More than 4 million animals were slaughtered during the 2001 Foot and Mouth epidemic. One way in which we can ensure that our farm livestock breeds are not put at such risk again is to store semen for the future. In the event of such a catastrophe, use of stored semen could ensure the continuation of specific bloodlines or even whole breeds.
The aim is to collect from 25 males from each breed, to represent the widest genetic diversity available in the current population. The RBST are not just collecting from those considered the best in the breed or even those which carry specific genes, we want all types represented.
Of the semen collected, there are 3 different uses:
55% is to go into a permanent National Archive stored by the RBST
30% is to be stored for use in Conservation Breeding Programmes
15% will be available to the owner, free of charge
In order for this project to succeed the Trust must work in harmony with owners and Breed Societies. The Trust will fund the collection and storage of the semen, the livery/residential costs for a stay at one of the centres, transport costs (30p/mile up to £100) and any pre-entry health checks that are required. Owners supply the ram and take him to the collection centre.
If you are interested in joining the project, and being instrumental in the security of the existence of your breed, there is a simple way to begin:
For each ram accepted a payment of £20 will be made to your Breed Society
For more information please contact Dawn Teverson at the RBST's office 024 7669 6551 or e-mail on dawn.teverson@rbst.org.uk
The Programme:
The RBST ReGENEration Appeal Semen Collection Programme started in the autumn
of 2002, with a view to collecting semen from 25 unrelated rams from each
listed breed over a 5-year period.
The main reason for collecting the semen is to ensure each breed is protected against any possible future catastrophe. The semen is placed in permanent storage where it will remain and only mobilised if it is needed to avert disaster. The FMD epidemic of 2001 highlighted to the RBST and breeders alike just how vulnerable many species of livestock were, and how easily some breeds could have been wiped out. One of the ReGENEration Appeal's main aims was to secure funding in order to collect and preserve genetic material to lay down what in effect is an invaluable insurance policy for rare breeds. Some of the semen is kept for conservation purposes and a proportion (15%) is offered free to the owner of the ram.
Funding:
Fortunately for the sheep breeds the RBST received a very generous grant from
the Tubney Charitable Trust in 2002, which has provided complete funding for
the collection of semen from rams for the duration of the 5-year programme.
This means that an average of 5 rams can be successfully collected for each
breed every year of the programme.
Submitting a ram:
If a breeder has a ram they would like to take part in this vital
project a 3-generation pedigree of the ram needs to be sent to the RBST office
at Stoneleigh. This pedigree is then checked against other rams already in the
project to ensure that rams are not too closely related. If these checks are
cleared, the ram is authorised into the centre. As semen collection is possible
between July/August and the following January, and rams can be authorised and
booked into the centre well in advance. The RBST works hard with CBS
Technologies to ensure that the date and time of entry into the centre is
mutually convenient either before the natural breeding season or after. The
Trust's Projects Manager (Susie Craddock) is more than happy to answer any
questions on the collection process or the programme as a whole and encourages
breeders to call the RBST on 024 7669 6551 to discuss any part of the project.
Results to date:
To date the numbers of Southdown rams coming through into the programme
have been somewhat disappointing with only 2 successful collections in 2002 and
2 in 2003 (end Nov 03). This leaves the bank 6 rams behind target and nearing
the close of the second season for collection. The RBST would like to encourage
breeders interested in participating to contact the office as early as possible
in the year to begin planning for collections in 2004.
Susie Craddock, RBST, Projects Manager, 1st December 2003
The ReGENEration bank, the single largest gene bank project for Sheep and Goats in the UK, will see semen frozen from 700 rams and bucks by 2008. To date we have approximately 50 rams from 18 different breeds have visited the Centre at Malvern. We are anticipating the throughput to increase significantly in 2004 now breeders and Societies are more comfortable with the process and the advantages and benefits of the programme.
Accommodation and Management
CBS technical staff involved in collecting semen and handling stock have been formally trained to degree level and have extensive pedigree stock experience. The centre at Malvern has been freezing sheep semen for thirteen years. CBS staff respect the fact that a large majority of the animals visiting the Collection Centre have never 'left home' before and fully appreciate that this can be a daunting experience for both ram/buck and owner. Bearing this in mind there is no limit to the amount of 'TLC' the animals receive. " The staff at the Centre were sympathetic to the animals and none of the rams showed any sign of stress on collection; or later." (Mr B. Cassie, North Ronaldsay Breeder)"
To eliminate disease transmission, animals are kept in comfortable,
individually straw bedded pens. At all times rams can see and smell other rams
so despite being physically isolated they are aware of company at all times.
