Where are you located?
Our physical address is 2590 North 500 East, Lebanon, IN 46052. We are 5 miles east of Lebanon, IN and 40 minutes northwest of downtown Indianapolis.
How long have you been doing LAI and ET work?
While RSGI officially started in July 2012, Dr. Thompson has been providing reproduction services to the sheep and goat industry through JVC Genetics since 2006. He started working on the techniques needed to breed ewes and goats early in veterinary school. Before graduating from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Thompson spent 2 months in Australia learning from the best in the reproduction business. The mentoring relationship established while working for Dr. Dave Osborn of AllStock Genetics in NSW, Australia is still strong today. Dr. Osborn has over 30 years of experience and has been a valuable addition to our buisness.
Do you travel to client farms for work?
Yes, we currently have host sites at various locations across the US. We do both LAI and ET work on client farms. If you have an interest in what it takes to be a host site for RSGI please call the office for more information.
Do you offer “In House” programming for ewes/does?
In House programming is the process of bringing a client’s donor and/or recipients to RSGI prior to their scheduled date so that the work of preparing the ewes is done by our staff instead of the owner. We do not program does. This benefits our clients who are not close enough to our host sites or lack of time and ability to set up their donors with the best possible results. We offer programming only for our clients doing ET work. Call the office for details and pricing. Refer to the FAQ on both the ET and LAI pages for specific details on programming your ewes for success.
How far away from RSGI can I be and still haul in the day of my procedure?
We have breeders that haul to us the day of the procedure from as much as 5 hours away. RSGI has found that the “At Home” synchronizing of females for both ET and LAI work has several advantages IF the attention for detail is held to a high standard. The ability for donors, recips, and LAI females to leave and return to their own pen the same day has proven to be a very successful way to minimize stress during a very delicate time in the program.
How many animals do I need to participate in the various breeding programming?
You just need 1 ewe/doe to utilize the breeding services we offer. If you are within 5 hours of any breeding location you can haul into us either in central Indiana or one of several host sites in both in Indiana and other states where we are set up for the day. For more information on host sites call the office.
When is the best time to schedule my ewes/does for breeding work?
The earlier you call us ahead of the breeding season, the better chance you have to get your animals bred when you want. Because our lamb/goat show industry is seasonal for breeding and lambing it is more important every year to plan ahead for the breeding work you want done. Basically, CALL NOW, we schedule 12 months in advance!
Can I purchase my synchronization products from RSGI?
Yes, we always carry PG600, CIDRs, Estrumate and Folltropin V.
What is the most common detail missed by producers when following your protocol?
The biggest problem we see is that people don’t take their ewes off feed and water when they are instructed. The protocol for both LAI and ET calls for the ewes being bred or having surgery to be off feed AND water for 24 hours ahead of the procedure. It is important to follow this detail to both help position the rumen out of the way for the procedure as well as limit the risk of her aspirating regurgitated fluid/debris and bowel puncture. The rumen is a large container of feed and water so the reservoir needs emptying. There is a reason human doctors ask for the same thing before their surgeries.
What makes Reproduction Specialty Group, Inc. different from others who provide these same breeding services?
The Veterinarians at RSGI have more than 40 years of combined sheep experience. Those of us on the team at RSGI bring our clients results through an organized process that starts with a 1 on 1 conversation about your goals. We can then put in place the best pathway for you to reach the goals you have set. From planning, to protocol, to procedure, to results- we strive to help each client maximize their genetic return on their investment.
Which type of semen is generally expected to perform better?
Expectations of good quality frozen semen are less than that of good quality fresh semen. In general we see decreased fertilization rates in both LAI and embryo transfer programs using frozen semen.
How does RSGI recommend shipping/transporting frozen semen?
Semen can be easily shipped through the use of a dry liquid nitrogen tank or dry shipper. Movement of frozen semen straws from one cane to another should be done under liquid nitrogen to ensure semen quality is not damaged due to changes in temperatures. These containers are filled with liquid nitrogen or charged. The liquid nitrogen is absorbed into the linear of the tank keeping it cold without having free liquid in the tank. These tanks are then transported typically via UPS or FedEx