LOCAL feed company Nutramix and Ohio, USA-based Select Sires Inc last week collaborated on a three-day artificial insemination (AI) training session for local and regional cattle industry workers at the Windalco Sports Club in Kirkvine, Manchester.

AI refers to the introduction of a bull’s semen into a cow’s reproductive tract without natural copulation between the animals.

Leading the experiential training sessions were Nutramix Senior Manager of Livestock Support Dr Gabrielle Young and Select Sires Senior US Technical Services Manager Richard Ellerbrook. The facilitators guided the participants through content on the anatomy and the physiology of cattle, various AI techniques, heat detection and timing of insemination, and semen handling and (insemination) gun loading.

Participants also got the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by performing the AI procedures themselves.

“This seminar demonstrates our readiness to provide the Caribbean region access to high-quality feed, genetics, and our technical knowledge and expertise,” Nutramix veterinarian Dr Craig shared, commenting on the objectives of the workshops.

Over the years Nutramix and Select Sires have been partners, with the latter supplying genetics to the former on its yearly missions to Jamaica. Both companies have committed to continually training the Nutramix team and local farmers in the proper use of supplies feed, genetic material, and also offer technical assistance to various countries across the Caribbean.

“We don’t want to just train people and leave them; we’re trying to build sustainable industries,” Dr Craig explained. “We’re trying to get that knowledge across the length and breadth of Jamaica and the Caribbean. The only way we can build the industry is by having people out there who are well trained and can provide technical services,” he continued.

Upon completion of the three-day programme trainees received certification as Artificial Insemination Technician in Cattle from Select Sires. One of the participants, Stanley Oshaugnessy, a cattle commodity supervisor in St Lucia’s Ministry of Agriculture, applauded the seminar for its practical approach.

“We’re trying to revitalise the cattle industry in St Lucia and get some trained personnel to do artificial insemination, because it’s something that is demanded by the cattle farmers on the island,” he explained.

Here in Jamaica, Nutramix, through Newport Mills — a division of Caribbean Broilers Group — has been in support of import substitution and facilitating the conditions necessary to reduce importation of ruminants and their by-products to the country. Some $86 million is spent on the importation of beef, goat and milk products each year.