For Buck Owners

---

Once we have confirmation of your host location, we will email you an online form to be completed. The following information will be on the form:

• The number of bucks you will be bringing
• The buck's full registered name, registration number, and tattoo number
• The number of straws to be collected, 30 straw minimum. For more than 30, please increase in increments of 10.
• Once we know the number of bucks you will receive an invoice for $100 per buck.
• You may want to bring a doe in heat; Blue Mountain is NOT RESPONSIBLE for providing a doe in heat and/or making a buck jump
• DNA testing is the responsibility of the buck owner. Bucks do not have to have DNA on file with ADGA before collection but progeny from AI bucks collected after June 1 2016 must have buck DNA on file before they can be registered.

Please be on time!  The morning collection brief will start promptly at 0745, and collection will begin at 0800.  

Bucks with high straw requests will go first to accommodate the need for multiple jumps. 

If a buck cannot provide fresh semen at 65% motility or more, according to the iSperm analyzer, a $50 analysis fee will be charged and you will be given your printed straws to use at a later collection. If an owner elects to go forward with fresh semen at less than 65% motility, they assume full responsibility for the end product, regardless of post thaw motility.

If semen is not at least 30% motility post thaw, a $100 no-freeze charge applies. 

If semen is greater than 30% motility post thaw, the per straw charge applies with a minimum charge equivalent to 30 straws, even if the buck produces less than 30 straws. 

• If your buck is known to be problematic (old, young. previous history of collection or breeding problems) please advise Blue Mountain prior to attempting to collect, so that other options can be discussed.
• Processed semen will be available for pick up  the following morning.  
• Pick up arrangements and payment must be made before leaving host farm on collection day.
• All tanks containing processed semen  must be left with Blue Mountain on collection day and be clearly labeled with the tank owner's name and the name of the bucks to be placed in the tank as well as the preferred canister for each buck. (While every attempt to place the semen in the desired canister, it is not a guarantee due to space allocations.) Reasonable precaution will be given for the security of the tanks and their contents but Blue Mountain assumes no liability for them.
• The owner should check the tank prior to departing the collection site to ensure the proper numbers of canes are in the tank. Once Blue Mountain departs, the owner accepts that all semen is accounted for.   Any claims of missing semen must be made prior to our departure.
• It is the OWNER'S responsibility to pick up or ship the semen. If semen is not picked up or shipped (at owner expense) within two weeks after collection date the semen becomes property of Blue Mountain.

• You will need REGISTRATION PAPERS and legible tattoos the day of collection.
• If you have electronic ID you must provide scanner.

                                                                            Right to Refuse Service

Blue Mountain and its processors have the right to refuse service to anyone or a specific animal or herd at their discretion. Blue Mountain reserves the right to terminate marketing a buck at any time.  All sales are final--no refunds or replacements.

Preparation of your buck for collection is essential; not only so that he can produce the best quality semen possible, but to help the collection day run smoothly for everyone. As such, we suggest the following:

Year Round

• A buck's overall health is very important for semen quality. Buck's with quality feed, hay, water, and minerals will be more likely to produce strong semen.  Bucks must have adequate care and access to these essentials to ensure they are in prime shape for breeding season.

10-12 Weeks Before Collection

• Ensure bucks have been given Bo-Se to keep levels adequate for breeding season.  *Owners have also seen increased results by offering DuraFerm to their bucks*

4 Weeks Before Collection

• Begin to practice breeding bucks on a lead (if breeding at this time) to ensure they are comfortable with a stationary doe and an audience.
• Owners may want to begin a vitamin-ADE-B12 (without selenium) regimen to boost semen quality

2 Weeks Before Collection

• Breed bucks on a lead to ensure they are comfortable with a stationary doe and an audience.
• Beginning Vitamin-ADE-B12 (without selenium) supplementation is strongly recommended at this stage
• Trim bucks' hooves

5-7 Days Before Collection

• Perform a final "clean-out," i.e. breed the bucks heavily and then separate them from the does.  If possible, house them well away from the does until collection.
• Continue Vitamin-ADE-B12 (without selenium) supplementation

3 Days Before Collection

• Ensure bucks are as separated as possible from the does (and each other) and resting as much as possible.
• Trim/Shave bucks' undersides, including front legs and brisket back to behind the sheath--this reduces the risk of contaminating samples taken during collection
• Clean and shave ears to ensure easily readable tattoos
• Continue Vitamin-ADE-B12 (without selenium) supplementation

1 Day Before Collection

• Separate the bucks from each other as much as possible and try to transport them separately as well (if possible)
• Give last Vitamin-ADE-B12 (without selenium) supplement at this time
• Gently wash the underside of the buck to remove excess dirt/urine

Day of Collection

• Try to keep the bucks separated to the maximum amount possible
• Give the bucks ample access to feed and water in transit as well as at the collection site
• Ensure the bucks have sturdy collars as well as leads to allow for control during collection
• Keep towels/rags around to keep the buck's underside free from debris during collection

                                                                        ****IMPORTANT*****

ISSUES THAT WILL NEGATIVELY AFFECT THE SEMEN QUALITY/FREEZING PROCESS:

• Administering antibiotics or mineral injections within one month prior of collection
• Use of BoSe or Muse Selenium 6 weeks prior to collection
• Recent fevers, sickness, etc--please let us know before collection