Jamaica looks to rebuild livestock sector

Efforts to increase the herd size of the Jamaica Black cattle breed is reaping success, marking a significant stride in fortifying Jamaica's livestock sector, says Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green.

This, he said, has been achieved through strategic interventions, including the implementation of artificial insemination techniques at key research institutions such as Bodles in St Catherine and Montpelier in St James.

Green said the Jamaica Black and other unique cattle breeds developed by renowned Jamaican scientist, Dr T P Lecky, have been under threat, which prompted swift action by the ministry to increase the herd size.

The minister was speaking at the 22nd staging of the Minard Livestock Show and Beef Festival at Minard Estate in Brown's Town, St Ann, last Thursday.

Green advised that "we have been working with Bodles, Minard and the Cattle Breeders Association, firstly targeting our Jamaica Black line because that was the line that was our greatest threat."

He expressed satisfaction with the progress made thus far and stressed the significance and importance of preserving this line, pointing out that its loss would be detrimental to the cattle sector.

"We've been working with our Montpelier Research Station, using artificial insemination to build back the herd size of our Jamaica Black line; and I must say we are pleased with the progress of that. We are pleased to see that the Jamaica Black is coming back," he said.