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Filly birth offers hope for rare horse breed
Tullis Matson, owner of Stallion AI Services with the foal and Dr Gareth Starbuck with Ruby.

New arrival follows innovative approach to sex-sort semen.

Equine reproduction specialist Stallion AI Services has announced the birth of a healthy filly Suffolk Punch foal, which, in a world-first, was created using sex-sorted sperm to determine the gender.

The experts used specialist equipment to sex-sort the semen before insemination based on the difference in DNA content between X and Y bearing spermatozoa. The foal was born to mother Ruby, owned by Nottingham Trent University, and father Holbeach Iggy, owned by Mike Clarke of Holbeach Farm, Suffolk.

Ruby and Holbeach Iggy were chosen and matched based on their DNA as part of a project between The Rare Breed Survival Trust and Nottingham Trent University. The project uses pedigree information to enable the breeding of small populations in a way that minimises the risk of inbreeding and genetic decline.

“This is tremendous news for anyone concerned with the conservation of our native equines,” explained Christopher Price, chief executive of the Rare Breed Survival Trust. “The most effective way of increasing the population size of this very rare breed is by increasing the number of fillies being born.

“The project demonstrates the viability of using new techniques for selecting female foals in order to increase the breeding population much more rapidly than could be achieved through relying on traditional methods. We hope it will prove to be a model for more projects in the future.”

Currently, there are estimated to be just two female Suffolk Punches remaining in the UK and less than 300 in the world. With every female born vital to the survival of this species, researchers believe this new technology could provide a lifeline to this critically endangered species.

Dr Gareth Starbuck, Head of Animal and Equine Sciences in Nottingham Trent University, said: “The birth of this foal marks a major step towards securing the future of the Suffolk horse and all other rare animal breeds.  We are overjoyed that the eleven-month wait has resulted in success and I want to thank everyone who has played a part in it.

“It has been a pleasure to work with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust to further develop the process of mare and stallion matching amongst rare breeds."

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.