Sunshine Genetics - Caring for the Cows that Everyone Cares About

Sunshine Genetics, is a world-renowned provider of embryo technology and a source of elite bovine genetics. Located in Whitewater, they are an international company that provides IVF and ET services to both small farms and large genetic businesses. The Sunshine Genetics brand name is recognized in the cattle world everywhere and they bring a lot of recognition to America’s Dairyland.

I had the fantastic opportunity to learn about Sunshine Genetics with a tour from Dr. Greg Schueller, and Kerry Eiler. Together they explained the many moving parts of Sunshine Genetics.

(Pictured L-R) Kerry Eiler – Herdsman, Anna Lucht – Hired hand, Greg Schueller – Owner/Veterinarian, Olivia Brandenburg – Hired hand, Jeff Boldt – Herdsman

Embryo Transfer (ET) is a procedure that cattle breeders use to produce multiple offspring from their elite females. Numerous embryo donors have embryos collected at the Sunshine Genetics' ET center and local farms daily. On average, 6-7 good quality embryos are collected per superovulation procedure, and this process can be repeated every 30-60 days.

Conventional ET involves hormone treatments of donor cows and heifers to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple follicles. One week after artificial insemination (AI), the embryos are recovered non-surgically from the donor's uterus. A microscope is used to locate the embryos, which are washed, and graded for quality. The embryos can be transplanted into recipient heifers/cows or can be frozen for future use. The frozen embryos can be marketed internationally, providing superior male and female genetics to breeders in other countries.

Sunshine Genetics takes great pride in caring for embryo donors owned by breeders living across the world. These clients recognize the advantage of working with U.S. genetics.

The cattle owned by their international clients can produce embryos sired by popular new sires. Consequently, these embryos can then be exported and implanted prior to the semen from these U.S. bulls being widely distributed in their own country. (Information provided by http://sunshinegenetics.com /)