Mission Statement

To enhance the contribution of the Livestock sector to the economic growth and development of Jamaica’s agriculture by facilitating the exploitation of cost- effective animal production systems through the development and application of appropriate technologies.

Areas of Focus

Dairy Research Programme

Objectives

• To understand the dairy animal and improve her productive capacity in milk production through genetic and nutritional improvement
• To breed replacement sires for dissemination through sire service schemes
• To develop management systems for dairy calves, and replacement stock

Beef Research Programme

Objectives

• To enhance the beef production capability and reproductive efficiency of local cattle breeds through genetic and nutritional improvement
• To investigate the value of alternate feeding systems for growth evaluations
• To make available replacement animals for dissemination to the farming community

Animal Nutrition, Forage and Pasture Research

Objectives

• Introduction and evaluation of improved grasses, legumes and shrubs
• Development of management systems for pasture swards
• Nutritive evaluation of feeds and forage species
• Production and dissemination of forage species to the farming community

Sheep and Goat Improvement and Production Research

Objectives

• Evaluation of meat producing ability of Native and exotic breeds
• To genetically improve litter size, birth weight, growth rate of indigenous sheep and goats through breeding and selection
• The evaluation of forage resources through feeding and nutrition technologies for increased productivity
• To package management and husbandry practices for increased productivity in sheep and goats
• Multiplication and dissemination of improved stock to the farming community

Pig Improvement and Production Research

Objectives

• Research into breeding systems, genetic evaluation and selection of selected productive breeds
• Research into nutritional requirements of replacement and breeding pigs
• Evaluation and improvement of reproductive parameters
• Evaluation and improvement of husbandry/production systems
• Multiplication and dissemination of improved stock to the farming community

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