In an attempt to develop the Texel sheep breed locally, the first artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transplant of Texel sheep will be done tomorrow and Friday under a government of Guyana programme funded by the United Kingdom. A Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said these measurers are being implemented through the British High Commission in Guyana. The programme started last year. The AI activity is expected to be undertaken tomorrow at the Guyana School of Agriculture and the embryo transplant will be done the following day at the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI). A public ceremony to officially launch the programme is planned for Friday. This is the first time that embryo transplant is being done in Guyana with the objective of breeding for commercial purposes.
GINA said the Texel sheep is well-known in Europe and is regarded as a high quality meat producer in Africa and South America. The Texel is known as a breed that transmits its qualities to its offspring when used for cross-breeding and embryo transplant allows for 100 per cent development as against the use of AI.
A team from the UK including personnel from the Texel Sheep Society conducted an assessment last October to determine the possibility of importing the new breed of sheep. Subsequently in November, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud announced that the initiative was being further pursued and that the Texel sheep embryos would be implanted in the Black Belly sheep being bred at NARI.
Another component of the project includes training local personnel who will be exposed to advanced techniques and technology. Other areas of services will be explored through cooperation between the Scotland Agricultural Centre and NARI.
