Vitebsk region plans to purchase and transplant embryos of elite cattle breeds

December 23, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The Vitebsk region, based on the experience of global breeding, plans to start purchasing and transplanting embryos of elite cattle breeds. These and other measures are provided for by the regional program for pedigree breeding in animal husbandry for 2011-2015. It was approved today at an extraordinary session of the Vitebsk Regional Council of Deputies, BELTA correspondent reports. The main goal of the program is to further increase the genetic potential of all types of farm animals, including cattle, pigs, horses, and sheep, by using the best genetic resources of the region, the republic, and global genotypes. In particular, for dairy cattle breeding, by 2015, it is planned to increase the genetic potential to an average of 9 thousand kg of milk with a fat content of 3.6-3.9% and protein of 3.2-3.3%. To achieve this, the program provides for the annual import of at least 30 pedigree bulls, 100 embryos, and 300 heifers and young cows of the Holstein breed from countries with a high level of animal husbandry. In pig breeding, the main task is to meet the population's demand for high-quality pork and increase exports. In 2015, pork production volumes should reach 111.6 thousand tons, including 100 thousand tons of competitive products. It is expected that thanks to systematic pedigree work, by the end of the next five-year period, the average daily gain will be 800-900 g, feed costs per 1 kg of gain will not exceed 3 kg, the meat content in the carcass will be 65%, and the backfat thickness will be 14-15 mm. To implement the pedigree breeding program, Br36.5 billion needs to be allocated. Its implementation, based on a strong feed base, the introduction of modern technologies, and the effective organization of the breeding process, will allow for a 47% increase in gross animal husbandry production over five years and achieve a profitability of 10% by the end of 2015. -0-