What is the RBST National Gene Bank?

Although RBST had for many years collected, stored and distributed rare breed cattle semen, the need to expand the archive to include other species of rare breeds became urgent as a result of the 2001 Foot and Mouth epidemic.  RBST now collects semen from all the breeds on the Watchlist, except the poultry breeds for inclusion within the Gene Bank. Storage of semen will allow conservation breeding to take place and also to enable breeds to be re-established, should it be necessary in the future.  Thus the conservation of our native rare breeds will be optimised, both in the medium and the longer term, complementing the breeding programmes of rare breed owners ‘on the ground’. In 2002 the Rare Breeds Survival Trust applied successfully to the Tubney Charitable Trust for funding to collect and store semen from the sheep and goat breeds we list as rare. The 2009 – 2010 is the last year of this funding. However, RBST will continue to be collecting semen from our rare breeds for the foreseeable future.

 What breeds are you looking for?

 RBST would welcome nominations of rams and male goats of all the sheep and goat breeds on the current RBST watchlist, categories 1-5. However, in assessing acceptance for the project, priority will be given to breeds in categories 1-3 and to males representing rare bloodlines as highlighted by Geneped breed analyses carried out between RBST and breed societies/breeders groups.

Do they need to be top class show animals?

RBST is not just collecting from show winners and those considered the best in the breed. We want all types in for collection so that the RBST National Gene Bank represents the genetic diversity found in each breed. In several breeds we have conducted a Geneped breed analysis which enables us to highlight the different bloodlines in a breed, and request and select rams representative of those bloodlines – both rare and more common – for collection.

What about scrapie genotypes?

The RBST do not take into consideration scrapie genotypes in our criteria when assessing the suitability of a male for RBST semen collection (however, if know it may be recorded on our records). The assessment is made on the basis of the animal’s pedigree. This is to ensure that males for RBST semen collection are not closely related, and that the 25 males we aim to collect from for each breed, represents the broad genetic diversity exhibited by the current live population.

 Can I use any of the straws?

YES! For each animal the RBST collects semen from, the total number of straws will be divided as follows:

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 and stored by RBST free of charge until the owner wishes to use it.

 If an owner would like to make further collections over and above the proposed collection period for RBST, all costs after this time and any further health tests must be met in full by the owner.  The collection centre (Innovis Ltd for rams and male goats) and the RBST would need to be notified of any intention to do this prior to semen collection beginning.

 What are the costs involved?

The RBST will cover all residency costs for animals at the centre, as well as the cost of semen collection and storage costs. However, some owners may incur some costs regarding the transportation of their animals to the centre. To help meet these costs RBST reimburse travel expenses at the rate of 35p a mile upto a maximum of £125.00. We are aware for those travelling long distances that this amount may not cover all costs incurred by the owner. Should transportation be a problem, please contact Claire Barber (Tel: 024 7669 8767, email: claire@rbst.org.uk), as the RBST may be able to assist with arranging transport in some cases. 

 Where are the collection centres?

RBST use two collection centres, run by Innovis Ltd – one near Malvern and the other near Edinburgh. For maps and locations of the centres: http://innovis.smartdata.co.uk/howtofindus

 I have heard you use electric ejaculation?

The RBST DO NOT at any time request or use this method to obtain a semen collection. Innovis Ltd would only carry out such a procedure following the direct request and signed consent of the animal’s owner.

 How long will the collection process take?

The animals usually stay at the centre for upto 21 days. Depending on how well the animal is performing, its stay may be shorter or longer. If you need the animal(s) returned to you by a set date, please inform us of this, so that RBST can make the centre aware of this.

Who do I need to call to get involved?

Please contact Claire Barber on Tel: 024 7669 8762 or Email: Claire@rbst.org.uk to discuss further, or alternatively complete the nomination form (…state where it is) with a copy of the animal(s) pedigree and return to Claire by email or post to RBST, Stoneleigh Park, Nr Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2LG.

When are you looking to collect?

RBST hopes to collect from rams at the optimum time for semen collection – in the autumn months – or as soon as you have taken your ram(s) out from the ewes if you are using him/them. For the more primitive breeds of sheep (Boreray, Soay, North Ronaldsay etc) this collection window is quite narrow, and it is ideal that rams enter the centre before the end of December. So that the places at the collection centre can be booked, please nominate your rams to the RBST as soon as possible in the late summer and early autumn, preferably before the 31st October. Animals will start to enter the centre in September, and some will need to go in during January and February 2010, depending on when they are available for collection.

Photo: John R Lane, North Ronaldsay