AI, embryos, YPERIOS crossbreeding, hornless: the quest for genetic progress with AURIVA-Elevage

GAEC BOUDOU JUGIEU - Argences-en-Aubrac (12)

In the heart of the Aubrac region, in the commune of Argences-en-Aubrac, Corinne and David Boudou have been using the services offered by AURIVA and their breeding company Coopelso since the very beginning to develop the genetics of their young herd.

Their journey began with Corinne, who took over the family farm in 2013 in Aveyron, followed by David, who set up independently in 2018 in Cantal. In 2021, the passionate couple decided to merge the two entities and form a GAEC.

GAEC BOUDOU JUGIEU
120 hectares of UAA: 100% natural permanent grassland spread over Aveyron, Cantal and Lozère regions
Traditional extensive Aubrac system (0.4-0.5 LU/ha)

60 AUBRAC mothers
40 AIs per year
OS membership and VA4 performance check
Production of grazers (2/3 lean and 1/3 fattened): heifers for IGP Fleur d’Aubrac and males for markets such as Greece and Italy.

Buying embryos means investing in the best genetics available today. This allows us to progress much faster than if we had to go it alone. Some breeders are already a long way ahead of us, who are just starting out, sometimes up to 10 generations ahead.

David BOUDOU

Purchasing embryos and using hornless embryos

Since 2017, Corinne and David have been buying AURIVA embryos to accelerate the genetic progress of their herd. For David, the importance of using embryos is clear:

” We generally buy 4 embryos a year, as an investment in the future. Thanks to this approach, we’ve bred two superb heifers in the herd, one of which is hornless : UKRAINE, an OTTO daughter by MARQUISE. “

Thanks to embryos purchased from the AURIVA bank and the work of Coopelso’s TE teams, the BOUDOU-JUGIEU family has bred SPIROU PP, a homozygous bull without horns, present in the AURIVA genetic offer since 2022. This bull features a mixed profile, with wide shoulders, pelvises and thighs, extending the hornless range in the Aubrac catalog.

For David and Corinne, the hornless gene represents the future of Aubrac breeding. Hornless is an unavoidable development in AUBRAC. I consider myself avant-garde, I love innovation! My aim is to introduce a homozygous hornless strain into our herd, enabling us to produce and market embryos with AURIVA. As much as I like horned cows, I think that these days, export, meat production and safety are far more important priorities than horns. “.

Crossbred calves and sexed semen

The use of YPERIOS crosses, and more particularly YPERIOS EXC (Charolais Excellence) crosses, has become an essential component of the breeding strategy. The females from this cross are sold under the Fleur d’Aubrac PGI, while the males are destined for international markets, notably Greece and Italy. The couple gradually decided to increase the number of calves from this cross. David explains: ” Calves are very well valued, with price differences of up to €500 between a “bad” Aubrac heifer and a good Aubrac/YPERIOS cross. We tried using pure-bred Charolais bulls for natural breeding on the farm, but it didn’t work out. “

At the same time, David and Corinne are also fervent users of sexed semen. They have noticed price differences of up to €400 between crossbred males and females. To maximize their chances of obtaining a batch of male calves, they opt for sexed male semen. David shares his experience : ” I’ve had just as much success with AI using sexed seed as with conventional seed. In the end, the extra cost of sexing pays for itself at the time of final sale. Don’t be afraid to invest to prepare for future sales “.

For the couple, the undeniable advantage of the YPERIOS lies in the ease of birth it offers compared to purebred Charolais. David jokes: ” Especially as we have small cows, which is where the YPERIOS cross really excels! Calves are born smaller but develop well. They have fine limbs and fine leather, guaranteeing the birth of high-quality calves.

For the past three years, the two breeders have also been carrying out some AI with sexed female semen on their best cows. When it comes to choosing bulls, they have complete confidence in their inseminator, Christophe CLAMENS, who takes into account the herd’s selection objectives. Sires such as ROCKY or ROYAL were used to ensure the renewal of the best females.

"To save money, we highly recommend the YPERIOS cross, even more so with the possibility of sexing. Breeders wishing to produce Fleur d'Aubrac heifers can opt for female sexing, while those aiming for grazer production can choose male sexing - it's multi-card!".

David et Corinne BOUDOU

A word from Christophe CLAMENS - Coopelso inseminator

David and Corinne are not experienced breeders, but they learn gradually, are curious and above all listen to the technicians and inseminators. Little by little, we’re trying to introduce more and more AI. At first, we had to adjust the feed, as AI is more effective if the cows are in good condition. Over time, they have improved their practices and have not been discouraged by the unexpected. In partnership with the AURIVA team, we provide all the necessary services to help them progress quickly and in the right direction; this good teamwork even led them to present OSLO daughter heifers on the AURIVA stand at the Sommet de l’Elevage this year. It’s a story that’s just beginning, and one that’s still unfolding!