Celebrating 30 Years

Client Newsletter • Winter 2010

IN THIS ISSUE: Thank You & Happy Holidays! - by David Faber & Jared Knock Meet the DonorC Notice Me ET - by Kimberly Knippa Meet the SireSull GNCC Eldorado - by Mark Johnson Texas Center Highlight - by Cary Crow Meet the DonorSAV Madame Pride 0075 - by Crystal Dykstra Changing the Face of Cattle Reproduction in 30 Years - by Filament, printed in Holstein World, Nov. 2010 IVF Satellite Centers - by Sara Kober Understanding the Perspectives: EU’s Position on Cloning - by Diane Broek

Trans Ova is dedicated to meeting the requirements of our customers and to continual quality improvement. 2938 380th Street Sioux Center, IA 51250 800.999.3586

THANK YOU AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS! As 2010 draws to a close, we at Trans Ova Genetics want to Thank You for working with us this past year. It is truly a pleasure that never dulls, to work with such outstanding cattle, and cattle breeders, year after year. This year is no exception, and 2011 looks to be even more exciting. In our last newsletter, we noted that Trans Ova Genetics is celebrating its 30th Anniversary. It is truly amazing to think of the changes that have occurred to the livestock and dairy industries over that time period. Through the years, Trans Ova Genetics has been constantly striving to bring cutting edge reproductive technologies to progressive livestock breeders - and it continues to do so today! In this issue, we are highlighting our IVF Satellite Facilities. At this time last year, we offered our IVF services at three facilities. Now we are

performing OPU’s at nine different sites, with new areas in the works for 2011. This has allowed us to bring IVF technology closer to breeders. It is our pleasure to highlight some of the elite cattle and bulls we are able to work with each year. In this issue we get an in-depth look at some of the top genetics from several breeds that we work with. Also, we are happy to highlight our Texas facility in this issue, which consists of a strong team of talented individuals that we are proud to have as a part of the Trans Ova family. Look for future issues to highlight other Trans Ova Genetics’ teams around the country. We hope this issue finds you well, and wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season! - Dr. Dave Faber, President - Jared Knock, Director of Sales & Marketing

U LT I P LY C C E S S C C E S S C C E S S C C E S S

MEET THE DONOR - C NOTICE ME ET

It has been said that a photo is worth a thousand words. However, add a backdrop and a couple purple banners to that photo, and you have something that is worth a lot more. C Notice Me ET is one Hereford female that along with her progeny is very familiar with the color purple. Bred and owned by Colyer Herefords in Bruneau, Idaho, this female has made a huge impact in their herd and the breed. Born in January 2002, the Colyers knew they had something exceptional and needed everyone else to take notice, so what a better name than Notice Me. Notice Me was named the 2003 National Western Stock Show Reserve Champion Hereford Female in Denver, then made a trek further south and claimed the 2003 Southwest Livestock Expo Grand Champion Honors in Fort Worth. However, this female was not done with her winnings.

In 2004, Colyer Herefords took Notice Me back to Denver, and it was there that she conquered all titles. Not only was she named National Champion Female, but she also took home the title of the first Supreme Champion Female of the National Western Stock Show. It is hard to find a female that can excel in the show ring and the pasture, but Notice Me has been able to do just that. Over $500,000 has been sold in her progeny. C Maui Jim ET (Notice Me X 146) was named 2006 Western Nugget National Champion Polled Bull in Reno and sold a ¼ syndicate interest in Denver at the Mile High Sale for $45,000. C Chanel ET (Notice Me x 146) is one of the most popular show heifers in recent years and was a “Triple Crown” winner for Colyer Herefords. This 2007 Notice Me daughter was the top selling heifer in Colyers 2008 Internet Sale at $20,500. C New Era ET (Notice Me x UPS TCC Nitro) was named

the 2010 Reserve National Champion Polled Bull at the National Western Stock Show, as well as Champion Hereford Bull at the Western Nugget Stock Show, Reno, Nevada. C Notice Me Nitro 9161 ET (Notice Me x UPS TCC Nitro) was the high seller in Colyer’s 2009 Internet Sale- ½ interest selling for $39,000, and named the 2010 Champion Hereford Female at the Western Nugget Show in Reno, Nevada. These outstanding progeny are both products of Trans Ova Genetics! While a picture may say a thousand words, what really says it all is an animal’s legacy and how that adds to the bigger picture. C Notice Me ET in her short time has proven that she is one to take notice of. Thank you Colyer Herefords for the opportunity to work with this remarkable donor, C Notice Me and we wish you continued success in the year to come!

