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ARBA AI Policies

Policies and Positions From The ARBA Artificial Insemination Committee

The Alternatives to Natural Breeding of Romney Sheep

  1. ARBA Stand on Artificial Matings
  2. ARBA Rules and Regulations for Semen Collection, Importation and Registration
  3. Frequently Asked Questions About Registration
  4. Semen Import Requirements
  5. Domestic Semen Collection and Semen/Embryo Transfer Information

Before beginning a collection or importation contact the Association Secretary for details.

Committees are created by and report to the Board of Directors. Please refer to the ARBA Committees page for the list of current AI Committee members.

ARBA Stand on Artificial Matings

The ARBA endorses the use of artificial matings to improve the Romney breed, including using foreign registered Romney rams and/or ewes. Animals used should be proven natural breeders, free of genetic defects and within the ARBA breed standard.

5/2023

Semen Import Requirements 

  1. The donor ram for semen must be recorded as a purebred Romney in the flock book of the country of origin. Requirements may be different for each country of origin.
  2. The breeder must be a member of the recognized Romney association of the country of origin.
  3. Collection must be made by a veterinarian or qualified technician. His/her signature is required on the ARBA Semen Collection Form, which must include documentation of the original collection place and date, amount of straws/pellets collected, and the name of the technician or veterinarian taking the collection.
  4. The semen must be packaged in straws/pellets, each of which are permanently marked with the breed, individual identification number of the donor ram, collection date, and country of origin.
  5. Donor ram and collected semen must meet all current export protocols of the originating country’s relevant Romney association.
  6. The breeder must obtain USDA, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) required permits and paperwork to import semen.

5/2023

RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR SEMEN COLLECTION, IMPORTATION AND REGISTRATION

ARBA REGISTRATION

  1. Semen collection forms must be completed and mailed with payment of registration fee to the ARBA Secretary within 60 days after collection or importation. Fees for documents received after these time periods or incomplete forms shall be equal to the greater registration fee.

ARBA requires submission of the following forms:

    • ARBA Semen Collection Form
    • A copy of an appropriate USDA importation form, if imported
    • Completed Export Certificate
    • Documentation of animal in flock book
    • Documentation of a negative Brucella ovis test
  2. ARBA secretary will then forward the documents to the AI committee for review. After the review, the secretary will contact the applicant with the results, and if approved, the secretary will inform the Associated Registry (AR) of the approval for registration processing. All forms must  be completed based on ARBA policy requirements.
  3. An ARBA registration certificate will be issued from AR after all required paperwork is submitted. One registration will be issued per ram, not per unit of semen.

5/2023

Domestic Semen Collection and Semen/Embryo Transfer

  1. Romney ram must be ARBA registered.
  2. The owner must be an ARBA member in good standing.
  3. The semen must be packaged in straws/pellets, each of which are permanently marked with the breed, individual identification number of the donor ram, collection date and facility and country of origin.
  4. Return completed semen collection form and registration fee to the ARBA secretary.

Semen Collection Form

Transfer of Semen Form

Embryo Transfer Form

Artificial Insemination Form

Page updated: 04/03/2024

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