Satisfied Entertainment Livestock Producers
Bucking Bull Breeder Gene Baker
While in Denver for a livestock show, bucking bull breeder Gene Baker saw an exhibit about the use of cloning in livestock breeding programs. He realized that cloning could help him cut down on the time and money he spends on artificial insemination, so he decided to give it a try.
Mr. Baker has placed orders with ViaGen for clones of three of his best animals. A bull named Houdini was his first choice.
“Houdini’s bulls have been consistent, and his heifers even more so,” Mr. Baker says. “I’m sure there are plenty of bulls out there as good or better, but the trick is to find them. I’d been fortunate enough to find Houdini.”
Mr. Baker also chose to clone another top performing bucking bull and a cow that has produced many top bulls.
“Science has already improved the cattle industry, and cloning is part of that evolution,” Mr. Baker says. “The benefit of cloning for the bucking bull industry is mostly as a tool for breeding. Sure, there will be a few great bull clones that buck, but cloning to raise short-go bulls isn’t practical. My advice is to select a cow that you’ve bred to a lot of different bulls, or a sire who works on all types of cows, where the offspring are consistently at a high standard, and there’s your candidate for cloning. Then the clones become part of your breeding program.”
Learn more about ViaGen’s gene banking and cloning services.