- Kimberly Knippa, Client Service Representative

HIGHLIGHT on TEXAS 1233 STATE HIGHWAY 7

•

CENTERVILLE, TEXAS

The 2010 year has been a banner year for Trans Ova Genetics Texas . We are most appreciative and want to offer our sincere thanks to our clients who have had the confidence in our system to refer many of their colleagues and friends to Trans Ova Texas. These referrals have played a major role in allowing us to double the number of OPU’s we did just a year ago and we couldn’t have done this without you!



We are so proud of the staff that we have assembled here as well as the industry leading results we have been able to obtain through our IVF system. In 2010 the average number of usable embryos/aspiration produced company wide, rivaled the average number of embryos obtained from conventional ET. Our quality weaned calf opportunities have grown in 2010 to over 2000 cows in Texas and Oklahoma and just this fall many of our Oklahoma and Texas Panhandle clients have taken advantage of the opportunity to aspirate cows from the White/McLemore site in Sterling, OK. This year has also brought about the addition of semen sorting capabilities directly from the Texas center, which has afforded our clients more flexibility in making sex selected pregnancies. Several new team members have been added in 2010, thus allowing the Texas Center to better meet the demands of our clients, while continuing to assemble one of the most respected reproductive teams in the South. We take great pleasure in working with some of the greatest donors in the industry, as well as some of the most respected cattlemen and women in the country. We wish all of our Trans Ova clients continued success as we all look ahead to another great year in 2011. - Cary Crow Client Service Manager, Texas

•

866-924-4586

MEET THE DONOR

SAV MADAME PRIDE 0075

When it comes to multiplying the success of a herd, Madame Pride 0075 is a superstar for Schaff Angus Valley. Schaff Angus Valley has one of the oldest on-going Angus herds in North America and 0075 has been the maternal matriarch of their herd. 0075 has been one of the most prolific daughters of Bando 5175 in existence and her dam, Madame Pride 8264, was the record selling cow in the history of Schaff Angus Valley and was produced from four consecutive generations of Pathfinder dams. 0075 is a model Angus cow for the breed with a perfect phenotype and represents every trait that the Schaff Angus Valley cowherd is known for.

Kelly Schaff and his elite Angus program at Schaff Angus Valley. Kelly Schaff states, “We are very pleased with Trans Ova and their team. We have worked with them since the beginning of our embryo work. We are privileged to work with Steve Yackley, who has excellent attention to detail, personal knowledge of our donors and someone who shares our same passion for our cows.” Trans Ova truly appreciates Kelly Schaff and Schaff Angus Valley in letting us help them multiply their success and the success of 0075 for their program! You can view 0075 and their Angus operation at Schaff Angus Valley’s website: www.schaffangusvalley.com.

Trans Ova came to know 0075 in our embryo transfer program at our Yackley Ranches’ center in Onida, South Dakota. She was lower in production than was desired through conventional embryo transfer, so Kelly Schaff enrolled her in Trans Ova’s in vitro fertilization (IVF) program in Sioux Center, IA. She excelled in our IVF program and was then bred for calf and sent back to Schaff Angus Valley. After having a natural calf, she has now returned to Steve Yackley’s center in the embryo transfer program. 0075’s results speak for themselves as her progeny are all top selling females for Schaff Angus Valley and she also has sons who are currently advertised through major AI studs. Furthermore, her progeny sales have totaled over $500,000 for Schaff Angus Valley. The Schaff’s will also have 15 of her direct progeny in their upcoming 108th Production Sale in February. It has been a pleasure for Trans Ova Genetics to work with

- Crystal Dykstra, Marketing Assistant

MEET THE SIRE

SULL GNCC ELDORADO

Trans Ova Genetics is fortunate to work with some of the most elite genetic pieces within many breeds. As we continue our “Meet the Sire” feature, we turn our attention to an outstanding representative of the Shorthorn breed.

outstanding eye-appeal as proven by the number of class and division winners Eldorado has produced in major Shorthorn Shows.