"Accommodation was adequate in well strawed pens….Casper didn't
want to leave at the end of his stay!" (Mr B Cassie)
"Your set-up was very clean and well organized which was
appreciated"(Mr D Clarry, Oxford Down Breeder)
The collection process
The rams are trained to serve a teaser ewe and semen is collected by interception with an 'Artificial Vagina' the ram is completely unaware that he has been fooled and usually trots back to his pen with a feeling of great achievement! " The process …seemed to be a very natural way of collection and caused no distress to the rams - quite the contrary" (Mr B Cassie)
As soon as the ram/buck arrives at the Centre, in the presence of the breeder, it is usual for CBS Technicians to collect a preliminary sample as an indicator of the individual rams fertility. "The fact that once the ram had settled you took a semen sample, which proved to be very good, allowed me to know that his visit was going to be worthwhile" ( Mr D. Clarry, Oxford Down)
The semen freezing 'season' generally extends from June to February, however the optimum time for successful semen collections is breed dependent. CBS Technologies will advise RBST and Breed Societies of the respective ideal collection and freezing times. The rule of thumb however is to present rams as soon after they have completed their natural service on farm. Delaying entry of the rams to the centre may cause problems with training the rams as libido by decrease once the rams are taken from the ewes, this in some cases will also cause a decrease in the quality of semen and affect the results of the freezing process.
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| Ram Marlton X5 |
The aim of the project is to collect a minimum of 70 straws (1 straw is enough to inseminate 1 ewe) from each ram/buck. The length of time over which this semen is collected depends greatly on the individual. Animals are normally resident for 12 days but this may vary due to:
Ram Preparation on Farm
By kind permission of the ARK, publication of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust
Semen Collection Southdown
During the first year, 14 different breeds of sheep had semen successfully collected with almost 2500 insemination doses frozen. This amounts to 1400 doses now in storage as part of the RBST's National Archive. The current situation with the Southdown is:
2002/2003 Successful Collections
2002/2003 Unsuccessful Collections
For 2003/2004 I would like for more Southdown rams to enter into the project to build on the start made in 2002/2003. Rams are best entering between now and early February, either before they have achieved their work at home or once they have completed this work for the coming season.
15% of the semen will be offered to the owner of the ram. Travelling expenses on the basis of 30p per mile up to a maximum of £100
Susie Craddock, Projects Manager RBST,, N.A.C, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire CV8 2LG. Tel. 024 7669 6551; e-mail: enquiries@rbst.org.uk
The RBST has obtained a grant of £250,000 over five years to establish a National Rare Breeds Semen Bank. The Southdown Sheep Society has agreed to support this venture and we are asking all our members to consider supplying a ram.
AIM to collect a minimum of 70 straws from 25 rams from each of the 29 sheep and goat breeds recognised by the RBST. First the collection will be in conjunction with the Breed Society and then the owners. Secondly after a more detailed analysis of each breed, using information stored electronically with registrations for the past thirty years. This will try to make sure that the semen collected represents the broad genetic diversity that the current live population exhibits.
USAGE
55% into a permanent National Archive stored by the RBST
30% stored for use in Conservation Breeding Programmes
15% available to the owner free of charge
COST
Owner contributes the Southdown on a no cost basis
No money paid for the semen
Date arranged for the ram to go to the centre to stay up to 14 days
Owner return to collect the ram
DEFRA needs to be consulted by owner and approve visit of ram to centre and
return
RBST will meet the fuel costs to take and return ram to and from centre up to
£100
RBST will pay Southdown residency cost and cost of collection of semen
If you are interested, notify the Secretary, e-mail: secretary@southdownsheepsociety.co.uk and he will arrange for an information pack and donor form to complete.
Further information from:
the Secretary, tel. 01234 838807, e-mail:
secretary@southdownsheepsociety.co.uk
or Susie Craddock, tel. 024 7669 6551, e-mail:
susie.craddock@rbst.org.uk