Buying & Selling Embryos

The embryo tech is as important as the person who collects them and freezes them. That is why I always insist that the embryos be put in by an experienced embryo technician. This does not mean that he/ has to be a vet, but just someone who has a good track record. I sold some embryos about three years ago to a young lady who thought she could put them in herself seeing she had taken an AI course. She had pretty bad luck ( 0 out of 4) and I could not give her a guarantee.

This is why there has to be some one who is experienced putting the embryos in. I do not like to have to do this , as it is hard to get experience if someone's guarantee is at stake, but I do not know of any other way to do this. It is a critical part of the process.

Justintime - does the embryo  price depend on whether there is a guarantee for a live calf?  We sell embryos from time to time and haven't guaranteed a live birth for the reasons mentioned, plus not every cow will take an embryo.  How does one check into whether the person is a good embryo tech?  How does one check that tech's track record?

I do not guarantee a live calf when I sell embryos. I guarantee a minimum of 50% conception at 70 days. I am not sure if this is a proper length of time, but this is what my ET vet recommended. He also thinks I am being fairly generous in giving this guarantee, however, I want my customers to get something for their investment. As far as checking on the embryo tech, I usually accept the word of the buyer. All I ask is that they check around and use someone who has done work for someone else ... and has gotten a recommendation for some one else. I know this is a rather loose method, but  so far I think it has worked for me.

JIT - your guarantee is better than most w/ the 50% conception rate.  The 3 w/ 1 package that is commonlyl used would only guarantee a 33% conception rate.   

Price would make a difference to me..  if I was paying $300+ per embryo, I'd want a guarantee.  If I were paying $100, I wouldn't expect one. 

I do not sell embryos below $300.  Usually I put these in myself, then I don't have to worry about any guarantees. I have on occasion bundled up all the single embryos left in inventory and priced them accordingly. I have only done this once to a buyer from Scotland who wanted a  number of embryos. He purchased over 50 embryos in this deal most of which were small numbers of embryos left in inventory. I found it interesting that this deal was done while I was driving down the highway to a cattle show. This buyer flew over here three days later to make payment in person. The world is getting pretty small!

Doc, I'm with you on the not doing business with Trans Ova part. I had a very bad experience with them this past spring and will never use them again.