— marks start of government’s 1,000-head national herd-expansion programme

THE first shipment of 300 pregnant heifers has arrived in Guyana under the government’s national herd-expansion programme, a major initiative aimed at increasing the country’s cattle population and boosting beef and dairy production.
In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry of Agriculture said the animals were imported from Brazil as part of a programme to procure 1,000 pregnant heifers to strengthen the national breeding herd and improve livestock genetics.
The ministry said the cattle successfully completed all veterinary health inspections, testing and quarantine requirements before export and meet Guyana’s animal health import standards.
“The first consignment is currently being transported to the Ministry of Agriculture’s Breeding and Research Centre at Ebini, Berbice River, where the animals will become part of the national breeding programme designed to improve the country’s genetic stock and expand cattle production,” the ministry stated.
The contract was awarded to Brazilian company Coopera following a competitive tender process that attracted four bids—one local and three international. The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board approved the award at a cost of G$245,000 per pregnant heifer.
The ministry said the investment will expand local breeding capacity, reduce reliance on imported breeding stock and support Guyana’s food-security agenda.
The remaining 700 heifers are expected to arrive in scheduled shipments until the full complement of 1,000 animals has been delivered.