Representatives from the goat industry of Columbia visit NRDPFC goat Research facility
On November 16, 2016, the NRDPFC welcomed representatives of the goat industry from Columbia. We met with Dr. Alejandro Camargo, a veterinarian specialist in reproduction and chairman of the Columbian small ruminant value chain round-table and President of the Columbian Sheep and Goat Association (ANCO). Along with Dr. Camargo, we met with Juan Higuera who is a trade and Agribusiness Development Consultant Technology Transfer Specialist. The Columbian representatives were interested in understanding the research conducted at the NRDPFC with goat scrapie genetics and the opportunities available for goat genomics to improve and manage the goat industry in Columbia. We are excited to continue relationships with ANCO and to be involved in collaborations with providing management and improvement for goat genetics in Columbia.
Goat breeders from Jamaica and Mexico visit NRDPFC goat research facility
On November 8, 2016, the NRDPFC welcomed international goat breeders from Jamaica and Mexico to visit our facility where dairy goat genomics research is centered. This study group included executives and members of the Jamaica Small Ruminant Breeders association. The objectives of their mission to Canada was to provide a platform for launching the local goat dairy industry through the importation of genetics, including semen and embryos. The mission also provided an opportunity to further establish working relationships with Mr. Lloyd Wicks (Grass Hill Farms) as well as other related agricultural entities in Canada. The Mexican team also participated in this mission and was interested in goat genomic research taking place in our facility. One of the Mexican participants is a researcher /Professor at the University of Queretaro as well as a veterinary consultant to the CFIA Mexican counterpart. Another Mexican veterinarian is an Artisanal Goat Cheese Producer that has interest in the genetic implications of goat milk composition. We appreciate their visit to our center and look forward to building international relationships focused on Canadian goat genetics research and management with these countries.