SULL/GNCC Eldorado ET was produced by the partnership of Sullivan Farms at Dunlap, Iowa and Gana/Nisely Shorthorns of Martelle, NE. Eldorado is sired by the breed giant CF Trump and out of the proven and predictable donor cow K-Kim Mona Lisa 35L. Eldorado was the feature bull in the Gana/Nisely-Sullivan March 2008 production sale. When the gavel fell at $39,000 a syndicate comprised of Cates Farms, Greenhorn Shorthorns, Circle H Shorthorns, Berg Family Shorthorns, Kearns Family Shorthorns and Tom Keels owned this great young sire. Sullivan and GNCC also retained a breeding share.

Trans Ova Genetics is both proud and humbled to have the opportunity to increase the breeding value of leading sires such as Eldorado. The use of sexed semen gives progressive breeders the ability to increase production of desired sex calves by nearly twofold in embryo transfer, IVF, and AI. Thank you and congratulations to the owners of SULL/GNCC Eldorado.

Eldorado is admired for his natural thickness, rib shape and depth of side. As a mature bull, he comes off the breeding pasture sound as a cat and in the stud is a prolific producer of high quality semen that works very well in the sorting procedure. He is a bull that the owners value for his ability to sire calves that fit the needs of their customers. His offspring excel in performance traits while maintaining - Mark Johnson, Client Service Representative

CHANGING THE FACE OF CATTLE REPRODUCTION IN 30 YEARS The year 1980 was the dawn of a new decade, creating turnover to pop culture and reshaping America. Ronald Reagan began his presidency, the arcade game Pac-Man was released and the popularity of the movie Urban Cowboy had everyone listening to Johnny Lee. At the same time, a small, cattle reproduction business would begin its rich history and begin to redefine the opportunities for advancing cattle genetic success. Celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, Trans Ova Genetics continues to provide industry-leading technologies to their clients – ever-improving techniques and results, and yet remaining true to the business philosophy and relationship-focused values they started with in 1980. The start of success Dr. David Faber worked with embryo transfer (ET) as a student at the University of Illinois veterinary school and by 1980 was practicing large animal medicine at Northwest Veterinary Associates in northwest Iowa. A mixed veterinary practice, Northwest Veterinary Associates was started by Dr. Jan Schuiteman in 1974. To help develop Dr. Faber’s vision for an ET division within the practice, he enlisted the help of Dr. Daryl Funk and Diane Broek who were already part of the Northwest Veterinary Associates team. Dr. Funk was a large animal veterinarian who harbored a wealth of experience in dairy and reproduction, and Diane Broek was a lab technician fresh out of college. Beginning the vision for what would ultimately become Trans Ova Genetics, Dr. Faber and Dr. Funk began flushing donor cows in late 1980, and solicited advice from colleagues Dr. Scott Armbrust, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Dr. Richard Carmichael of Keota, Iowa who were early ET innovators.

and answered sales calls,” she adds. “Dr. Faber and Dr. Funk fed and bred the donors in addition to performing the embryo collection and transfer, all while seeking out clients who could utilize the technology.” The two skilled veterinarians continued to run calls in the large animal practice for about five years before the commitment was made to devote 100 percent of their time to Trans Ova Genetics. “When we started, we had no clients, no money, and no sales force - but a lot of passion to bring this technology and the value it created, to the purebred dairy and beef sectors,” explains Broek. Several other key team members were added throughout the early years of the company. Dr. Paul Van Roekel, Mark Johnson, Charletta Ohlrichs, Dorene Vander Zwaag, Gary Ohlrichs, Gus Schramm and Sheila Schramm have continued to contribute to the growth of Trans Ova Genetics for over 20 years. Small milestones jar the memory of the original Trans Ova Genetics team and remind them of what kept them going. Dr. Funk, who still collects and transfers embryos on a daily basis, reminisces, “Our first embryo collection was in the spring of 1981, for Lars Ludvigson. We were thrilled to actually be paid for our efforts! Lars taught us a lot about the cattle industry and servicing a client well. And, 30 years later, I am proud to say that his family, Ludvigson Farms, is still a Trans Ova Genetics client.” In 1981, donor and recipient housing, an ET lab, and a transfer area were added to Trans Ova Genetics’ growing business. These original facilities provided housing for 50 donor cows and 500 recipients. Today, Trans Ova Genetics’ multiple facilities across the U.S. have grown to provide quality donor care for approximately 750 donors and about 5,000 recipients, while also housing a small number of bulls for semen sorting. Reproductive technologies evolve

