A mission aimed to strengthen relationships and promote future collaboration between Jamaica and Canada in the area of Small Ruminant genetics was organized by IICA Canada in collaboration with IICA Jamaica, Mr. Robert Lang from Rural Routes international, Grasshill Genetics and the Canadian Livestock Genetics Association (CLGA) Small Ruminant members. Participants of the week-long mission comprised the President of Jamaica’s Small ruminant Association, Mr. Kenneth King, Vice President Mr. Devon Sayers and associated member Mr. Terrence Johnson.
Ottawa, ON. The group had the opportunity to visit the Royal Agriculture Winter Fair (RAWF), the world’s largest combined, indoor agricultural and equestrian event, and were duly impressed. Mr. King indicated that attending the agricultural fair “was phenomenal and worthwhile seeing. The fair was well organized and the quality of the animals displayed was impressive ….without a doubt one of the biggest show we have seen in years”. Over 250 goats of various breeds were on display allowing patrons to appreciate the outstanding features of elite animals competing in the dairy and meat goat shows.
The Jamaican delegation had the opportunity to meet and interact with representatives from the Provincial and Federal government with specific expertise in the small ruminant sector. The group also met with Dr. Brad White, professor at Trent University, where the work being conducted on the genomics of dairy goats was shared. The Jamaica representatives expressed a great deal of interest in current research focused on the identification of traits such as heat tolerance and resistance to diseases. The possibility of introducing disease resistance into Jamaican goat flocks via Canadian goat genetics is one of the advantages that appealed to the group.
Among the highlights of the mission were visits to farms with elite herds of Saanen, Nubian and Alpine breeds. Direct discussion between Canadian breeders and the JSRA helped parties to understand the market development needs of each player. According to Mr. Terrence “the animal’s size, their living conditions and production rates observed were phenomenal. When dairy goats are averaging 5 l per day that’s an impressive number”!
President of the Jamaican Association, Mr. King thanked IICA and partners and reiterated the intention to bring genetics from Canada (semen and embryos) from various goat breeds such as Saanen and Nubian. Overall the mission was considered a success by all participants as the network built stand to benefit both the Canadian and Jamaican goat Industry.
