Enhancing Dairy Production Through Sterilization of Unproductive Bulls in Lhuentse

May 6th, 2024

The Livestock sector has launched a scrub bull castration initiative commencing on April 11th and concluding on April 27th, 2024 with fund support from CARLEP-IFAD project amounting to Nu.0.31M. Spanning two weeks, the primary objective was to optimize the utilization of breeding bulls and AI services in dairy potential areas. Over the course of the program, a significant milestone was reached as 383 scrub bulls, aged between 6 months to 3 years and older, were successfully castrated benefitting 340 households in Eight Gewogs of Lhuentse. According to a local resident of Menji, unchecked breeding of scrub bulls could result in the proliferation of undesirable cattle breeds, overpopulation, and resource competition. This not only strains available resources but also compromises herd genetics. Uncastrated scrub bulls, especially as they mature, may exhibit aggressive and territorial behaviors, posing risks to farm workers and other livestock. Castration offers farmer a better control over their breeding programs. Wangchuk, the Dairy group chair in Meanbi, emphasized the importance of employing modern dairy breed intensification technologies like AI and sex-sorted semen. These technologies enable farmers to acquire the most desirable breeds, enhancing genetic diversity and livestock quality. The Livestock sector foresees long-term benefits, including the development of improved dairy breeds, a more stable herd hierarchy, reduced animal stress and injuries, and the establishment of a climate-smart dairy hub in the eastern region.

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