The dedicated partners who started Trans Ova Genetics are still deeply involved in the business today. Running the business took multi-tasking, a well-rounded skill set, and deep passion for the industry. “I was a lab technician/ embryologist, says Broek, who still works within the Trans Ova Genetics entity as the general manager of Bovance. “But, since we were so small, I also was the receptionist, did the accounting

One of the first dairy donors at Trans Ova with Dr. Daryl Funk

With their mission to focus on developing reproductive tools for their clients in the beef and dairy industry, Trans Ova Genetics continued to grow their offered technologies from their original start with ET. The ability to freeze embryos had not yet been developed when the team started, and they transferred embryos surgically. “Probably the three things that revolutionized the reproductive technology industry and vaulted our business to a full time endeavor were the ability to freeze embryos [cryopreservation], the capacity to transfer embryos non-surgically, and the tools to synchronize recipients which allowed producers to implant embryos from their very best donors any time of the year,” says Broek. Later developments like direct transfer of frozen embryos, in vitro fertilization (IVF), cloning and sorted semen have further transformed assisted reproductive technology (ART), the cattle industry, and Trans Ova Genetics alike. “The industry has really reinvented itself,” says Dr. Faber, the visionary leader and president of Trans Ova Genetics. “Most significantly we now have services that greatly impact what we can do for farmers and ranchers, such as IVF and sexed semen. These give us the ability to produce more progeny even from pregnant donors and clinically infertile donors.”

AN ARTICLE FROM HOLSTEIN WORLD HIGHLIGHTING TRANS OVA IVF technology itself has evolved much with time. And in doing so, the popularity of it has grown significantly since Trans Ova Genetics first introduced it in 1992. “We began utilizing IVF, primarily on problem donors that would fail to produce embryos by traditional embryo transfer means. That’s how it was utilized for quite some time,” notes Dr. Faber. “But,

continuing to work with those so they are implemented correctly and we can harvest the value,” says Dr. Faber. “We’ve always had an excitement at Trans Ova Genetics about embryo transfer. Looking through a microscope and seeing an embryo has not ever gotten old,” says Dr. Faber. “It’s really an exciting thing to look at the potential that’s there in the Petri dish. By 2050, it’s estimated we’ll need 2 times the animal protein we use now, to feed the world. We’ll need to produce it in a sustainable and efficient manner. The combination of excitement we have about the technologies today and the opportunities of how we’ll use them in the future in feeding the world are exciting.” The original team of three has since grown to 100 Trans Ova Genetics team members throughout their facilities across the U.S., including a new generation of leaders. And yet, their dedication to service and client relationships developed back in 1980 remains part of their culture today.

John Erbsen and Apple II winning the Winter Heifer Class at the World Dairy Expo 2008 – first dairy heifer clone shown produced by Trans Ova Genetics/Bovance.

as we’ve improved efficiencies and as we’ve added sexed semen, it has moved beyond the problem cow. Now, IVF is much more useful for healthy fertile donors, young/prepubescent donors, and even pregnant donors. The ability to harvest embryos from younger heifers coupled with genomic information makes it even more powerful than ever before.” Originally, all IVF procedures at Trans Ova Genetics were performed in-clinic at their Iowa headquarters. Recognizing the growing number of donors and clients utilizing the service made Trans Ova Genetics consider new strategies to reduce the distance for clients. “We’ve set up additional sites and centers as well as satellite facilities where we can go and harvest oocytes from donors on any given day,” explains Dr. Faber. “We don’t want our clients having to take lactating cows and move them around the country.” Trans Ova Genetics continues to position their locations closer to the primary dairy producing areas to be able to better serve the elite cattle around the country. “Our goal now is to make it even easier to do business with Trans Ova Genetics and to become a local option for dairy breeders to use our technology as a consistent part of their reproductive programs,” explains Jared Knock, Trans Ova Genetics director of sales and marketing. The future Trans Ova Genetics is constantly looking for ways to help their clients gain genetic value within their herd. In the next 30 years, they remain committed to helping further extend the technologies they offer. “Our focus isn’t as much on what new things are we going to come up with, but continuing to refine the tools that we have and

