WORLD JERSEY CATTLE BUREAU

by Dr Gonzalo Maldonado (Colombia)

Several events held during the month of June of 2006 did not permit my attendance at the Bureau’s meeting held in Switzerland, and apologies for my absence where sent on that occasion.  I did receive, however, from several people, positive comments that is was a successful event and there was participation from Latin-American representatives from Brazil and Argentina, who regularly attend Bureau events.  The documentation received following the meeting has kept me up to date on the different topics discussed.

In preparing this report I requested information on activities in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile to provide a picture as complete as possible on the activities of each of the Jersey National Associations of Latin America.  I did not attempt to collate information from Brazil in anticipation of receiving detailed information during the forthcoming meetings in June 2007.

Argentina:
Mr. Augustín Robredo, President of Argentina Jersey Association, will be presenting his report during the meetings in Brazil; however he also has sent the following information.

In November 2006 the association celebrated its 25th anniversary at an event that included friends of the breed, both national and international.  At this event we were honoured with the presence of our Bureau president Mr. Johannes Van Eeden, John and Thelma Bailey from Uruguay and friends from New Zealand.

The association has been active in the organization of two new shows, located in the milking regions of the country where the Holsteins are very popular.  Regular requests for information are received from other countries that do not yet have an association, for example Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela.

A meeting was held in the Cuban Embassy to discuss the use of the Jersey breed as there have been serious problems with the Holstein breed adapting to the conditions in the country.  They are interested in the Jersey breed because of its tolerance to warm weather. 

We have started using DNA testing to establish parentage in order that our systems are unified with those of more advanced countries.  We have supported experimental programs in diverse zones, where we evaluate different characteristics of the Jersey breed compared to the Holstein.  We consider this one of our most important programs to assist with the spread of the Jersey breed.  Along with this we also encourage crossbreeding programs and actively provide advice with this.

Every year more Jersey semen is imported.  In 2006 the entrance of semen from Denmark and the UK began.  However, there is a shortage of cattle as the breeders are retaining the animals to increase their number, making more difficult to acquire Jerseys.

In marginal zones, interest has been shown for the components of the Jersey milk for the production of artisan cheeses.  Several reports showing the different percentages of solids in the milk for each type of cheese and its yield have been published.

There has been a decrease in the number of dairy herds due to a growing interest in the farming of soy bean and corn.  New taxes and retentions of the government on the export of milk have been established to avoid any resultant increase in prices; that said many people remain in the dairy business, waiting for better prices.

Ecuador:
The president of the Jersey Association from Ecuador Mr. Carlos Fiallos, reported on the visit to Ecuador in 2004 by the president of the WJCB, Mr. Johannes van Eeden, and the promotion of the WJCB youth travel scholarship program.  Unfortunately the requests of several Ecuadorian candidates interested in taking part of the program were not attended to adequately by the Bureau.  Mr. Fiallos communicated his displeasure and personal frustration as this treatment affected the solicitors who wasted considerable time while waiting for a response, which in the end did not come.  This has generated a lack of credibility in the Association’s president and executives. Undoubtedly, this situation also tarnishes the Bureaus good image which is of concern to all of us who work on its behalf.  

With regard to the Jersey breed in Ecuador, Mr. Fiallos reported that there has been modest growth as shown in the following data:

For the year 2007 a percentage increase in registrations is projected as follows: Males 5%, Purebred females 58%, Grade Females advn..  46%, Grade Females id. 20%.

The trend in Ecuador is not different from that of other countries where the deficit of dairy production and better prices have contributed to the growth of activity and stimulated the use of new technologies to improve the production.  The tendency to use genetics of higher quality has increased the interest for the import of semen and embryos.

Colombia:
As for the Jersey breed in Colombia, the results are similar.  This is due to the increasing recognition from the Colombian dairy industry, stimulated by the association, that the milk from Jersey breed is more valuable under the established systems of payment for components of the milk by the processing companies.  There is a growing recognition of the role that Jersey genetics can play in the crossing with other breeds to improve the solids in the milk.

The work of the Association in promoting the breed in the country has been very successful through a range of activities, including; the classification programs, the technical visits, the Jersey Colombia publication and the exhibitions, now held in Bucaramanga, Medellin and Bogotá.  We have today an increased number of associates having 18 new breeders joining in the year, making a total of 113 associates in different regions of the country. 

A good indicator of the growth of the Jersey breed in Colombia is the volume of Jersey semen doses used which, according to official data, saw the import of frozen semen rise to over 55.000 doses in 2006 compared with less than 6,000 doses 10 years ago.  The number of registrations issued during the year 2006 was 626 purebred females, 24 males, 18 foundation and 62 grades; a total of 736.  A more detailed presentation on the Jersey breed in Colombia will be made during the meetings in Brazil. 

Venezuela:
The development of an association in Venezuela has not come about due to the difficult political situation in the country at the moment.

Communication:
It is regrettable that the associations do not make better use of the advances in communication which in today’s globalised world have transcended physical borders allow the communities to interact with ease.  I am sure that this is holding back integration between breeders around the world. At the moment three associations have their telephone communication through www.Skype.comm - Guatemala, Ecuador and Colombia.

As per the President’s request, I presented on October 2005 a list of targets which with great frustration I have to admit that up to the date none has been reached.  I consider of great importance to go through an analysis that allows us to establish the reasons why it has been so difficult to achieve a regional integration and to improve communication, a topic I have considered as a priority.

Respectfully submitted,

Dr Gonzalo Maldonado
Vice President for Latin America                                                               June 2007