What is the primary purpose of embryo transfer in livestock breeding?

The primary purpose of embryo transfer in livestock breeding is to increase the number of offspring from superior females. This practice allows breeders to maximize the genetic potential of their best females by enabling them to produce multiple offspring in a shorter time frame. Instead of allowing a superior female to carry and give birth to a single calf annually, her embryos can be harvested and implanted into other females that serve as surrogate mothers. This process not only accelerates the propagation of desirable genetic traits but also provides an efficient way to breed top-performing animals without putting all reproductive pressure on the elite females.

In contrast, enhancing feeding programs, improving meat quality, or decreasing calving time may be desirable in different contexts of livestock management but do not directly relate to the specific and primary goal of embryo transfer, which is focused on maximizing offspring production from high-quality genetic stock.