Masisi pats himself for live breed cattle
Larona Makhaiza | Monday May 29, 2023 06:00
On Wednesday this week, the country came to a standstill with the dignitaries convening at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA) to receive 162 live cattle from the USA.
This initiative by the government led to people taking their frustrations to Facebook as to why the government spent P25 million on live cattle from the USA. But, that did not seem to bother President Masisi as he sees this as one of his achievements that even goes in line with the newly revised Artificial Insemination (AI) programme.
“As you may be aware, last year in November I launched the revised AI programme in which I promised that the government will support all endeavours and initiatives that will restore dignity in the livestock sector,” Masisi revealed. Subsequently, Masisi added that the theme of the revised programme was, ‘Advanced reproductive technologies: A definitive way towards improved and increased national herd’. Additionally, he said his government is doing well to fulfil the theme.
“Today we are here to confirm our promise as government invested P25 million in procuring these live breeding cattle from the world's renowned breeders,” said Masisi with a sign of elation. Furthermore, he kept on giving himself a pat on the back by alluding to the fact that the initiative also goes in line with the ‘Reset Agenda’. “This initiative is also in line with the government Reset Agenda to revive the livestock sub sector and ensure value chain development within the sector,” he added.
“I am pleased to receive a total of 162 breeding cattle that will be used in the production of germplasm in the form of embryos and semen for both local and export market,” he revealed. Masisi elucidated that these cattle would also contribute towards the national herd and its generic merit as he says Botswana’s national herd has been declining drastically in the past years. In addition, Masisi said the initiative will contribute immensely to the Ramatlabama National Artificial Insemination as Ramatlabama is the new home to the 162 live breeding cattle.
“The objective of this initiative complements the envisaged upgrading of the Ramatlabama National Artificial Insemination Laboratory into a centre of excellence and an export facility as it is expected that these breeding cattle are national assets that will be used for production of semen and embryos of high quality for both domestic and global markets,” he added. Additionally, Masisi elucidated that the government will also import relevant skills to ensure that the envisaged objectives of the upgrading of the Ramatlabama Laboratory are achieved.
He said the programme will be supported with the use of best technologies and equipment for improved efficiency. In the 162 live breeding cattle that were purchased there are 106 white Brahman bulls, 21 white Brahman heifers, four red Brahman bulls, two black Angus, two Red Angus bulls, five Charolais, five Brangus, 10 Beefmaster bulls and seven Anta Gertrudis bulls.
On top of the 162 live cattle that were bought, Masisi revealed they have also purchased 2,000 Simmental beef semen straws and will be expecting delivery of other straws which are earmarked to be 3,000 semen straws of sexed beef. He added that they have also bought 2,401 dairy sexed straws of semen for breeds such as Brown Swiss, Red Holstein and Holstein.