The Dutch gene bank collection for cattle breeds was set up in 1993 and is managed by the Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands (CGN) of Wageningen University & Research. The collection consists of genetic material (semen) of rare Dutch cattle breeds, as well as a representative sample of the breeding programs of Holstein Friesian (HF) and Meuse-Rhine-Yssel (MRY) of the last decennia. Researchers of Wageningen University & Research showed that the stored material of HF and MRY is valuable for conservation of genetic diversity and potentially for future genetic improvement if substantial changes in breeding goal occur.