In a move that is hoped in time will serve as a major strike against the country's billion dollar food import bill, almost 300 animals were flown into the country recently by the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI).
Veterinarian specialist Dr. Keith Cox who heads BAMSI's livestock division said while a mix of sheep and goats were brought in, the goats in particular will be used to facilitate the development of a national breeding program that over the long-term looks to improve the quality of the country's livestock. The addition of the new animals he said supports the Institute's push to become the multiplication center of The Bahamas, enabling it to provide the best suitable breeds for the region.
Along with the expansion of its livestock herd, BAMSI is also expected to increase its animal holdings with the introduction of a swine unit and a poultry division as early as 2017.The Institute has already begun sharing its animals with the Bahamian community, the Hurricane Joaquin Relief project received a number of animals.
Bringing BAMSI's livestock count to 615, the new animals were flown in from a quarantine center in Columbus, Ohio where they were housed for some 90 days. While under quarantine the animals were tested for a number of diseases including tuberculosis, leptospirosis, brucellosis and scrapie. The animals -- 52 Dopler sheep and the rest goats, were originally brought in from four states -- Texas, Missouri, Ohio and Kentucky.
Before the shipment took place, Dr. Cox visited the quarantine site at the end of July to inspect the animals and also to see the feed and mill sites. Along with the animals, BAMSI brought in sufficient feed to help the new imports make a smooth digestive transition before being introduced to locally grown fare.
"We had feed brought in from Ohio to help with their stabilization and acclimation process in The Bahamas. They will eventually be fed the locally grown forage and fodder -- the same as the other animals," he said.
BAMSI's breeding program, which will be launched through its Livestock Associated Farmers division, is expected to start next year May with offspring emerging around the fall. Bahamian farmers should be able to receive the new breed by February 2018.
"In order for farmers to get animals they have to join BAMSI's Livestock Associated Farmers Programme (LAFP) which is currently being organized. The program will teach farmers how to properly manage their livestock operation," said Dr. Cox.
The breed of goats that were brought in included the Savanna, the Kiko and the Boer. The Kiko is the smallest of the breeds and similar to the Bahama native. This segment of animals will eventually make their way to farmers in the southern Bahamas. The size of the breed makes it well adapted to the more rocky, hilly terrain found in that region. The Boer, which is a highly specialized breed, is larger than the average size goat, can be difficult to handle, and requires more attention and maintenance. "This particular breed of animal will require a more observant farmer to see them thrive," he said."
Flying the animals into the country was an intense operation that involved the approval, partnership or support of more than a handful of government departments and agencies -- Civil Aviation, Customs, Department of Immigration, Department of Agriculture, Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD), Airport Authority and Nassau Flight Services, along with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services. Beyond the massive coordination of the agencies a 747 Jet that specializes in animal transportation was contracted to bring the cargo to the country.
The second leg of the journey, flying the animals into Andros, also required strategic manoeuvring.
"We contracted another air carrier to fulfil the Nassau-Andros leg. We used two DC3s out of Miami to facilitate five flights. BAMSI employees Adrian Barr and Glenroy Barr came from Andros to support the movement of the animals. We needed to do some deconstruction and they did that and assisted with the movement of animals between crates," said Dr Cox.
In the months leading up to the relocation exercise, the 10-member livestock team was extremely busy preparing for the new animals and undergoing several training exercises that focused on quarantine conditions, quarantine maintenance, quarantine preparation and reasons to break quarantine. Among the changes made, a new housing structure was built for the animals following special modifications made to the existing design to improve the efficiency of the flooring and roof.
Touching on the future of livestock in the country, and BAMSI's role in developing the area, Dr. Cox said the Institute would shortly be creating a swine production unit where they will reproduce several types of animals: fatteners -- which will be sold at the pre-fattening stage to farmers, who will in turn grow the animals to market stage. The unit will also reproduce breeding sows, which are females of superior genetic quality. The sows will go to farmers who want to start a breeding program.
BAMSI is also looking to include poultry in its expanded farm initiative and will focus on layer birds as well as producing broilers.
"The poultry unit will be just to supply meat and eggs to the school and will also serve as a demonstration process for the students. [The poultry unit] will operate as any other division at BAMSI, but all product will go into the school -- with the excess being distributed to the local community," he said.
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