Embryo transplant underway for developing Texel sheep locally 
further efforts to develop livestock sector

Georgetown, GINA, April 11, 2008.

Government’s continued focus on improving breeds of livestock to aid the industry’s growth and the diversification thrust is heightening with the transplant of Texel sheep embryos into the local Black Belly sheep. The embryos were imported from the United Kingdom (UK).
The transplant exercise started today at the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) Breeding Station at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, as part of a project by Government and the UK through the British High Commission in Guyana.

Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud addresses the gathering at the launch of the sheep-breeding programme at NARI farm, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara

The initiative seeks to commercially develop the Texel sheep, which is well-known in Europe and in the continents of Africa and South America as a high quality meat producer. Artificial insemination (AI), which started yesterday at the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) is also being done to introduce the new breed.
At the official launching of the project at Mon Repos today, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud highlighted the advantages of the Texel breed to help farmers utilise the opportunities that exists in the sheep industry.
Reference was made to the use of the embryo transplant technology which is being done on a large scale for the first time in Guyana. This enables 100 percent development of the breed against the use of AI and allows for better adaptation to tropical climate since the animals are developed and bred locally.
It was pointed out that the initiative is part of efforts to expand the livestock industry and although many of the initiatives are led by Government, there is need for the private sector’s involvement.
British High Commissioner to Guyana Fraser Wheeler and his wife, Sarah Wheeler who have been integrally involved in the project, highlighted the use of the embryo transplant technology as an exciting development for Guyana.

Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, British Commissioner to Guyana Fraser Wheeler and Director of NARI Dr. Oudho Homenauth witness the embryo transplant demonstration

Ms Wheeler further noted that the programme, which involves the support of the Texel Sheep Society in the UK, was initiated based on the interest in improved breeding stock expressed by farmers during a assessment by UK officials last October.
Director of NARI Dr. Oudho Homenauth stated that the Caribbean currently imports approximately six million kilogrammes of mutton, value at US$12M annually and expressed optimism that Guyana could become a major player in CARICOM with regards to mutton production in the medium-term.
Approximately 120 Black Belly sheep are being used for the embryo transplant while an additional 200 are being inseminated. The embryo transplant exercise is projected to yield more than 50 percent success and it is expected that the lambs will be born within the next 145 days. The exercise involves technicians from INNOVIS, NARI and Ministry of Agriculture.
Previous activities to develop the country’s sheep breeding stock include the successful development of breeds such as the Virgin Island White, Corentyne White and Barbados Black Belly. In 2007, another breed, Dorper, was acquired from the United States and has so far shown good adaptability.

The Black Belly sheep being used for the embryo transplant exercise

Various interventions have been made over the years to boost the country’s livestock and cattle industrie through improved breeds. Successes have been made with the importation and development of Boer goats and Zebo cows while more recent initiatives have been undertaken to develop the Brangus cows.
Additionally, the national pig-breeding programme was recently launched as a joint initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to develop the swine industry as apart of the diversification thrust.
These efforts are aimed at ensuring availability of improved breeds for farmers to be able to increase production and support food security in Guyana and the region.
            Apart from the importation of improved breeding stock and embryos, focus continues to be placed on continuation of AI, establishment of animal breeding farms and more pastures to cater for advancement of the livestock industry.

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