We are constantly monitoring the situation with regard to export markets that have Health Certificates in place allowing the importation of semen from the UK.
We are members of the British Livestock Genetics Consortium and the link to their website will give an update of countries where trading is possible.
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Bulls are housed in excellent, comfortable and airy conditions. We pride ourselves on the quiet but firm handling of all bulls. It is often remarked by visitors how quiet the bull barn is and this is because the bulls are content and used to a well ordered routine. We weigh and photograph every bull as he arrives at the stud and then again on leaving.
We DNA test any bull that has not been tested at that point and we can work with owners to get the bulls photographed whilst with us. We thoroughly recommend the services of Eric Beard.
Semen collection takes place in an adjacent barn and much thought and experience is used to get the very best results from each bull, all of which have their own characters and characteristics. The semen, once collected by allowing the bull to mount a “teaser” steer or heifer, is immediately taken to the laboratory for a preliminary assessment. If the semen is satisfactory at this stage it is then processed, diluted and frozen. A few days later, a straw from each batch is thawed and re-examined. If there is any doubt about the viability of the semen at this stage it is discarded.
The semen that passes all of these rigorous in house tests is then placed in a quarantine container and sent to the quarantine store for one month. This is a mandatory regulation to make absolutely sure that the donating bull is not incubating any disease at the time of collection. If the bull is, the semen from that collection will be destroyed.
At the end of one month’s quarantine in a special flask, the semen is then moved into the EU Store or On Farm Store for storage in a large container. The straws are counted, checked and catalogued in a database system for easy monitoring, management and access at a later date.
Transfer of semen can only be activated by written authority on a standard Order Form that can be faxed or sent by the owner. Where possible, export orders are consolidated to save the costs of transport.
