RBST Gene Bank - Ram Semen Appeal

Do you have a rare breed ram? We need your help!

The RBST are relaunching their appeal to collect semen from 25 rams from each of the RBST Watchlist sheep breeds, in order to represent the widest genetic diversity available in the current population. The RBST is not just collecting from those considered the best in the breed or even those that carry specific genes, we want all types represented including all scrapie genotypes. In several breeds we have conducted a bloodline analysis and specific animals have high priority.

The Trust funds transport costs (35p/mile up to £125), the collection and storage of semen (*including 15% stored for the owner free of charge, for use at any time), and the residential costs for a stay at one of the centres. Owners volunteer the ram and take him to one of the THREE collection centres. If transport is a problem for you please call the RBST as we may be able to help.

Rams are individually looked after in purpose built accommodation. If they have special requirements, please phone to discuss this with us. Rams usually go in for collection after they have completed work at home, but we do need them to be volunteered as soon as possible as spaces are limited at the collection centres.

If you are interested in taking part in the project, and being instrumental in the security of the existence of your breed, please start the process by ......

Completing the application form in our information pack and passing this onto your breed society or directly to Claire or Dawn at the RBST.

Once the details have been checked, and your ram accepted, the collection centre will contact you to arrange a date for the ram to be collected.

The semen collected will be used for the conservation of the breed:

• 55% is to go into a permanent Archive stored by the RBST
• 30% is to be stored for use in Conservation Breeding Programmes
• 15% will be available to YOU the owner, free of charge

Breeders and owners forwarding details of rams volunteered for collection will receive a payment of £20 per ram that enters the collection centre.

For more information download the Semen Collection Information Pack below or contact RBST:-

Claire Barber: claire.barber@rbst.org.uk [1]

Dawn Teverson: dawn.teverson@rbst.org.uk [2]

Telephone 024 7669 6551

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