In 1980/81 the North of Scotland College of Agriculture and the Rowett Research Institute carried out collaborative trials on artificial insemination of ewes. The ewes were double inseminated at 48 and 60 hours after pessary withdrawal, using diluted, fresh semen chilled to 15°C. The average conception rate at synchronised oestrus was 70%.

Considerable interest was shown by farmers in the North East of Scotland resulting in on-farm trials. These were restricted to a 50 mile radius of Aberdeen in order to minimise time between collection and insemination and ensure viability of semen. However one trial entailed flying semen to the Orkney Island of Hoy and covered 250 ewes over two days of which 66% lambed to the synchronised oestrus.