GLDA ups artificial insemination capacity

The Guyana Livestock and Development Authority (GLDA) says it has its own imported breeding stock of cattle, swine and small ruminants to produce semen for its artificial insemination (AI) programme.

In a special report, Jamila Bisram, Livestock Extension Officer at the GLDA’s genetic laboratory noted that they are now in a position to meet farmers demand for AI services.

“At the genetic improvement laboratory, originally, we would have imported semen, bull semen as well as boar semen. We have now imported our breeding animals, bulls, boars, rams.”

Locally, artificial insemination initially catered for cattle but has now been extended to small ruminants and swine.

“Over the years these services would have been provided to swine producers, more so those of the Swine Producers Association, as well as a few small ruminant farmers, which prove little success. However, with the acquisition of a laparoscopic set we will be able to enhance our success rate in artificial insemination in small ruminant,” Ms. Bisram said.  

Further, she noted that Guyana’s rate for cattle insemination is at 61 per cent, which is in keeping with international standards.

The report highlighted that swine producers across the country who benefited from the swine breeding support offered by the GLDA through its AI programme have reported an almost doubling of their stock in short order.

“Now that the GLDA has acquired the equipment necessary to realise successful Artificial Insemination in small ruminants, farmers in this sector can look forward to a ramped up programme aimed at rapidly improving the genetic of the overall stock of small ruminants in Guyana,” it stated.

The GLDA intends to enhance the current artificial insemination rate for cattle, small ruminants and swine to 70 per cent as done in other parts of the world. The GLDA has a limited amount of bulls, boars and rams for sale to those famers who have not met the artificial insemination requirements.