LAHORE :The Punjab Livestock and Dairy Department and USAID’s Punjab Enabling Environment Project (PEEP) Thursday launched ‘livestock herd book’ initiative to preserve and promote local cattle breeds. The first of its kind the initiative will raise and regulate breeding standards that will in turn result in yield improvements in Punjab’s livestock sector. Among those who attended the ceremony were USAID’s Provincial Director, Lea Swanson, Director General, Extension of Livestock and Dairy Development, Dr Ghulam Muhammad Gill, Vice Chancellor, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Dr Talat Naseer Pasha, Chief of Party, USAID PEEP, Muhammad Junaid, as well as farmers and representatives of different livestock associations. “I would like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of the Punjab Livestock and Dairy Department to improve sector performance by engaging the private sector in policy and regulatory reforms that will raise standards, yields, and ultimately livestock sector income. I also commend the efforts of Punjab’s livestock breeders associations for promoting and preserving their local breeds,” said USAID’s Provincial Director, Lea Swanson. With assistance from USAID PEEP, Sahiwal Cattle Breeders’ Society has developed the herd book, registering 60 herds of local Sahiwal cattle from three districts of central Punjab and documenting the characteristics and performance of 300 milking cattle that constitute 60 herds. These include buffalo, goat, sheep and cattle breeders’ societies from different districts of Punjab.
