Most people are well aware of the health benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids, but they have also been shown to boost conception rates in cattle.

Omega 3 supplements have been shown to increase embryo transfer success rates in one of Scotland's best known Limousin herds.

The Glenrock herd from Howgillside, Lockerbie, boasts the world record price for a female when the maiden heifer, Glenrock Illusion sold for a whopping 125,000gns at Carlisle, in 2014. That herd sale of 45 females which saw several five-figure prices from Stephen Illingworth, his wife Helen, son Thomas, and daughter Victoria, was staged to allow the purchase of a farm. Since then, they set about rebuilding the herd which was renowned for breeding top quality pedigree and commercial bulls, through an extensive ET programme. This included using embryos principally collected from the retained cow and matriach of the herd, Glenrock Spangle, which has produced progeny in excess of £500,000 to include Illusion.

Stephen has used ET for many years, producing around six ET calves per year so was experienced with the techniques. The family also purchased 50 Simmental cross Luing heifers from high health status herds across Scotland to use as recipients for embryos.

“We were comfortable using ET and were confident we could establish another outstanding herd based on some of our initial genetics and by using leading AI sires,” said Stephen.

Conception rates are the key to cost-effective ET programmes and after discussions with nutritionists David Bonsall from UFAC and Simon Mellor from McCaskie Agriculture, the Illingworths agreed to trial UFAC Omega 3 Supplement.

Omega 3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) play two key roles in bovine fertility, particularly with regard to progesterone metabolism which is the hormone with several crucial roles in fertility. Omega 3 supplement is specially formulated to ensure cows receive sufficient omega 3 and omega 6 at the optimum 4:1 ratio.

The first role is ensuring a strong follicle which results in larger, more viable eggs and increased strength of bulling behaviour. Together, these will help reduce calving to conception interval.

The second role is in reducing embryo mortality. Early embryo loss is a major contributor to extended calving to conception intervals, reduced pregnancy rates and increased culling. The correct levels on omega 3 and 6 stimulate higher levels of progesterone and lower levels of prostaglandin which together help reduce early embryo mortality.

For the study, two pens of heifers were fed 100g/animal per day of omega 3 supplement for six weeks prior to implantation and six weeks after, until pregnancy diagnosed. A third group acted as a control and was not supplemented. All other management and ET procedures were the same across all groups.

In the trial 32 heifers were synchronised and 27 embryos implanted. The conception rate in the treated groups was 55% while for the control animals it was 50%, giving a 10% increase in conception rate in treated animals.

Stephen added: “We know from our experience that the results with ET can vary considerably as there are so many elements have to fall into place. We were rather disappointed with the initial results which we think, in part, were due to implanting a higher proportion of IVF embryos which tend to have a lower conception rate. However, we were impressed that the supplemented heifers had a 10% higher conception rate."

Heifers not in calf initially were then re-synchronised. The result were significantly better with an 84% conception rate in treated animals and 74% in the control.

“The results for the second batch were far better, possibly as fewer IVF embryos were used. Yet again the omega 3 supplement helped deliver a 14% increase in conception rate.

“At a cost of £7.14 per cow for the supplementation, it would be an easy decision to use omega 3 supplement in future,” Stephen continues. “In simple terms every extra Spangle calf is a huge bonus and we got a 10% improvement which is particularly welcome as Spangle is now 18 years old and deserves to go into retirement.”

David Bonsall said: “The trial clearly shows the impact omega 3 supplement has on reproductive performance, making it a valuable addition to the diets for dairy cows, dairy heifers and commercial beef cattle as well as leading pedigree herds.”