BREEDERS are reminded that next Friday, August 31st, is the closing date for the 2018 Embryo Transfer Scheme, which aims to increase genetic improvement by maximising the genetic potential of Ireland’s top-class performance mares.

Introduced in 2017, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) approved €40,000 for the successful scheme to run again in 2018. This initiative was developed in line with recommendation R.1.2 from the Reaching New Heights report in order to accelerate the dissemination of superior genes.

The scheme is open to mares that are three years or older, are registered in a DAFM approved studbook.The mares must meet the four-star or five-star performance or progeny/half-sibling performance requirements and semen used for the embryo transfer must be from stallions who are approved in a WBFSH studbook, or a pony studbook approved by the DAFM.

COST

An application for up to four embryos per owner must be submitted before next Friday. A payment of €600 per embryo will be payable to the owner upon submission of a veterinary declaration confirming the recipient has been scanned in foal.

Application forms are available on the Horse Sport Ireland website.

Speaking about the scheme, international event rider Padraig McCarthy said: “I believe that the Embryo Transfer Scheme is probably the most significant initiative from HSI to support the breeding, and breeders of top-class young horses in recent years.”