr Ky Pohler
Texas A&M Associate Professor Dr Ky Pohler, one of Amercia's leading bovine reproductive physiologists, shares his extensive knowledge about In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) in the US market with Vetoquinol Australia's Rebecca Arnott.
Topics covered include
why 80% of US embryos are produced from IVP (IVF) compared to Australia's 5% or so
whether Australia is likely to follow suit
results (MOET vs IVF, fresh vs frozen embryos)
cost/embryo and cost/pregnancy
differences between and within breeds
why brahmans shouldn't be treated in the same way as Brazil's bos indicus cattle (Nelore)
why Wagyus dont respond as well to IVP and further work needed
technicians and logistical challenges
optimising outcomes
the benefits of stimulated IVP programs with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
the importance of media
pregnancy losses; and
the next ten years
23 Jan 2024
Learn more about MOET & IVF with Dr Udo Mahne and Rob Costello
Cattle ET veterinarian Dr Udo Mahne and Walcha Angus seedstock producer Rob Costello of Nairn Park Angus share decades of knowledge and practical experience relating to embryo transfer programs.
For those contemplating MOET or IVF/IVP, these interviews with Vetoquinol's Rebecca Arnott provide valuable tips and insights including:
typical results (and variations seen)
pregnancy rates (fresh and frozen)
getting an extra 30 calves from 5 donor cows
donor and recipient management
the importance of nutrition including minerals
management practices to help maximise the number of calves produced from a single donor cow
significantly lower cost/pregnancy of MOET vs non-stimulated IVF
why MOET is likely to remain the most viable form of embryo transfer for most producers
a common MOET protocol; and
benefits of FSH in MOET and IVF/IVP
2 Oct 2023
Assisted Breeding and Future Trends with Dr Shane Thomson (HVC)
In this episode, Rebecca Arnott catches up with Dr Shane Thomson of Holbrook Vet Centre to learn about the different forms of assisted breeding available, how these are continuing to evolve and how to decide which is best suited to your situation.
Some of the advantages and disadvantages of natural mating (NM), Artificial Insemination (AI and FTAI), Embryo Transfer (ET & MOET) and In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) are discussed as well as some key differences between breeds and geographic areas.
Shane also shares his thoughts on what the future looks like, particularly given the rapid advances with genomics and embryo transfer as well as some of the key challenges facing the industry.
18 Jan 2023
Wagyu Cows Defy the Odds on Dalgonally
Vetoquinol’s Rebecca Arnott talks to AACo’s Regional Breeding and Genetics Manager, Matias Suarez and cattle repro veterinarian Dr Adam Wise to understand how such a great result was achieved from a fixed time AI (FTAI) program on wet Wagyu cows in the north.
23 Aug 2022
Getting started in Artificial Insemination in Beef Cattle with Jo Connolly
The high cost of bulls, strong cattle prices and good seasonal conditions are driving an increase in the uptake of Artificial Insemination (AI) in commercial beef herds. For those wondering how to get started with AI, this podcast is for you.
Here Dr Jo Connolly from Impact Veterinary Services and Vetoquinol’s Rebecca Arnott cover the essentials of starting your first AI program; from finding the right vet or AI technician, different protocols, storing and selecting semen, sourcing Cue-Mate® progesterone devices and repro hormones, the importance of nutrition, infrastructure needed and costs through to expected results and what to do after AI day.
If you would like a hard copy, you will find Getting Started in Beef Cattle Artificial Insemination (AI) on our website repro360.com.au/Getting_Started_in-AI (//The high cost of bulls, strong cattle prices and good seasonal conditions are driving an increase in the uptake of Artificial Insemination (AI) in commercial beef herds. For those wondering how to get started with AI, this podcast is for you. Here Dr Jo Connolly from Impact Veterinary Services and Vetoquinol’s Rebecca Arnott cover the essentials of starting your first AI program; from finding the right vet or AI technician, different protocols, storing and selecting semen, sourcing Cue-Mate® progesterone devices and repro hormones, the importance of nutrition, infrastructure needed and costs through to expected results and what to do after AI day. If you would like a hard copy, you will find Getting Started in Beef Cattle Artificial Insemination (AI) on our website repro360.com.au/Getting_Started_in-AI)
16 Mar 2022
Relaunching the Tuli breed in Australia with Jack Milbank
Nuffield Scholar Jack Milbank is undertaking an ambitious project to relaunch the Tuli breed in Australia. Renowned for their fertility, hardiness, tick resistance and meat quality, this African Sanga breed has been cited as having the potential to add $200m to the northern beef industry.
