Q: How much semen should I freeze?
A: Frozen semen preserves your stud dog’s genetic contribution for use in the future, for use by other breeders, and as insurance should an unfortunate illness or accident befall your stud. Ideally, we recommend, if you have the opportunity and means to freeze semen, try to freeze enough to build an inventory sufficient for all 3 of the above purposes. This may mean 5-10 breeding units for your own use or as insurance and 20 or more breeding units for sale to others or future use.
Q: How is the semen stored?
A: Semen is stored in specifically designed liquid nitrogen cryogenic tanks similar to a vacuum flask. Our semen storage tanks are located on site and are quality checked daily. All tanks are stored in a secure lock-up site and liquid nitrogen is topped up as required to maintain the stable temperature within the tank.
Q: How long does Frozen Semen last?
A: Researchers tell us that frozen semen has an indefinite lifespan, provided correct storage and handling procedures have been maintained.
Q: What day of her season will my bitch be ready for breeding?
A: Ovulation and oestrus vary between bitches, and between seasons for the same bitch. We suggest that you have a progesterone test conducted 6 or 7 days into your bitch’s season, so that we can devise a plan for further testing and when to breed. If your bitch has previously had a condition that suggests progesterone testing should be conducted earlier, timing should correspond to that condition.
Q: Can I transport semen to and from other countries?
A: Semen can be transported to and from most countries throughout the world provided correct quarantine requirements are met. Most countries have specific blood testing and vaccination requirements that must be performed prior to the freezing and importation of frozen semen. Sires On Ice maintains a database of these requirements that enable us to streamline the process on your behalf.
Q: How do I book transport?
A: Sires On Ice’s Transport page enables you to obtain cost estimates and to book transport directly from our website, 24 hours a day. The most timesaving way for you to book transport is to go to the Transport page of this website, click on the link on the right hand side for the type of transport that you need, and fill in and submit the form to us. We will then process your request, or contact you if we have any questions.
Q: How is semen transported?
A: Sires On Ice transports your frozen semen in specifically designed cryogenic liquid nitrogen dry vapor tanks/shippers which provide the maximum possible safety throughout the shipping process.