ASTU recipient network
In the ASMO nucleus herd heifers are flushed twice at the age of 12-16 months. The objective is to have four daughters by each heifer. Embryos flushed from heifers in the nucleus herd are called ASTU embryos. The ASTU recipient network was formed close to ASMO nucleus herd in order to have enough recipients for embryos. The recipient network was expanded to cover all of Finland so that fresh embryos are transferred within a 50 kilometer radius from the heifer flushing centre, Suontaan Kartano, and frozen embryos are transferred nationwide. The frozen ASTU embryos are available for purchase to all dairy farmers.
The nucleus herd reserves the option to buy back heifers from the recipient network. About 10% of heifer calves born in the recipient network will be bought back to the nucleus herd. Faba buys the bull calves to AI.