“Our mission has not changed. We are still focused on developing reproductive tools for our clients in the beef and dairy industry and servicing them with uncompromising customer service,” says Knock. Dr. Faber adds, “We’ve had a lot of fun and we’ve brought a lot of new things to the marketplace. But the client relationships we’ve created over the years are what have really been priceless to us.” The next 30 years look bright for the tried and true reproductive technology company that has helped dairy producers from all breeds realize the capabilities of their cattle genetics. “The thing that continues to amaze me at Trans Ova Genetics is the pace at which the technology evolves,” says Scott Metzger, Trans Ova Genetics dairy sales manager. “We’ve worked hard to give breeders access to technologies that allow them to quickly and efficiently breed cattle that will be more efficient producers of meat and milk to feed the growing world population.” Knock adds, “The direction Trans Ova Genetics heads in the future will be largely dictated by what our customers want. We will keep our finger on the pulse of the technology world and find ways to incorporate advanced technologies into the breeding schemes of beef and dairy producers for years to come.”

“Trans Ova Genetics is constantly looking for ways to better meet the needs of our clients. “ Ashlyn with 17 daughters produced in IVF with reverse sorted semen, 2008

From Our Farm to Yours – IVF Satellite Centers In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is coming to a location near you.

allows them to transfer their embryos fresh into their own recipients.

When IVF first began, it was at a single location in Sioux Center, Iowa. Not only did all of the donors have to travel to the location in Sioux Center, all of the embryos had to be

Trans Ova’s Fresh Ship program is exactly as its name implies. The program allows for fresh embryos to be packaged in special culture solutions, and then placed into portable incubators. These portable incubators keep the embryos at the appropriate temperature – it cools on a warm summer day and heats on a cold winter day. These incubators can then be shipped via UPS or FedEx fresh to a client’s farm.

transferred at that location as well. As the application of IVF technology rapidly grew, Trans Ova Genetics understood that in order to fully meet the needs of our clients, we would continually need to make it more convenient to do business with us. Today, Trans Ova Genetics has three regional In Vito Fertilization (IVF) centers located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Centerville, Texas, & Boonsboro, Maryland. In addition to developing these regional laboratories, research and development efforts have focused on bringing IVF even closer to the clients’ farm. Trans Ova Genetics is focused on developing IVF satellite locations where donors can be collected closer to their home. These IVF satellite locations are facilities that Trans Ova Genetics travels to on a regular basis to perform OPU’s. The oocytes collected are sent into our regional centers for fertilization. These satellite centers, coupled with Trans Ova’s Fresh Ship program allow clients not only to keep their donors close to home, but also

Once embryos arrive on location, Trans Ova’s Fresh Ship program has allowed beef & dairy farms to continue to work with their local embryo transfer provider for the synchronization of recipients and implantation of the embryos. Another important part of this program is that it allows Trans Ova professional service team to perform the oocyte collections. Trans Ova feels this has been important for two reasons. Most importantly, it allows for highly skilled specialized professional service team members

it also allows our team members to continually assess your client needs. This is vital as it provides direction to Trans Ova Genetics industry-leading research and development program. When the Trans Ova Genetics’ IVF satellite centers are coupled with the Fresh Ship program, the results have been excellent. There has been no decrease in efficiency in oocyte harvest, embryo production, or pregnancy rate. Trans Ova’s Satellite Locations are located across the country. The same concept is being applied with our existing centers located in Chillicothe, Missouri, Olympic Genetics in Grinnell, Iowa, and the White/McLemore Center in Fletcher, Oklahoma. Feel free to call our Trans Ova Genetics’ client service team members at your nearest location to ask how our Fresh Ship program can multiply success for you and your operation!

to perform this important procedure. Equally important to collection is oocyte handling and technique. Secondly, it is important for Trans Ova to maintain an interface directly with our clients. Not only does Trans Ova enjoy our client relationships, but - Sara Kober, Marketing Assistant

Multiply the success of your herd at any of Trans Ova Genetics’ regional and satellite centers 7 9

12 1

11

13 6 14

5

4

8

2 10

3

Trans Ova Genetics has local stations to provide advanced reproductive services to cattle breeders across the United States. The corporate headquarters is located in Sioux Center, Iowa, and regional centers are located in Missouri, Maryland and Texas.

North Dakota, and South Dakota. Each location is managed by a Trans Ova Genetics team of dedicated experts, who provide special care of each animal and work closely with breeders to help multiply the success of their elite cattle. For more information on services offered at each of the Trans Ova Genetics facilities, please refer to the map and the pin markers to obtain location and contact information.

