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FRANKFORT,
Ky. — Kentucky beef cattle producers are invited to
contact the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to learn
how they can export frozen embryos to Mexican cattle
ranchers.
“The
sale of beef cattle embryos to Mexican cattlemen has
the potential to be a major breakthrough for Kentucky
producers interested in exporting,” Agriculture Commissioner
Richie Farmer said. “The Kentucky Department of Agriculture
has worked with the Mexican cattle industry to generate
interest in Kentucky livestock and train Mexican veterinarians
in embryo transfers. Kentucky has exported more than
$1 million worth of live beef and dairy cattle to Mexico
in recent years, and embryo sales is the next logical
step.”
Kelly
Ludwig, the Department's international marketing specialist,
said several Mexican producers are interested in buying
embryos from Kentucky but need expected progeny difference
(EPD) information on the cow and bull that produced
each available embryo. The Department is collecting
the EPD information and price quotes to send to buyers.
Embryos also must meet strict federal requirements to
be eligible for export.
Ludwig
said Mexican producers' interest has grown after two
live births occurred from embryos donated by Kentucky
breeders.
In
2003, the KDA brought a Mexican veterinarian to Kentucky
for embryo transfer training with funds from U.S. Livestock
Genetics Export. He then trained other veterinarians
in the Mexican states of Jalisco and Vallarta. The Department's
Jalisco trade office worked with the veterinarian to
educate Mexican producers about Kentucky beef cattle
genetics and the benefits of embryo transfer.
For
more information on embryo export regulations, or to
submit EPDs and price quotes, contact Kelly Ludwig at
(502) 564-4983.
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