GENETICS and artificial breeding services provider Wise Repro has opened its new state-of-the-art semen processing laboratory on Queensland’s Granite Belt, marking a significant step forward in bovine reproductive services.

The new lab is located at Ced Wise AB Services in Glen Aplin, at the crossroads of Southern Queensland and Northern NSW’s major beef producing regions.

The new facility boosts reproductive service capacity for northern and eastern breeders.

More than 70 representatives from government, research institutions, and the cattle industry attended the opening, showing strong interest in Wise Repro’s growing role as a northern hub for advanced bovine reproductive services.

The event took place against the region’s rolling hills and granite formations, a fitting setting for a business shaped by decades of resilience, ambition and innovation.

Wise Repro’s longstanding contributions to Australia’s cattle industry were a central theme throughout the day.

Government-backed investment accelerates expansion

Chairman Dr Ced Wise, recipient of the Australian Cattle Veterinarians 2025 Jakob Malmo Bovine Practitioner of the Year, welcomed attendees, including James Lister MP, Member for Southern Downs, attending on behalf of Queensland Minister for Primary Industries, the Hon. Mr Tony Perrett.

Dr Wise acknowledged support from the Queensland Government’s Backing Business in the Bush Fund, which fast-tracked the development. He also recognised Southern Downs Regional Council and Cr Russell Wantling for assisting with the project through the regulatory process.

“The grant meant we could get this done now,” Ced shared, acknowledging the role the funding played in enabling deliberate regional investment.

But his strongest acknowledgement was directed to producers.

“The most important people here are the cattle producers who support our business,” Dr Wise said.

“Many have backed us since the beginning, and we’re grateful for that loyalty.”

Three-stage plan to grow capability, training and research

The new semen laboratory is the first stage of a three-stage development at Glen Aplin. Future stages include:

• An eight-room accommodation facility designed to house temporary staff, visiting specialists, and university students undertaking practical training.
• A purpose-built Embryo and Research Laboratory, enabling deeper integration between commercial reproduction services and scientific research.

Construction used local contractors, a deliberate choice by the Wise family to invest in the Granite Belt community.

Dr Wise took a moment to acknowledge the personal support behind the project.

He credited his wife, Rowena, “the hardest-working person I know; a great embryologist and an exceptional record keeper,” and his three children, each of whom is actively involved in Wise Repro’s operations. “Wise Repro is a family business at heart,” he said.

State-of-the-art reproductive centre aimed at industry needs

Dr Wise outlined three objectives for the expanded site: establishing a world-class centre of excellence for bovine semen and embryo collection; developing a hands-on training pipeline for universities; and strengthening the bridge between industry and research and development.

Wise Repro is in discussions with James Cook University, the University of Queensland, and the University of Sydney to develop practical reproductive training programs to help address the shortage of hands-on placements for veterinary and animal science students.

The business is also collaborating with the University of Queensland and the University of Sydney on reproductive research projects.

“Having the facilities, industry knowledge, and resources to facilitate the commercialisation of new science is both exciting and incredibly important for our industry,” he said.

Wise Repro’s Leon demonstrates some technology during the official opening

A family enterprise backed by deep expertise

The Wise Repro story is deeply interwoven with Ced’s lifelong contribution to the Australian cattle industry. As a pioneer of Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer (MOET) in the 1980s, Ced has been instrumental in shaping modern bovine reproductive practices in this country.

Wise Repro today offers an integrated suite of services including:

• Semen collection and processing
• Fixed-Time AI (FTAI)
• Bull breeding soundness examinations
• Pregnancy testing
• MOET services
• Genetic storage, sales and dispatch
• Reproductive synchronization program design and supply sales
• IVF in partnership with IGT

Together, these services form a coordinated ecosystem of reproductive support for breeders across Australia.

Leadership perspective highlights business momentum

Wise Repro CEO Aline Teixeira said the new laboratory is the next step in the business’s long-term growth strategy. With nearly two decades of experience advising global agricultural enterprises before joining the Wise family company, she said the expansion reflects a combination of strong industry reputation, technical depth, and clear direction.

Ms Teixeira emphasised the depth of leadership within the organisation, noting that Chairman Dr Ced Wise’s ongoing commitment together with his family remains a central driver of the company’s progress.

She also acknowledged the contributions of the wider Wise family, whose complementary skills underpin the operation:
– Jess Wise, auditor and board member
– Dr Adam Wise, a veterinarian well known among producer communities
– Aaron Wise, CFO, recognised for his depth of knowledge in metrics around bovine reproduction solutions.

