Breeding Contract: Frozen Semen
Frozen semen is a convenient way to breed mares but raises many problems with writing breeding contracts. To protect the reputation of the stallion, the owner may choose to release semen to a veterinarian or insemination center only. The number of foals produced from a single dose of semen can be controlled by the number of breeding certificates issued per breeding dose sold. Directions on number of straws/ breeding and thawing procedure can be placed in the contract to avoid any confusion. As with all contracts, a legal review should be obtained (Examples can be found on the Internet).
The owner of the stallion and mare (if mare is being leased), stallion name & registration id, mare to be bred to the stallion (including registration id), veterinarian or breeding center.
: Clearly state which party is responsible for all fees and how and when fees are paid. Fees can be particularly costly if the semen is imported/exported.
- breeding fee: how many doses of frozen semen (multiple dose discount)
- frozen semen production costs
- nitrogen tank rental
- insurance of semen &/or container
- semen storage
- shipping fee, insurance
- import/export permits
- export health testing
- customs fees
- broker's fees
- Shipping to veterinarian or insemination center only?
- Definition of a dose of semen
- Directions for thawing and usage
- Expected post-thaw parameters
- No guarantee of fertility, know conception rates
- Testing for STDs (EVA, EIA, CEM, Dourine and Glanders): others as per import regulations of country
- Copy of mare's registration papers for stallion's breeding record
- Vet certificate of breeding soundness of mare
- Veterinarian supervision of breeding
- Embryo transfer notification
- Pregnancy detection requirements: days of examination, for twins
- Requirements of immunizations (Rhino)
- May put in statement that owner of mare must understand mare's registry requirements for registration of foals from frozen semen & is responsible for any testing or documentation of the mare required
Commonly Used Frozen Semen Contracts
Buyer pays in advance for each dose of semen and may breed as many mares as they can with the dose.
- Major disadvantage: You have no control over the management of the semen or mare. Mismanagement can ruin the reputation of your stallion's fertility.
Several straws per breeding (3-6 is typical) of frozen semen is sold with no limit on the number of mares bred however only one breeding certificate is issued per breeding fee. This contract requires that unused semen be destroyed or returned. There is no incentive to use less than the optimal number of straws/ insemination. If there are unused doses, another fee can be paid to use semen on another mare or the next breeding season.
Similar to above but with an additional breeding dose if the mare does not conceive.
This is the most attractive to mare owners but should only be used if the mare is closely managed. This contract is most often used when a frozen semen agent distributes the semen. Since the agent's income is directly dependent on the results, they monitor the use of the semen closely. This scenario is used most often when semen is exported to Europe.
