The Livestock Development Unit (LDU) within the Division of Agriculture has embarked on a proactive engagement with farmers who have expressed interest in artificial insemination for their small ruminants. In 2023, a group of 34 farmers collectively opted to import 150 straws of Boer and Nubian goat semen from the United States. This strategic move aims to elevate the genetic potential of local herds and enhance overall productivity within the region.
Since its establishment, the LDU has been rendering technical assistance to farmers, providing insights into the nuances of artificial insemination, and fostering conducive environments for successful conception and pregnancy.
As of April 2024, the initial batch comprising eighteen farmers has initiated the insemination process, with completion anticipated within the next seven weeks. Subsequent sessions will be scheduled based on farmers’ request
The seamless execution of artificial insemination hinges on meticulous animal management pre-, during, and post-procedure. Leading the charge is a dedicated team of AI technicians alongside AHPOs Emanuel Joseph and Kerry Shillingford, complemented by Jose Henry, a technician, and Dr. Nathalia Lugay, with robust backing from the wider Livestock Development Unit. Each animal involved in the process across different farms will be tagged for precise identification, facilitating enhanced data collection among small ruminant farmers.
The transition towards artificial insemination signifies not only technological advancement, but a shift in farmers’ approach to livestock breeding. The LDU aspires to catalyze positive changes in breeding practices and elevate farmers’ overall success rates.
them animals all their lives since history began know their season for them to do their thing, artificial insemination is totally unnecessary. what to make them concern doesn’t make them concern but seriousness like Dominica national debt they saying they concern about about how not affecting climate change. stupssss
Did we run out of Dominican farmers to show? There weren’t any black farmers who actually represent the population? The majority of those farmers are black yet you have a white expat who doesn’t even understand our mother tongue, and didn’t believe in the people who showed up to help as the imagery for this? Not even a collage of the farmers who invested their own money…