Agricultural scientists are being urged to build on the legacy of renowned scientist, Dr Thomas P. Lecky, as a strategy to further advance agriculture and strengthen the breeding population for cattle and ruminants in Jamaica.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jr, has said this will ultimately help to achieve food security and create a more resilient livestock sector.

“The distinguished work of Dr Lecky puts Jamaica on the map in terms of just improving the genetics and… the breeding of our cattle…It is important for us to recognise the need as we branch out into this innovative technology or continue it to build on the legacy of Dr Lecky…” he said.

Charles Jr was speaking at the Minard Artificial Insemination Demonstration and Calves and Sire parade, held at Minard Estate Farm in Brown’s Town, St Ann, on Wednesday (April 26).

The event was hosted by the Agro-Investment Corporation in observance of Farmers Month.

Charles Jr, State Minister in the Ministry, Franklin Witter, and other officials witnessed the artificial insemination of a cow from the Jamaican Brahman breed at the livestock farm. The process was executed by a livestock support team from Nutramix.

The Minister described the artificial insemination programme at Minard Farm as “nothing short of phenomenal”.

He said the cattle-breeding technology boasts several advantages, including the production of genetic diversity and a healthier and more productive cattle stock.

“It (artificial insemination) will allow for us to eliminate the diseases that are attended from natural breeding, and it will allow for us to have more productivity. From one bull, you can have much more offspring and so the use of this innovative adaptable technology is something which we welcome in the sector,” Charles indicated.

For his part, Acting CEO of Agro-invest, Owen Scarlett, gave the assurance that the entity will continue to play a significant role in developing the agricultural sector by leveraging partnerships to provide the local cattle industry with premium breeding stocks, to ensure that Jamaica is drastically able to reduce reliance on import.   

The artificial insemination programme was reintroduced at Minard Estates in November 2021, following a partnership between Agro-Invest and the USAID Farmer-to-Farmer initiative, to provide capacity-building for the team at the farm.

Scientist, Dr Karl Wellington, through the Cattle Breeders Society of Jamaica, donated Jamaica Red Poll semen for the initiative.

Since 2022, the Jamaica Dairy Development Board, through the National Livestock Genetic Improvement and Breeding Technology Programme, has been facilitating the insemination of three cattle breeds on the property – the Jamaican Red Poll, Jamaica Black and the Jamaica Brahman.

This is being done to introduce the new sire lines for the cattle breeds. Four new Jamaica Black sire lines, namely Elation, Cruise, Blueprint, and Citation, have been introduced under the programme.

As of March 31, 2023, Minard Farm had a herd count of 100 Jamaica Red Poll, 136 Jamaica Black and 130 Jamaica Brahman.