Hi-Pro introduces game-changers to expand goat industry

• February 26 2020
• http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/agriculture/hi-pro-introduces-game-changers-to-expand-goat-industry_187678

The planned introduction by Hi-Pro of select breeds of goats and a total mixed ration to the local market have been hailed by both the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) and the Small Ruminant Association of Jamaica (SRAJ) as timely and necessary for the growth of the goat industry. These breeds include the Saanens, Boer and Anglo Nubian, which are new genetic lines of exotic local breeds.

“This intervention by Hi-Pro will be a game-changer,” said Trevor Bernard, president of the SRAJ, while Lenworth Fulton, president of the JAS, described the move by Hi-Pro as a “win-win situation” .

Hi-Pro veterinarian, Dr O'Shane McHugh noted that the introduction of the new genetic lines within local herds will be done through a reproduction technology programme, resulting in higher milk yield and meat-to-bone ratio for the local market.

“This insemination programme is aimed at producing more — to provide milk for human consumption as well as value added by-products such as cheese and skin care items; also, money for goat meat.

“Insemination is vital for new bloodlines to be added to the existing herds. This is a part of Hi-Pro's five-year plan for the small ruminant industry, which will also be looking at embryo transfer to take advantage of the swift multiplication of superior traits within the selected milk and meat breeds,” Dr McHugh noted.

At the recent annual general meeting of the Small Ruminant Association of Jamaica at Bodles Research Station in St Catherine, Khalil Brown, animal nutritionist at Hi-Pro, formally introduced the 'Total Mixed Ration' machine to the goat and sheep farmers in attendance.

“This machine allows farmers to add rations such as sugar cane, molasses, grass and concentrate to a basic formula to create a complete, single economical feed mix of required nourishment for the herds,” Brown revealed.