Given the global nature of the horse industry and the powerful genetics of the American Western performance horse industry, it is no surprise that mare owners around the world are interested in American Thoroughbred breeds.
Unlike some horse associations that require live breeding, the American Quarter Horse Association and many others allow the registration of foals conceived through artificial insemination. This, and the ability to freeze semen for international shipping, allows owners in other countries or even continents to breed mares to U.S.-based stallions.
In countries in the Northern Hemisphere, such as those in Europe, breeding seasons are similar to those in the United States. However, this is not the case in countries in the Southern Hemisphere, such as Australia or South America.
Even if the seasons do not coincide, U.S.-based stallions can still produce foals at these markets.
Shane Plummer, owner of SDP Buffalo Ranch, has been busy in the Southern Hemisphere markets for years – particularly in Australia, which has a mighty stock horse culture – and says certain countries can offer opportunities for stallion owners looking for another source of income for their stud farms.
In Part 1 of this three-part series from Industry Insider with SDP, Plummer explains when breeding season is in the Southern Hemisphere, which countries currently offer the best markets for U.S.-based stallions, and what opportunities shipping to the Southern Hemisphere can provide for a stallion.
QHN: Which countries in the Southern Hemisphere are markets for U.S.-based stallions? Which countries have historically had the greatest demand for U.S.-based stallions?
plumber: I have exported semen to Australia, Fresh Zealand, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, South Africa and Namibia. Historically, Australia and Brazil have had the greatest demand and most regular distribution.
Only Australia has proven to be a reliable partner due to its registration and business controls. Nothing against Brazil, but the country is not set up in such a way that stallion owners can control their product and the country's registry adheres to very unfair rules.
QHN: Approximately how long is the breeding season in the Southern Hemisphere and in which months are most foals born in the Southern Hemisphere?
plumber: The main breeding season is from September to January and foals are mostly born from August to December. In my experience, most foals are born in September and October.
QHN: How long have you been shipping seeds to Australia or other countries in the Southern Hemisphere? Why did you consider this an significant market?
plumber: Our first breeding season in Australia was 2006. Gosh, I got a bit nostalgic after that question. I have some great memories and a deep love for the people of Australia. I love Australia and the people – they just talk kind of humorous. (Just kidding.)
My true business partner there and the man I trust with my life, Vince Bonello, approached me about importing TR Dual Rey sperm. After a quick review and logistics, we went ahead. Not only did I export sperm there, we set up an Australian company and promoted it heavily through incentives, sponsorships and exposure in the industry there.
Since then, our direct involvement has had a market impact of over $3 million, something I am very proud of. I owe this to the wise decisions my modern friends Vince and Sally Bonello have made over the years in Australia and the ability to do business there in a similar way to what we do here in the US, but adapted to this country.
There is no end in sight for my trip to Australia.
QHN: What trends have you observed in the demand for breeding with US-based stallions during your time supplying to the Southern Hemisphere? Are there any predictions as to whether demand for breeding with US-based stallions will boost or decrease in the next few years?
plumber: I want to make it clear that in my travels to Australia and Brazil I have seen some horses that could compete in the US, so there are excellent horses in both countries. However, the level of competition and the many decades of specialized breeding in the US means that the top genetics are in the US.
At my first NCHA Futurity in Australia, I believe there were two horses in the finals that were sired with frozen semen from US stallions. Two years ago there were 13 out of 20, and five of the seven horses that were not sired with frozen semen were from stallions that were themselves sired with frozen semen from a US stallion.
The playing field has changed dramatically and so has the horsepower. It's thrilling to see. Genetics play a role. So I feel like that trend is going to continue. They're not mutually exclusive by any means, but it's pretty obvious and based on results.
QHN: In what situations is it beneficial for the horse's breeding career to make a stallion available to breeders in countries in the southern hemisphere? Are there any disadvantages that need to be taken into account?
plumber: I like to put it this way: What does your stallion do in the “off season”? Answer: nothing. He stays in a stable. Wouldn't it be nice to have another source of income? You bet!
Of course there has to be demand. Of course the stallion has to be fertile and produce good semen. Of course the stallion owner has to invest money to make all this possible. But there is a mighty and real market for stallions of the right caliber.
I've worked for over a decade figuring it all out, a supply chain, checks and balances, building a customer base and seeing what works. I've learned a lot, good and bad. I paid a lot for my education. Cons? Don't think it's basic – it's not. Don't make commitments with people if you can't deliver. International business isn't basic. You think it is, but it's not. There are government regulations both ways, exchange rates, logistics, language issues, product quality control and more.
If you want to pursue this, make sure you can deliver because if you can't, it will damage your reputation and that of your horse. It's just wrong anyway.
Part 2 of this series will be published on quarterhorsenews.com on Thursday, September 30th.
