Genetics Industry to be Given Development Grant
CANADA – Last month the federal government pledged over CAN$1million to help promote the Canadian livestock genetics industry.Targeted at the Canadian Livestock Genetics Association (CLGA), the scheme hopes to build the global reputation of dairy and small-ruminant livestock genetics.
By branching into live cattle, semen and embryo markets the association plans to promote its genetic evaluation and dairy cattle improvement programmes.
The CLGA has said this will be achieved through trade missions, developing new markets, delivering seminars and participating in trade advocacy meetings.
China, India, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East and Africa have been targeted as future trading areas.
“Live animals may have potential in one market while semen and/or embryos might be the focus in others,” said Rick McRonald, executive director of the association.
“The buyers’ needs vary tremendously…we determine what the buyer needs and then try to exceed his expectations with the genetics and whatever is required for those genetics to perform to their potential. What we hope they get out of it is a more profitable business,” added Mr McRonald.
In 2012, the Canadian dairy genetics industry was valued at $110 million and exported to over 100 countries. Canadian Livestock Genetics Association members work in mature dairy markets, such as the U.S. and European Union, as well as developing markets such as India, Vietnam, and China.
Canadian developers are aware that Canada is hampered in several markets due to a lack of technical access to Sheep and Goat genetics due to domestic industries being small, said Mr McRonald.
The CGLA aims to provide a complete ‘Canadian package’ that can be marketed abroad.
TheCattleSite News Desk