Improving the genetic quality of dairy cattle can be achieved through reproductive techniques such as embryo transfer. This technology, aimed at enhancing dairy cattle genetics, requires technical expertise and embryo donors that meet health standards and possess superior genetic traits. Therefore, there is a need to strengthen the capacity of farmers and technical officers in the livestock and animal health sectors of relevant agencies.
This was discussed in a workshop titled Refreshing Embryo Transfer Techniques, held at the Auditorium of the UGM Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FKH UGM) on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025.
The workshop, a collaboration between FKH UGM, the Yogyakarta Agriculture and Food Security Agency (DPKP DIY), and Rumah Energi with support from Danone, featured several speakers, including Professor of Reproduction and Obstetrics at FKH UGM, Agung Budiyanto; Dr. Erif Maha Nugraha Setyawan from FKH UGM; Fahrudin Hidayat, representing DPKP DIY; and Ruth Subodro, FRESH Program Manager at Rumah Energi.
Professor Budiyanto stated that embryo transfer technology is an accelerated method for improving genetic quality because the resulting offspring inherit 100% of their genetics from superior sires.
However, he also reminded participants that the method requires high costs, technical expertise, and donors that meet strict health and genetic standards.
“FKH UGM and its partners hope that the transfer of knowledge and capacity building for farmers can be sustained so that the quality of dairy cattle in the Yogyakarta Special Region continues to improve and can compete at the national level,” he said.
Dr. Setyawan echoed this view, emphasizing that in addition to competent technical officers, farmers also require specialized training, given that this technology is more complex than artificial insemination.
“Challenges in tropical cattle, such as heat stress, nutritional deficiencies, and limited funding, must also be taken into account in field practices,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Fahrudin Hidayat stressed that distributing embryos alone is insufficient without adequate technical training.
Moreover, he noted that this initiative will also support the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, which includes milk consumption as one of its main activities.
Ruth Subodro highlighted that their farmer empowerment program, which has been run since 2022, has shown significant results during the Foot and Mouth Disease (PMK) outbreak in Yogyakarta.
In efforts to restore livestock populations, Rumah Energi has implemented a cooperative-based cattle credit system and believes embryo transfer could be a solution to accelerate the restoration of genetic quality.
Author: Ika Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna