Mexican Market is in need of Quality Canadian Sheep Genetics.
Submitted by Steve Jones, General Manager – Canadian Sheep Exporters Group (CAN-SEG)
On December 7th 2004, three members of the newly formed Canadian Sheep Exporters Group (CAN-SEG) took a seven-day genetic needs assessment tour to Mexico. Steve Jones, Brian Atkinson & Keith Todd were representatives of the CAN-SEG group under the guidance of the Canadian Livestock Genetics Association. Their mission was to visit sheep producers in Mexico, quantify the interest in the various breeds and in particular the specifics traits within those chosen breeds that their industry requires.
The Ontario group reached Mexico to be joined by Gord Weaver (Weavercroft International) who has exported sheep to Mexico, and two representatives from the Alberta-based small ruminant export group - Ovigene. In Mexico City, officials from the Canadian Embassy updated the group on the present situation regarding the border. Canadian Embassy officials are working tirelessly with the Mexican government in an effort to reach an agreement with the United States that would permit Mexico to import Canadian breeding stock without jeopardizing Mexico’s current status.
We started our trip by touring commercial flocks that were as large as 7000 ewes. These flocks are in an expansion program designed to increase quality market lamb production to fill the increasing needs of the Mexican sheep market. Similar to Canada, Mexico presently fills less than 50% of their domestic needs. Each of the commercial producers we visited showed a great deal of interest in Canadian sheep genetics. In the past they have imported from the US, Australia and Canada with a small amount from South Africa and South America, but the general consensus is that good quality Canadian genetics are working best in their management systems.
Following our tours, we set up a display at the Queretaro National Show, a large livestock show that attracts approximately one million people over the course of two weeks. This was a very successful event, with Mexican producers constantly visiting our display eager to discuss their genetic requirements and how soon the border will open so we can do business again.
We ended our trip with a day touring and studying the sheep facility at the University of Mexico City. Mexico City has a population of 22 million people that eat lamb on a daily basis. The sheep faculty is firmly committed to further developing the efficiency of the sheep industry across Mexico. The University had imported top sheep genetics from Canada in the past with great success and was interested in importing new bloodlines. Officials at the University were very interested in our invitation to facilitate an exchange program between Canada and Mexico. A small group of Vet students (or similar interested people) would travel to Canada to learn about our management and nutritional techniques. In return a Canadian mission could learn from the extensive knowledge and skills in the field of reproduction technology at the University of Mexico City.
This trip secured our belief in the ability of the Canadian sheep industry to offer World class genetics that have been and will continue to be in high demand. Canada needs to embrace the use of artificial insemination and embryo transfer if we are to secure markets in the world that may never have protocols for trade of live animals (e.g. South America, China).
There will be enormous demand for only the BEST of Canada’s sheep genetics. The Mexican producers were steadfast in their assessment of QUALITY FIRST to improve the efficiency of their industry. The message we need to send to our purebred sheep breeders in Ontario and across Canada is to keep selecting and improving your chosen breed’s quality through culling and the purchase of higher quality replacements. When the borders open (AND THEY WILL) we need to be ready.