“Whether you are new to the game or well established in your own operation, I can’t think of a better next generation of leadership to look after your objectives. Aaron and Adam are the combination of high care for what is best for your herd as well as what is best for your business.”

Ms Teixeira said the strength and continuity of the leadership team placed Wise Repro in a strong position as it enters its next stage of growth.

“Every achievement in this business is the result of the people behind it — our staff, our clients, our suppliers and the community that continues to support us,” she said.

Inside the new laboratory – a tour of three cutting-edge zones

Bull accommodation focused on welfare and performance

With the completion of the expanded bull accommodation, the facility now contains 52 individual bulls, more than double the previous capacity. The area is designed to minimise stress and support consistent semen quality, using low-stress yard and pen layouts, an efficient lane system, grooming infrastructure, and access to companion steers for domestic bulls. Bulls receive a high-quality nutritional program, including cereal hay and a custom pellet developed to enhance semen quality. Semen collection will be performed using either artificial vagina or electro-ejaculator collection, recognising that individual bulls respond differently to each method. The design aims not only to deliver processing efficiency but to underpin animal welfare and performance.

Semen processing laboratory built to global standards

The new semen laboratory is fitted with Minitube’s latest technology, positioning Wise Repro among the most advanced processing sites in the world. The lab conducts full morphology analysis on every collection and uses automated systems for straw printing, filling and sealing, along with precision-controlled freezing and automated goblet packing. Post-thaw motility assessments are carried out to verify viability, with weekly client-specific reporting providing additional transparency.
The integration of global technology with rigorous internal protocols sets a high benchmark for processing quality in Australia.

Genetic storage and dispatch expanding national reach

Wise Repro has invested heavily in genetic storage and logistics infrastructure, supported by an onsite bulk liquid nitrogen vessel. The site provides storage for both client-owned tanks and Wise Repro tanks, along with domestic and export dispatch to markets across North and South America, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, Oceania and Australasia.

The facility also supports genetic product sales and the distribution of synchronisation products, reproductive equipment and vaccines.

Given Glen Aplin’s central position relative to the Darling Downs, Maranoa and Northern NSW, the storage and dispatch centre is expected to become an important hub for breeders across multiple states.

Industry response and new partnership

Industry leaders described the new semen processing facility as among the most advanced in the world.

Bondfield Agriculture’s David Bondfield praised the investment, noting its strategic position for both northern and southern herds and that it ranks among the best he has seen globally.

Angus Australia CEO Mr Scott Wright stated: “It was a great step forward for our industry this week and a privilege to attend the opening of the Wise Repro semen and embryo collection centre at Glen Aplin. This facility certainly fills a gap in the industry and will be of great service to both our seedstock members and genetic companies that service our industry. I congratulate the Wise Family on a great milestone and wish them every success as the grow their business.”

Erica and Stuart Halliday stated: “We were very impressed by the Wise Repro facility for its state of art equipment, cutting edge technology and people. The fact they do export work and jump rather than probe the bulls is really important to us from a welfare aspect and to give the best quality semen. We would like to congratulate Wise Repro team on their investment and foresight.”

Pictured at the laboratory opening were Stu and Erica Halliday, left and right, Ben Hill, Scott Wright Mel Strasburh Angus Australia

STgenetics partnership to deliver onsite sexed-semen sorting

A significant development was confirmed during the lab opening, with STgenetics announcing it will operate its sexed-semen sorting technology from the Glen Aplin laboratory early next year.

Mr Ponneelan Ganesan, Australian Laboratory Operations Manager of STgenetics said the partnership would enable onsite sorting from late January through to April 2026.

The arrangement will give producers across Southern Queensland and Northern NSW direct access to high-precision sexed semen processing, a capability expected to hold growing strategic value as herds work to tighten breeding outcomes, rebuild female numbers or target specific production pathways.

Positioning for the next decade

CFO Aaron Wise outlined the company’s internal quality standards, including a requirement of at least 8 million morphologically normal, progressively motile sperm per straw, assessed under the UQ Sperm Morphology Standardisation Program, widely considered the gold standard.

The new state-of-the-art semen processing laboratory strengthens Wise Repro’s position as a major service provider for both seedstock and commercial breeders, supporting herd rebuilding, genetic progress and research capability across the northern and eastern beef industries.

With further expansion still to come, Glen Aplin is set to become an increasingly important centre for bovine reproduction, training and innovation. The facility marks not just the expansion of a family business, but a significant step forward for the Australian cattle industry.

Click here to access Wise Repro website.