Livestock genetics: ‘Productivity low due to poor insemination’

FAISALABAD:

Poor utilisation of artificial insemination has restricted livestock productivity, resulting in low meat and milk production per animal, said University of Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Iqrar Khan on Thursday.

He was addressing a training workshop titled Application of Diagnostics Ultrasound in Animal Reproduction arranged by the Department of Theriogenology. He said artificial insemination played a vital role in improvement of livestock breeding.

He said Pakistan was among the top milk producers in the world but per animal production had declined. He said farmers should be encouraged to use modern breeding practices.

Society of Animal Reproduction Pakistan (SARP) Patron-in-Chief Manzoor Khan said per animal milk production in the country was 1,500 litres per annum compared to nearly 8,000 litres in other countries. He said artificial insemination was failing due to improper selection of bulls. Faculty of Veterinary Sciences Dean Laeeq Lodhi said the department was working on developing livestock breeding techniques.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2014.