6 Dec 2021
Assisted Reproduction in a World without Oestradiol Benzoate (ODB) with Scott McDougall
The use of hormone-based products in animals has become increasingly controversial over time. Oestradiol-based hormones however were banned altogether in NZ in 2007 and a voluntary ban was put in place in the Australian dairy industry soon after. Fifteen years on, the question remains - is it not a matter of if, but when would all oestradiol-based products also be banned, either forcibly or voluntarily, in the Australian beef industry? Dr Scott McDougall was at the coal-face when this ban occured in New Zealand. In this podcast, Scott shares his experience, knowledge around the sudden ban and how New Zealander's have adapted to life without oestradiol-based hormones.
7 Oct 2021
Improve the results of your AI Program by using the right progesterone device with Julie Pocock
In this podcast, Julie Pocock answers many of the questions often posed when it comes to choosing the right progesterone device for your herd, especially if you're looking to maximise the net returns. She also endeavours to dispel a few myths along the way.
Producers often use whichever device their vet or AI Tech gives them without realising there are different devices available.
There are three devices available on the Australian market each with different features and benefits. Some of these include variable retention rates, lower dose devices for heifers, different levels of cow comfort, environmental benefits, on-label (and off-label) reuse and of course cost.
Hear these being discussed with Rebecca Arnott to help decide which is the right device to achieve your own breeding objectives.
16 Sept 2021
Beef breeding in the North with Dr Emily Pelling
Emily is a young and ambitious vet as well as a commercial and seedstock cattle breeder from Theodore in Central Queensland. After five years working as a vet in a mixed practice (where she was constantly chasing the cattle jobs), Emily is now heading back to the family farm where she and her partner will start taking over the reins as part of the family's succession planning and pursue her passion of breeding better cattle. As the Young Graduate Representative on the Australian Cattle Vets Executive Committee, Emily is a great ambassador for veterinary graduates and also an advocate of encouraging young people (especially women) to consider the myriad of amazing job opportunities in rural and regional Australia.
29 Aug 2021
The role of a Territory Manager and Tips for AI'ing with Julie Pocock
Julie Pocock was born into the repro world with her family owning a Simmental stud in SE Queensland. In this podcast she shares her journey as to how she became a Territory Manager for Vetoquinol (which she describes as the best job in the world) and also shares many tips as to how get the most out an assisted breeding program. Julie continues to run the family stud along with her husband and input from her parents and has much personal experience from running AI and ET programs.
10 Jun 2021
Artificial Insemination in Beef Cattle with Dr Sophia Edwards
Vetoquinol's Sophia Edwards answers many common questions about Artificial Insemination in beef cattle I from the fundamentals of an AI program, what is Fixed Time AI, costs and benefits through to the different protocols and getting started.
17 May 2021
Improving Heifer Productivity with Dr Enoch Bergman
Imagine using controlled mating through Fixed Time Artificial Insemination (FTAI) to improve your bottom line by $90/pregnancy.
In this Podcast, one of Australia's most engaging repro veterinarians, Dr Enoch Bergman tells Vetoquinol's Rebecca Arnott how this result was achieved via a Meat & Livestock Australia funded Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) project run in conjunction with Swans Veterinary Services and the WA producer grower group ASHEEP.
Run over three mating seasons, between 2017 and 2019, the testing of FTAI in the heifer joining programs of 10 local beef producers measured conception rates, dystocia rates, calf and heifer mortality rates, rebreeding weights, and the weaning weights of the calves from the heifers. Those enrolled in the FTAI integrated group were superior to those of their naturally mated siblings on average for each parameter and in most individual instances.
Enoch highlights results from an economic analysis of the averages, which demonstrated a benefit of just under $90 per pregnancy without factoring in either genetic improvement or the ongoing benefits of the improved calving distribution observed within the heifers enrolled in the FTAI program.
This Podcast was recorded at the end of Beef Australia; hence the croaky voices!
26 Apr 2021
Hormones of a Cow's Oestrous Cycle with Dr Penelope McGown
In our inaugural Podcast, Vetoquinol's Rebecca Arnott talks to Dr Penelope McGown about the fundamentals of bovine reproduction; that being the hormones of a cow's oestrous cycle.
Understanding the role and interaction of each of these hormones, including Oestrogen, Progesterone, Prostaglandin (PG), Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone (GnRH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) will help you understand how assisted breeding programs accelerate the rate of genetic gain in a herd.
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