Hamilton Genetics’ Dr Brian Sharrock working with post grad vets in Thailand.

VICTORIAN operation Hamilton Genetics has concluded the first successful export of sheep semen and embryos to Egypt.

Egypt has previously imported live sheep from other countries, including Australia, and in 2014, new health certification standards were agreed to by the two countries.

Hamilton Genetics principal Dr Brian Sharrock said the shipment of semen and embryos imported by Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation division, the General Organization for Veterinary Services arrived in Egypt last week.

“What’s interesting about this, is that it is the first time that Egypt has ever imported any outside (sheep) semen and embryos,” he said.

An Australian White Dorper ram at Hamilton Genetics.

The artificial insemination and embryo transfer specialist said the shipment involved Texel genetics from South West Genetics at Mortlake; Dorper genetics from Haldane Genetics at Port Lincoln in South Australia and Australian White Dorper genetics from Hamilton, Victoria.

Dr Sharrock said the Dorper, Texel and Australian White Dorper genetics were genetically modified at Hamilton Genetics with the fertility gene FecB (to increase ovulation rate and litter size) and the GDF8 gene to produce more muscle/meat and less fat.

“The Egyptian Government representatives are very excited with this first import of sheep genetic material and have indicated this will be the first of many imports, especially Dorper genetics,” he said.

He said the Egyptian Government is focussed on increasing sheep meat production. Egypt is working to a national livestock strategy to boost meat and dairy production, including genetic improvement and infrastructure upgrades to improve local sheep and livestock productivity.

Dr Sharrock said Hamilton Genetics sourced the best genetics available and under strict health protocols the semen and embryos were collected and processed by the HG team under the guidance of Dr Rob Pashen, Dr Simon Bell and Dr Vicki Douglas, assisted by Sue-Ann Cunningham & Savanna Sharrock.

The embryos arrived in Egypt on 17 September and should be cleared customs in the next two weeks in time for Dr Sharrock to thaw and transfer them on a farm on the river Nile near Cairo in early October.

Hamilton Genetics has been involved with exporting and improving sheep and goat genetics in about 15 countries around the world.