Zimbabwe and Indonesia in ties to boost livestock production

Source: The Herald – Breaking news. Raymond Jaravaza-Bulawayo Bureau ZIMBABWE and Indonesia have sealed a partnership to boost livestock production, with 1 000 semen straws harvested from five top quality Indonesian breeds being infused into the local genetics pool through Artificial Insemination (AI). Based on the estimated 65 percent conception rate, 1000 semen straws would give the country 650 to 700 new genetics in the local breeding pool and that number translates to an improvement in the cattle industry, experts say. This is a huge milestone for Zimbabwe and Southern Africa coming shortly after the commissioning of a livestock Gene Bank for the region housed at the Matopos Research Institute on the outskirts of Bulawayo. Hopes are high that local livestock farmers would benefit immensely from the improved breed quality and in turn significantly grow the national herd with higher impact along the beef to leather value chain. The Asian imported breed semen straws are being ...