Sperm Bank Opens to Save Rare Breeds
SPAIN – Four cooperative agreements have been signed to protect rare sheep and cattle genetics, the ministry of agriculture has announced.Genetic material from the Asturiana de los Valles, Sayaguesa, and black pied Colorado cattle breeds is to come under the protection of a government database.
Semen, oocytes and embryos are to be stored at the Centre for Animal Selection and Reproduction at the Animal Germplasm Bank.
Under the greatest risk is the Sayaguesa breed, now down to 1,569 registered animals and concentrated mainly round Castille and Leon.
The Colorado Black Pied currently has 5,519 strong population and is concentrated in the South Western areas.