Tropicultura (Jan 1997)
Preliminary Results on Artificial Insemination of Cattle in Suriname. Case Study : Commewijne District
Abstract
In 1990 and with the help of the European Development Fund, a new and completely equipped Al-station was set up in an attempt to improve the genetic basis of the dairy herd in Suriname. Countering the dramatic decrease in local milkproduction being the main consideration. The author reviews the technical results of three years of Al in the eastern district of Commewijne. The Al-service which was directed from the capital in 1992 and 1993, was decentralised towards the regional veterinary service early 1994. The effects of this decentralisation are also discussed. Technical results realised during the first three years, of Al in the Commewijne district are in general disappointing. Only a small number of dairy farmers makes use of Al, while conception rates are low. The results clearly indicate that heat detection is a major problem, leading to long calving intervals. The kind (breed) of semen used does not influence conception rates. On the other hand, the technical skills of the inseminators involved do influence conception rates. So does the ethnie origin of the farmers involved, although this parameter is closely linked to the scale of the farms and the management level. At first sight, it would seem that decentralisation had a positive effect on technical results. Due to an increase in the number of inseminations performed, the number of Al-calves born increased substantially. Technical results however were inferior to those prior to decentralisation.