Additional satellite centers offer embryo transfer (ET) and are found in in Arkansas, Eastern Iowa, Ohio, Oklahoma,

1

Corporate Headquarters 2938 380th Street Sioux Center, IA 51250 800-999-3586 ET, IVF, Custom Collect Sexed-Semen, Live Calf Program, Recipient Options Regional Centers

2

12425 LIV 224 Chillicothe, MO 64601 800-372-3586 ET, Recipient Options

3

Satellite Centers

5

Oklahoma Team 22883 N. Hwy 77 Orlando, OK 73073 918-374-2372

9

Yackley Ranches 18430 308th Ave Onida, SD 57564 605-295-1220

13

Genetic Futures 4358 Ed’s Lane Junction City, WI 54443 715-459-6480

6

1233 State Hwy 7 Centerville, TX 75833 866-924-4586 ET, IVF, Horned/Aggressive Stock, Recipient Options Olympic Genetics Center 2163 Hwy T-38 South Grinnell, IA 50112 641-594-4125

10

O’Neal Angus 3614 O’Neal Rd Branch, AR 72928 479-847-5731

14

Siemer’s Holstein Farm 16125 Mineral Springs Road Cleveland, WI 53015 920-693-3600

4

7441 Sharpsburg Pike Boonsboro, MD 21713 866-774-3162 IVF, ET, Recipient Options

7

Heart River Genetics 4291 Hwy 85 South Belfield, ND 58622 701-575-8145

11

White/McLemore Cattle Co. 2271 NE Cline RD Fletcher, OK 73541 580-678-7838

8

Boysel Cattle Company 8348 County Rd 144 East Liberty, OH 43319 937-666-4981

12

Postville Vet Clinic 110 Hyman Drive Postville, Iowa 52162 563-380-0912

UNDERSTANDING THE PERSPECTIVES: EU’S POSITION ON CLONING As the debate in Europe over the use of livestock cloning continues, debate in Europe the use ofHere livestock there is public confusion on the situation. thereAs is the public confusion on over the situation. is ancloning updatecontinues, from Here is an update from Bovance to help you understand the issues: Bovance to help you understand the issues: • •

• •

•

•

Currently, Europe considers products from cloned animals to be “novel foods” needing approval before entering the marketplace. The three bodies of government that must agree on legislation in Europe (European Commission, European Council and the European Parliament) do not agree on the issue. The revision process now is in conciliation among the three bodies to try to reach consensus. On October 19, 2010, the Commission released a report on the different aspects of cloning and suggested interim measures be put in place and reviewed after five years. On November 8, 2010, representatives from Trans Ova Genetics, ViaGen and Bovance met with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were also represented. On November 25, 2010 the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency (FSA) Chief Scientist released this statement: “The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) has confirmed that meat and milk from cloned cattle and their offspring shows no substantial difference to conventionally produced meat and milk, and therefore is unlikely to present a food safety risk”.

2938 380th Street Sioux Center, IA 51250 800.999.3586

Trans Ova is dedicated to meeting the requirements of our customers and to continual quality improvement.

www.transova.com

•

In November 2010, Professor Keith Campbell announced that he had produced 4 clone siblings to Dolly at a European Parliament debate on cloning and animal welfare. The four genetic twins have no health concerns and are three and one half years old. • On December 2, 2010 the Belgian Presidency of the EU informed the Members of the European Parliament (MEPS) that it will not continue political discussion on the proposed update of the Novel Foods Regulation which means that all discussions are effectively suspended until Hungary takes over the EU presidency in January 2011. • The U.S. government is actively engaged in the issue and works closely with cloning technology providers, beef, pork and dairy trade associations, and genetic exporters to fight these nontariff barriers that could be erected for U.S. products if these measures are enacted. • ViaGen and Trans Ova Genetics, partners in Bovance, will continue to operate the Supply Chain Management (SCM) program to identify and register the clones produced. And we provide an incentive for proper disposal or marketing of the clones at the end of their reproductive life. Bovance will keep you informed on the EU issue. Please contact us with any questions at 1-877-4-Bovance (877-426-8262) or 512401-5900 (ViaGen) or 1-800-999-3586 (Trans Ova Genetics).