Extinction is forever

There is currently no systematic collection of sperm or embryos of rare breeds in Australia. The Rare Breeds Trust of Australia (RBTA) was established to perserve, protect and promote those breeds of domestic livestock that are in danger of extiction. Consequently, we are establishing a gene bank to help breed diversity is preserved into the future. 

All donations - either financial or of genetic material - will be gratefully received. The RBTA is run entirely by volunteers. We receive no government funding, with the gene bank funded solely by donations and membership fees. 

We hope to grow the gene banl into a comprehensive collection that will safeguard our breeds and bloodlines into the future. Semen and embryos will be stored in more than one facility, and for the sole purpose of providing a safeguard for breed viability into the future. Conservation need will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the RBTA directors and will be used in animals that have been inspected and deemed suitable. Semen and embryos from any viable stock are in tirn to be donated back by the recipient to the RBTA for conservation purposes. 

Current genetic material

• Belmont Red
• Tuli
• Mandalong Special
• British White
• Timor Pony

Belmont Red

Belmont Red is a cattle breed developed in Australia by the CSIRO. RBTA purchased the straws when these were sold by the CSIRO in 2019. Straws are currently stored at JustGenes in Brisbane, who generously do not charge us. At present this breed is listed as recovering. 

Tuli

Tuli are a critically rare cattle breed. Straws have been generously donated by Julia Jose of Wolvi, Queensland, in 2021. The Tuli material is stored at Beef Breed Services, Wacol, Queensland. Andrew Kennett kindly funds this. Tuli bulls are Kikami (43), light red polled - collected in 1991 and Lupala (23), dark red polled - collected in 1991. 

British White

British White are a vulerable cattle breed. Straws were donated by Craig Cross of Nanthes Stud in northeastern Victoria. Material is currently storage in Brisbane. 

Mandalong Special

Mandalong Special is a rare Australian cattle breed. RBTA currently has five straws from Charlton Park. These were brought and donated by Yan Keynhans in 2022. 

Timor Pony

Timor Ponies are a breed that occurs on Timour Island and on the Coburg Peninsula, Australia. Thry are threatened by government eradiction as a feral animal. Reg Wilson arranged the capture of these little stallions on Coburg in 2011. Two mares were also captured. The mares and stallions were donated by Mr Wilson to good homes to keep the breed alive. Stallions are Snowy Xanthos (160 straws) and Snowy Ginger (159 straws). The straws are stored at Ovasem, Victoria. The collection of straws cost many thousands, and was kindly arranged, paid for and donated to RBTA by Tess Wallis. 

If you would like more information on use of the genetic material or to donate contact RBTA Managing Director, Anne Sim at rarebreedstrust@gmail.com