Embryo Transplantation: Shared Progress
21 July 2026Generations of selective breeding, bloodlines cultivated with passion, and a single priority: the quality of the cows. It was against this backdrop that RAPACE was born at the SARRAUDE family’s GAEC IRIGAYA in Juxue (64). Now listed in the catalog as a Maternal Qualities bull, he represents the culmination of several decades of work focused on maternal traits.
RAPACE is a son of JABU out of GAZELLE (CALINOU/LOULOU), a cow from an iconic bloodline at the farm. Highly refined and endowed with excellent maternal qualities, she has an ALait score of 115 and an IVMAT score of 107, and was the first female on the farm to undergo embryo transfer. GAZELLE is part of a breeding program built around several historic bloodlines, which have been developed and refined over the years at GAEC IRIGAYA.
Together with her half-sister ETOILE—both daughters of the cow POLKA—she represents one of the herd’s most notable bloodlines. Other bloodlines have also helped shape the herd, such as MELBA (ARAMIS/BANCO) and MANILLE (BANCO/LEO). Several bulls born on the farm and descended from these bloodlines have also stood out, such as TREK, son of MELBA, from the first AURIZON line.
Recruited upon leaving the breeding station, RAPACE quickly lived up to the high hopes placed in him. A true sire of fillies, he imparts length and finesse—particularly in the hindquarters—while maintaining a well-balanced profile:
“I really like calves; I wish I had used more of them in my herd,” Arnaud SARRAUDE admits today.
At GAEC IRIGAYA, the breeding objectives are clearly defined: prioritizing maternal qualities, milk production, and temperament, while maintaining high-quality stock. For more than 10 years, breeding has been carried out with the support of David Gonzales, an AURIVA-Elevage technician in whom Arnaud has complete confidence.
This selection process is now reflected in the herd’s performance. With With an average IVMAT of 106 on the maternal side, GAEC IRIGAYA ranks among the top 5% of herds in the breed. Breastfeeding skills are also given special attention, with a average of 103 in ALait within the herd. This focus has a direct impact on calves born on the farm, whose PATs at 210 days are significantly higher than the breed average, with 342 kg for males and 323 kg for females.
Reproduction management also plays a central role in herd management. Having used artificial insemination exclusively since its founding, the farm posted an average IVV of 369 days for the 2025 breeding season. For Arnaud SARRAUDE, success depends above all on observation: “ Effective reproductive management is 80% monitoring! We observe the cows at least three times a day so we can take action at the right time. “. This strategy also makes it possible to better manage the herd’s genetics
“We’ve never bought in genetics; we’re proud that everything comes from our own herd. Artificial insemination provides us with genetic diversity and also helps ensure successful births. We’re very satisfied with the AURIVA bulls we’ve been using for years.”
The preview release of RAPACE during the 2023–2024 breeding season marked a turning point for breeders: “It’s a true showcase of our work, and it has also helped raise the profile of our breeding operation.” ” After passing through the various stages of maternal quality evaluation, RAPACE is now listed in the catalog as a QM bull: “We’re very happy and very proud to have a bull from the
QM program listed in the catalog!” emphasizes Arnaud.
Indeed, for the SARRAUDE family, this bull’s inclusion in the catalog represents much more than the success of a single animal. It is a testament to several decades of selective breeding, a passion for the Blonde d’Aquitaine breed, and renewed confidence in AURIVA’s genetics and teams. With RAPACE, this family legacy is taking flight and will now continue through his offspring.
FARMING IN DETAIL
- GAEC IRIGAYA – Marie-Pierre and Arnaud SARRAUDE; the family farm was taken over by Lydia & Patxi SARRAUDE in 2026
- 90 ha of UAA, including 7 ha of corn for personal consumption and the remainder as pastures
- 400 Manech red-headed ewes
- 40 breeding ewes, 100% AI
- Members of the OS and VA4 performance monitoring program
- Production of weanlings and sale of breeding stock
