The government has launched an ambitious $800 000 programme to transform agriculture through the revival of indigenous Blackbelly sheep farming, with plans to protect the breed’s unique genetic heritage while creating sustainable livelihoods for farmers, the government’s sheep farming expert has disclosed.
The project is set to improve genetics, offer training to farmers, and boost sheep production through strategic breeding and feeding practices, said Dr Leroy McClean, consultant to the Ministry of Agriculture for the expansion project.
Dr McClean said this is not a one-off venture but a long-term programme that will unfold over several years.
“We budget annually based on projected needs and market demand. The primary goal is to ramp up production by supplying farmers with high-quality, purebred Blackbelly sheep, although these sheep will be sold at competitive prices, not given away,” he explained. “A typical ewe, at around seven months old, will weigh approximately 80 to 100 pounds. This translates to a total cost of $320 to $400 per ewe (based on the $4 per pound price). A typical ram, also around seven months old, will weigh approximately 100 to 120 pounds. This would result in a cost of $500 to $600 per ram (based on the $5 per pound price).
“The sheep sold to farmers are generally around seven months old, an age when they are nearing the end of their weaning period, which typically occurs around 10 weeks. This age ensures the sheep are ready for breeding or farming purposes.”
The initiative also focuses on enhancing the overall sustainability of sheep farming. The sheep will be sold at around seven months old, with farmers required to have the proper housing and expertise to rear the animals. McClean stressed the importance of experience: “If farmers don’t have the necessary skills, we provide a comprehensive training programme to ensure the animals are well cared for.”
As part of the project, a rapid multiplication programme will be implemented at the government’s Greenland research station in St Andrew, where research and development activities will take place. The programme will allow the project to produce genetically superior sheep in large numbers. Farmers will be able to purchase these animals based on their capacity and farm size. For example, a farmer with 400 ewes could purchase up to five rams to service their flock.
But Dr McClean underscored that the project’s success hinges on maintaining genetic diversity: “We don’t want inbreeding, so there’s a structured programme to avoid it,” he said, noting that farmers will be bound by contracts to ensure the proper care and management of the animals.
The project is also integrating a feed production initiative, aimed at producing high-quality pellets for the sheep. This feed will consist of harvested grass and a small amount of cottonseed, carefully controlled to avoid toxicity.
The government aims to secure around 50 acres of land for its feed production programme, which will also integrate root crops such as cassava and sweet potatoes, Dr McClean added.
The goal is not for the government to control the feed supply but to support farmers in producing their own. Through the programme, farmers will be shown how to make their own feed, with access to the necessary equipment and resources. The government will not sell the feed directly but will provide the guidance and materials needed to enable farmers to produce it themselves.
In addition, the government hopes to encourage local farmers to grow grass on unused land, thus contributing to the broader ecosystem of sustainable farming.
“We want to treat grass as a crop,” Dr McClean stated, emphasising the need for farmers to cultivate their own hay.
Despite the initiative’s growing momentum, Dr McClean pointed out that challenges remain in protecting the genetic heritage of the Barbados Blackbelly sheep. While intellectual property protections for sheep cannot be registered, he said, there are plans to protect related products, such as lamb and leather, through trademarks. He revealed that research had already identified the specific genetic markers for Blackbelly sheep, ensuring that the project could demonstrate the authenticity of the breed.
The sheep expert said Barbados was in the process of doing the work to secure a geographical indicator (GI) for its Blackbelly sheep. This GI is crucial for protecting the unique identity and value of the breed, which could significantly boost Barbadian agriculture and the economy. So far, the legal framework has already been done, he said.
sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb
The post $800k boost for sheep farming revival appeared first on Barbados Today.
