MURRAY GREY EMBRYO RECORDING SYSTEM

The MGBCS Embryo Recording System has been put in place to simplify the procedure for registration of ET calves especially where the embryo has been sold after collection. Embryos are recorded on the MGBCS data base in a similar way to calves.

The major advantages of the embryo recording system are:

• It provides an audit trail to establish the eligibility of a member to register an
animal produced by ET and will also establish the eligibility of a member to register an animal from a dam and/or sire they do not own.

• It improves the integrity of the MGBCS pedigree data base by allowing a check on the gestation length of the calf and keeping accurate records of embryos used.

• It makes the registration of calves from embryos much simpler because the sire and dam of the calf are already recorded and their ownership at the time of collection is already verified.

From 1st January 2007 Embryo calves will not be registered unless the embryo has been recorded with the Society.

WHAT ARE THE STEPS?

Step 1

When you flush one or more viable eggs from a female you should complete an ET1 form. The form must be submitted to MGBCS within 120 days of the flush taking place even if all eggs are frozen. This allows time for pregnancy testing before the form is submitted to save reporting unsuccessful implants. If you are not the owner of the sire or dam a letter of consent must be included from the owner of that animal.

Each flush will be given a flush number by MGBCS eg. 2006005 for flush number 5 in 2006. The embryos will get an individual embryo number eg. 2006005.3 for the third embryo of the flush. You should use this number for all future transactions eg., sale of frozen embryo, sale of a pregnant recipient or registration of the calf.

Note: 1. You need to be the owner of the donor dam at the time of the flush or provide a letter of authority from the owner of the dam.

2. If your vet can provide a form with the same information that will also be accepted.

Step 2

If you implant frozen embryos you should complete form ET2 on which you will quote the number of each embryo and the date of implantation, ident, age and breed of the recipient cow. Breed codes can be found in the back of your regulations

Note: Use ET2 forms only when the embryos have already been recorded with MGBCS on an ET1 form.

Step 3

If you sell a frozen embryo or a pregnant recipient you should use form ET3 to notify MGBCS of the change of ownership of the embryo. There is no charge for this transfer.

Note: Late fees will apply for transfer of ownership more than 120 days after the date of sale

Step 4

All embryos implanted in the previous 12 months are preprinted on the M1 form listing Dam, Sire, and Recipient ID. To register the calf you need simply to complete the birth details and tattoo of the calf. Provided the gestation period is within the normal range and there are no other problems the calf will automatically be registered because the ownership of the embryo will be current and the ownership of the donor dam and sire will have been previously verified when the ET1 form was submitted.

Step 5

If embryo calves are not preprinted, please include the embryo ident. (2006005.3) and the recipient cow ident. (eg., ABC Z16) in the left hand column of the M1 Form.

LATE FEES:
The following late fees will apply to the embryo recording system. Recording of flush more than 120 days after the flush - $11.00 per flush Transfer of ownership of embryo or recipient with implanted embryo more than 120 days after the sale – $11.00 per embryo or recipient.