KELLY COX | COX STOCK, LLC FEATURE STORY
The end of a show career can be the beginning of something even bigger.
For Cox Stock, LLC, that next chapter began when “Cici” stepped out of the show ring and into RSG’s donor program.
Kelly Cox, owner of Cox Stock, LLC in [CITY], Iowa, puts his full trust in the RSG team when it comes to his donor program. After coming off the show season in Georgia, Cici was loaded into the livestock trailer and brought to RSG, where she would stay as part of the donor program. This ewe was special, and Cox wanted to give her every opportunity for success through IVF.
“With the RSG programming, it’s like the sheep sit there and are just happy, which has led to good IVF results,” said Cox.
For Cox, the results are important, but so is the way his animals are managed throughout the process. He has found that RSG’s donor programming helps minimize stress on his females, something he especially values when working with ewes coming directly off a show season.
With guidance from RSG’s Client Service team, Cox prepared Cici for two IVF procedures in July and August. Those two procedures resulted in 12 embryos from Cici, giving Cox Stock an exciting opportunity to carry her genetics into the next generation.
Cox Stock also utilized RSG’s recipient program for the embryos and is now awaiting pregnancy results. During the program, lambs are fed our Repro Elite feed that enhances reproductive success. With 12 embryos transferred and plenty to look forward to, Cox is excited for what could be ahead for Cici’s next chapter and the future of the Cox Stock program.
Cox has worked with RSG’s donor program for the past three to four years and has consistently chosen IVF for his females. For him, one of the biggest benefits is that the procedure is less invasive and easier on the animal—an especially important consideration for females transitioning directly from the show ring.
That transition is something Cox believes more producers should be thinking about before a show season ever comes to an end.
“Everyone should know as soon as these show ewes come off their show career, they can go into your donor program,” said Cox.
For Cici, the end of her time in the show ring wasn’t the end of her story. With 12 embryos already representing the next generation, Cox Stock is looking forward to seeing where her influence goes from here.
