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Summary of current bovine artificial insemination practices in Jersey
Prepared for: Deputy P Ryan, Chairman, Bovine Semen Importation Scrutiny Panel Date: 23/06/08
This paper has been prepared as evidence for the panel to consider, in support of a question asked of one of the expert witnesses interviewed on 20/06/08 regarding current AI practices within the island.
- Prior to 2003 the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries supplied and managed, in consultation with appointed industry representatives, the following elements of a bovine AI service:
Calf rearing unit – to rear supplied contract mated bulls for semen collection
Bull housing facilities with semen processing and testing laboratory – run at full export status and compliant with EU Directive EC/88/407
Licensed storage for both export (88/407) and locally qualified semen stocks
Supply of semen from young sires for local Jersey Bull Proving Scheme
A 364 days a year AI Technician on-farm insemination service and support service for local DIY AI herds
Supply of Liquid Nitrogen – Imported as required, usually monthly, from the UK
- Since the transfer of the majority of dairy industry services to the RJA&HS on 01/01/03 the following elements of a revised AI service, managed in line with a saving in excess of 30% of the previous stated overall cost of all dairy industry services to the taxpayer, has been run under the auspices of the Society's trading company Jersey Island Genetics Ltd (JIG).
Licensed laboratory for the processing and storage of semen for the local dairy industry
Semen collection, both on-farm and at recognised licensed premises, for local use.
Liaison with UK semen collection organisations and the international marketplace on opportunities for the collection of semen from JI bulls in the UK for onward export.
Collection of semen from young bulls for a scaled down testing programme and the promotion of previously proven sires for further local industry use.
364 days a year AI Technician on-farm insemination service and support service for local DIY AI herds.
Supply of Liquid Nitrogen for the cryogenic storage of semen, now manufactured in Jersey by JIG.
- In preparation of any change to the present law regarding the importation of bovine semen consultation has been progressed by JIG with the States Veterinary Officer on any additional statutory obligations. JIG is confident it can satisfy full compliance with any additional requirements, including the supply and management of a quarantine importation store.
- Further to any change in the law discussions have highlighted a number of functions that the Company could involve itself with, all of which are deemed paramount to best practise and transparency:
The Company will not promote the use of any semen other than that satisfying RJA&HS Herd Book rules pertaining to the status of the pure pedigree Jersey donor sire and semen.
Company staff will, if requested, assist any herd owner in helping select those qualifying bulls most suited to that farms management practices and breeding requirements.
The Company will regularly screen the global market for bulls proven suitable to best advance the local dairy herd, including monitoring inbreeding risks.
The Company will provide a service to source – import qualifying semen.
The Company is a subsidiary, wholly owned by the RJA&HS and is operated on a not for profit' basis for the benefit of the dairy industry.