High-Quality Breeding Stock Of Jamaica Red Poll Will Be Maintained – Charles Jr.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., is expressing confidence that the country will continue to maintain its high-quality breeding stock of the Jamaica Red Poll cattle.

The Minister was speaking at the annual Red Poll cattle appraisal, held at Bengal Farms in St. Ann, on Thursday, February 24.

Speaking with JIS News, Mr. Charles Jr. said it was his first opportunity as Minister to engage in a cattle appraisal process, noting that he is pleased with the observations made.

“It is a very informative day, as we are here with some stalwarts in the cattle industry… . They continue to evaluate the breeding stock to make sure that we maintain the breeding standard in Jamaica, and it is something which the Ministry of Agriculture supports, and see to it that stakeholders maintain the best quality, as a Red Poll is one of the best quality bulls for us in Jamaica,” he said.

The Minister noted that with the resurgence of interest in cattle-rearing, the Ministry will be injecting significant resources to ensure that the industry continues to rebound.

“There’s a resurgence in terms of the interest in the cattle industry. Many persons are trying to get hold of heifers and that itself is a primary reflection of interest in something that we know is going to be a growing industry. The Ministry is going to be giving the necessary support and resources to make sure that the industry builds back itself with resilience to make its contribution to agriculture,” he pointed out.

For his part, Chairman of the Cattle Breeders Society of Jamaica and Managing Director of Bengal Farms Limited, Martin Hopwood, said he is pleased with the quality of the Red Poll breeding stock that was on display.

“This is an exercise that has been going on in Jamaica for many years with the Red Poll, the Jamaica Brahman, Jamaica Black Poll and Jamaica Hope, and this is one of the reasons why our tropical cattle here have such an excellent name worldwide. What we need to do is to commit to what we are doing and keep the quality up,” he said.

Mr. Hopwood expressed gratitude to Minister Charles Jr. for participating in the exercise and his commitment to improving the industry.

The appraisal exercise comprised representatives from the Cattle Breeders Society of Jamaica, International Poultry Breeders Jamaica Limited and farmers from various parishes.

This exercise is to ensure that the Red Poll stock meets the requirement of the breeding standards in order to maintain the breed’s pedigree status, stipulated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Cattle from several breeders from across the island, comprising bulls, heifers, and calves, were on display.