Bleu du Maine U.S. Registry Press Release

LEBANON, Ind. — September 29, 2026 — The RSG Foundation has announced the establishment of the Bleu du Maine U.S. Registry, a new national breed registry created to support the introduction, preservation, documentation and responsible expansion of Bleu du Maine sheep genetics in the United States.

The registry is being launched as part of the RSG Foundation’s Breed Expansion and Preservation Initiative, designed to help expand access to unique livestock genetics while providing emerging and limited-population breeds in the United States with the organizational infrastructure, education and breeder networks needed for long-term development.

The new Bleu du Maine U.S. Registry website is now live at bleudumaineus.org. The online registry system will soon allow U.S. breeders to become registry members and complete animal registrations and ownership transfers electronically.

“The goal of the RSG Foundation is to provide an initial home where breeds like the Bleu du Maine can become established and develop a strong foundation in the United States,” said Doug Edge, Founding Director of the RSG Foundation. “Rather than requiring a small group of early breeders to immediately create and fund an entire breed organization, the Foundation can provide the infrastructure needed to begin documenting pedigrees, preserving genetics and developing breeder participation. As the breed and membership grow, our goal is for the registry to eventually transition into its own independent nonprofit breed organization.”

Introducing Bleu du Maine Genetics to U.S. Producers

The Bleu du Maine originated in France and has developed an established breeder community in the United Kingdom. The breed is recognized for its distinctive blue-gray head, prolificacy, maternal characteristics, milk production, ease of lambing, growth and desirable conformation. These characteristics make Bleu du Maine genetics suitable for both purebred breeding programs and crossbreeding applications.

RSG has imported frozen Bleu du Maine embryos of United Kingdom origin as part of an effort to establish the breed in the United States. These imported embryos represent elite U.K. genetics selected from proven donor ewes and sires with strong performance records. The embryos were processed to international export standards and have been carefully stored and managed through RSG’s genetic storage and reproductive management program.

Key attributes associated with Bleu du Maine genetics include:

• Muscle and Conformation – Strong body conformation with desirable loin and hindquarter development.
• Growth and Performance – Genetics with the potential to contribute efficient lamb growth and market performance.
• Maternal Ability – Bleu du Maine females are recognized for prolificacy, milk production and maternal characteristics.
• Ease of Lambing – The breed is known for fine bone and characteristics associated with ease of lambing.
• Crossbreeding Versatility – Genetics can be incorporated into purebred programs or used in commercial crossbreeding systems to complement existing U.S. sheep genetics.

Bleu du Maine on Display at The Big E

The RSG Farms team is exhibiting Bleu du Maine sheep this week in the AOB (All Other Breeds) division at The Big E, providing producers and sheep enthusiasts an opportunity to see the breed as it begins establishing a presence in the United States.

The exhibition represents another important step in introducing Bleu du Maine sheep to U.S. breeders, building awareness of the breed and showcasing genetic resources now available domestically.

DNA-Verified Pedigree Development

DNA testing will be an important component of the Bleu du Maine U.S. Registry’s approach to pedigree integrity and genetic stewardship. Neogen will provide DNA testing services supporting the registry’s verification program.

Registry requirements, DNA protocols, membership information, registration fees and breeder resources will be made available as the online registry system opens to breeders.

The registry will provide a central location for maintaining U.S. Bleu du Maine pedigree information, documenting imported genetics, recording subsequent generations and supporting the responsible expansion of the breed.

Expanding and Preserving Livestock Breeds in the United States

The establishment of the Bleu du Maine U.S. Registry builds upon the RSG Foundation’s broader Breed Expansion and Preservation Initiative, which supports the introduction, preservation and responsible development of livestock breeds and genetic resources in the United States.

The Foundation has already played an active role in supporting the growth of the Australian White sheep breed in the United States, helping increase awareness of the breed and access to Australian genetics. As part of that effort, the Foundation operates CAWG.us, an educational and community resource designed to connect like-minded Australian White breeders, provide breed and genetic information, and help U.S. producers understand opportunities for directly importing genetics from Tattykeel in Australia.

The Bleu du Maine U.S. Registry represents another approach within the initiative. For breeds with a limited U.S. population and without an established domestic registry infrastructure, the RSG Foundation can provide an organizational home during the breed’s early stages of development.

Through this model, the Foundation can help establish pedigree records, registration systems, DNA protocols, breeder education, genetic stewardship and a community of breeders committed to the long-term development and preservation of the breed.

The Foundation’s role is intended to help breeds develop the foundation necessary for long-term success rather than permanently control their breed organizations. As participation in the Bleu du Maine U.S. Registry grows and a sustainable base of breeders, leadership and financial support develops, the long-term goal is to transition the registry into an independent nonprofit breed organization governed by its membership.

Through initiatives involving breeds such as the Australian White and Bleu du Maine, the RSG Foundation aims to help expand the genetic diversity available to U.S. livestock producers while creating the infrastructure, education and breeder networks necessary to preserve those genetic resources for future generations.

About the RSG Foundation

The RSG Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting livestock education, youth engagement, genetic preservation and initiatives that strengthen the future of animal agriculture. Foundation programs include youth livestock ownership opportunities, genetic-resource programs, educational initiatives and breed preservation and development efforts.

For more information about the Bleu du Maine U.S. Registry, visit bleudumaineus.org.

Media Contact:

Jordyn Wickard

RSG Foundation

Lebanon, Indiana