Livestock reproduction research improves herds
By Peter Kent
To livestock producers, breeding is everything. The right mix of genes can lead to a blue-ribbon horse, a high producing dairy cow or a prime quality sow or steer. But one animal is not enough for a business. You have to figure out how to reproduce that animal and improve favorable genetic traits. That’s where John Gibbons’ research comes in.
Gibbons is a reproductive physiologist in Clemson’s animal and veterinary sciences department. His specialty is improving the chances that top quality livestock will produce top quality offspring. He focuses on ovulation, with a goal to stimulate selected females to produce more eggs. The eggs are fertilized, and then the embryos are transferred to other females who carry them to term.
This research offers significant promise to livestock breeders for increasing the quantity and quality of their herds. Gibbons also hopes his work will lead to Clemson becoming a center for information on improving livestock reproduction and a source for reproductive services.
For information: John Gibbons, 864-656-3138, firstname.lastname@example.org