Julian and Sally Carrol of Black Star Angus
Image credit: Weekly Times
"Our stud has been operating since 2011 and we have been using FTAI in our herd since then. Our results were what I would call 'industry standard' and I wanted to do better. My local AI technician was keen to stick to his own program however I had a desire to investigate other reproductive programs and options. I first met the Vetoquinol team - Dr Sophia Edwards and Greg Heeney at the Angus Australia annual conference in Albury 2016. After discussing my program and the improvements that could be made with Sophia I decided to adopt the recommendations, and I was extremely happy with the improved results.
The last of our stud females calved on the 31st of August, which resulted in our tightest ever calf drop with all arriving in a 32-day spread. The first calf arrived on the 30th of July, having spent just 277 days in utero. This is largely due to the astounding success of last spring's breeding programs which saw 100% of cows in calf to AI; 63% of heifers in calf to AI and 100% of embryos surviving transfer and going full term.
The information and advice that Vetoquinol provide in person and via their Repro360 website has been integral in lifting the reproductive performance at Black Star Angus. There is no one program they recommend for FTAI, however there are many programs and options available to use as a basis for successful breeding. I would really have liked to have had this online resource, and the ability to speak with Sophia and Greg years ago. I thoroughly recommend that breeders embarking on FTAI for the first time, or those that seek to improve their results, contact Vetoquinol and take advantage of the advice, tools and products they offer."
- Julian and Sally Carrol
Black Star Angus, Mudgegonga, VIC