Minitube Australia TechDays drives future of cattle reproduction

Day one highlights

The event kicked off with a compelling veterinary lecture by Dr. Santiago Perez Wallace from Syntex Argentina, who emphasized the benefits of reproductive tract scanning prior to enrolling cattle in breeding programs. Dr. Ian Bradshaw of Cattle Veterinary Services WA followed with an in-depth look at the evolving role of veterinarians in reproductive management.

Dr. Perez Wallace returned to the stage later in the day to discuss the history and application of eCG, as well as the development of reCG in cattle. Dr. Lachlan Strohfeldt from Protein Production Vets addressed the audience on the use of Fixed Time AI (FTAI) in commercial beef herds, highlighting the critical importance of data analysis in program success.

The day continued with Professor Simon de Graaf from the University of Sydney and The Reproduction Co., who presented a detailed session on spermatogenesis and morphology in bulls. Dr. Richard Fry offered insights into the use of FSH in OPU programs, and the day concluded with a presentation from Dr. Rory Nevard, also from the University of Sydney, focusing on OPU techniques.
 

Day two developments

Day two began with a joint presentation by Dr. Lucas Cutaia (Syntex Argentina) and Dr. Bruno Martinez (Minitube), covering the development and function of progesterone devices in reproductive protocols. Dr. Ced Wise from Ced Wise AB Services then shared an engaging talk on the evolution and future of reproductive technologies.

Dr. Mark Humphris of The Milk Road provided a thought-provoking perspective on "The Human Factor" in reproductive programs and farm consultancy. Dr. Joanne Connolly from Impact Veterinary Services followed with her experiences using FTAI across various commercial herds, including Wagyu, Brahman, Angus, and crossbreeds.

Later in the day, Dr. Kilian Simmet, Head of R&D at Minitube Germany, presented a session on bull semen analysis, which was complemented by Prof. Simon de Graaf’s presentation on the key elements involved in understanding semen assessments.
 

Final day reflections

Day three opened with Dr. Kilian Simmet returning to discuss the science of semen freezing and the role of extenders. Prof. Paul Cusack, representing gold sponsor IDEXX, presented the risks of BVDV in reproduction and AI programs.

Dr. Ced Wise reflected on the progress of the reproductive industry throughout his career and shared his vision for its future. Dr. Joanne Connolly compared MOET and IVF in cattle and also delivered insights from Dr. Callan Solari (Gener8 Reproduction Tropical Vets) regarding IVF experiences.

Marie Ellul, CEO of ART Lab Solutions, discussed donor preparation for IVF programs, while Dr. Ian Bradshaw closed the event with field trial data on fixed time AI programs in Angus herds, offering a practical perspective on real-world outcomes.

The Minitube Australia Cattle TechDays 2025 proved to be a valuable platform for veterinarians, researchers, and industry professionals to share innovations, discuss challenges, and shape the future of cattle reproduction technologies.

Big thanks to all our speakers, sponsors and attendees who made this event such a success. The future of cattle reproduction is bright – and it’s collaborative.