VI invests in “quality” breeding stock!
Earlier this month, the Department purchased four heifers, 16 rabbits and eight goats from various farms on St. Croix for breeding and plans to add some Virgin Islands White sheep to the group later this year.
In an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online today March 16, 2012 at the Agriculture Department at Paraquita Bay, Chief Agricultural Officer Bevin Braithwaite explained that it was after a careful analysis of the Veterinary and Livestock division that it was realized that they needed to infuse some new genes into the cattle, goat and sheep herding.
As for the rabbits, he explained, they are “a fairly new initiative” but there has been a strong demand for its meat thus the initiative for breeding.
“We are encouraging persons to do rabbit farming and market the rabbit meat. It was also realized by the marketing division that there was a strong need for rabbit meat out there hence we start the rabbit farming here at Paraquita Bay so we can pass on these rabbits to farmers so they can develop their farms.”
When asked why use St. Croix for breeding animals, Braithwaite said they have a very strong agricultural background, very good bloodline and pedigree, and reputable farms which continue to import and infuse new genes from reliable sources.
Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Michael Montrose, also added that St. Croix also have the University of the Virgin Islands which does the requisite research on animal genetics, hence the decision to use their livestock.
He disclosed that the Livestock Division of the Agriculture Department serves as the stock farm that supplies local farmers with their breeding stock.
Explaining the reason behind the type of heifers chosen, the Senepol, Chief Agricultural Officer Braithwaite said the breed is very established on St. Croix for approximately 100 years and is tolerant to the VI’s climatic conditions.
“Their meat ratio is very good, they are docile, easy to handle and not known to be aggressive,” Braithwaite stated.
As for boer goats, which are originally from Africa, he said they are known for their meat and some research was done and the Department is also doing their own to see how a cross breed will work with the local goats and possibly the Nubian.
Braithwaite further stated that later in the year, some sheep should be added to the breeding stock, which will be the Virgin Islands White.
Meanwhile, Assistant Veterinary Officer Orville Clarke said that the current goat population at the department is 17 and the demand for them from farmers has been very high.
“Farmers were requesting breeding stock and we were not able to supply the need ... so we recognize that we needed more females so we can increase the number of goatlings to supply the farmers.”
As for cattle, Clarke said they have about 18 and the demand for cattle though not as high, farmers wanted the Senepol based on their characteristics. The Department has about 60 sheep, but the Assistant Veterinary Officer noted that over the years because of cross- breeding, the orginal Virgin Islands White had been diluted.
“The Virgin Islands White has some very great qualities, in terms of the number of lambs; the sheep meat is very much in demand now which farmers can’t seem to supply.”
The department is hopeful that with the new breeding programme, it will now set the pace for quality meat and eventually help to reduce the amount of imported meat into the Territory.
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