Just a few months before the enhanced community quarantine was imposed in the Philippines, one of the project teams at DTRI went to Victoria, Australia. The activity was part of the project Application and Improvement of Embryo Transfer (ET) and Artificial Insemination (AI) Technologies as Tools Toward Achieving the Desired Number of Genetically Superior Breeder Dairy Cattle. This project has been nicknamed at DTRI as Project 1.
The Project 1 team visited the Genetics Australia head office for their AI laboratory and stud farm, AgriBio – Centre for Agribioscience at La Trobe University and Dairy Australia Southbank. The team also participated in hands-on training in bovine reproduction with Mr. Brad Pickford at his training center/farm in Byuduk, Victoria. Mr. Pickford uses his own-developed artificial simulator device, the Breed’n Betsy model, in his training in artificial breeding, pregnancy diagnosis and embryo transfer. Likewise, the team was able to have a lecture and visit at the IVF laboratory of Dr. Richard Fry at Speedbreed Donor Centre in Gnarawarre, Victoria.
The team was composed of Dr. Amado A. Angeles, Mr. Rainie Rich Chucky S. Yambao and Ms. Karla Joy S. Ty from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Dr. Juan S. Daquioag II of Cagayan State University, Dr. Shirley S. Villanueva of the University of Southeastern Philippines, Prof. Klinton Ed F. Venci of Central Mindanao University and Dr. Errol Jay Y. Balagan of Central Luzon State University. The visit, which was funded by the project, was part of the dairy enhancement program of DOST-PCAARRD using reproductive technologies such as AI and ET.
Mr. Brad Pickford demonstrating (left) and training the team on how to use the Breed n’ Betsy model he developed and the team getting a fresher course on palpation. (Photo courtesy of Rob Derksen of Genetics Australia)
