Farmers were awarded for having the best sheep and goats in various categories when the West Berbice Sheep and Goat Association held its annual exhibition and fair at the Bath Community Centre Ground on Saturday last.
The exhibition, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, saw various breeds of animals on display including the Santa Inez; a Brazilian breed, the Barbados Black Belly, the Texana and the Suffolk; British breeds and the mixed Doper.
The animals were judged by Dr Quacy Joseph, Research Assistant of the
National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) who told this newspaper that there were a lot of “good” animals.
He said though that through visits to the farms he found that the farmers needed to improve on the management systems and the feeding of the animals and that they lacked proper pastures.
Joseph also said that government has been “pushing” for the improvement of livestock in West Berbice and after subsequent visits to some of the farms he was impressed with the progress made. He said too that the animals seemed to be in “good health and up to standard.”
Among those copping prizes were Culbert John of Hopetown for the best breeding ram, Javed Ishmael of Britannia for the best replacement ram and Sanjay Ramlochan for the best replacement ewe as well as Gregory Bowman.
Trophies and cash prizes as well as vouchers with animal products were presented to them.
John who won the prize for the best breeding ram told this newspaper that he bought the animal; the Barbados Black Belly ram from NARI and it has so far produced six offspring, crossed with the local Black Belly.
Siddhartha Rai of Number Six Village who displayed the Suffolk said he imported six of the animals from Miami five years ago. He said several cross breeds were produced and while rearing the animals in the Abary
Creek he lost a lot to the floods. The West Berbice Sheep and Goat Association was founded in November, 2007 with a total membership of 10 farmers and has now grown to 57 financially registered members. The purpose of the association, according to the secretary, Rambajan Ramlagan is to promote sheep and goat production and marketing.