To encourage farmers to rear hybrid cattle and motivate those already rearing such cattle, a daylong cattle show was organised yesterday at Gongthung village of Trashigang’s Yangnyer Gewog. The event is organised at Gongthung as the dairy farmers’ group in the village produces the highest quantity of milk in the district. The group is also regarded as a fast-progressive group with more than 300 high-breed cattle.
It is a gathering of cattle and people of the Druk Chithun Nyamley Tshogdey, the dairy farmers’ group of Gongthung, each waiting for their turn to enter the rally ring. The group was started in 2015 and it has 65 registered members with around 300 hybrid cattle. The members rear Holstein Friesian and Jersey Cow.
With the programme officially opened, the owners take turns to take their cows in the ring for assessment. The cattle were assessed in three categories: milking cow, dry cow and heifer, and calf.
A panel of judges evaluates the cattle based on their body structure, hoof size, nipple size and colour among other criteria.
Cash prizes ranging from Nu 3,000 to 8,000 were awarded to the winners.
“I do not have hybrid cows like the ones seen in today’s event. I do have a few cows but now I am thinking about rearing good quality cattle like the ones seen here today,” said Dawa Tashi, a resident of Yangnyer Gewog.
“Today I got first, second and third positions in three different categories. I am very happy. I have worked so hard rearing cattle for many years, and today I am overcome with emotions for winning the prizes. I have been rearing cattle for a long time now and I now am encouraged to rear more cattle,” said Kinley, also a resident of Yangnyer Gewog.
Cattle feeds were also awarded as consolation prizes to the farmers. The district livestock officer said the event was organised to encourage farmers to shift toward rearing hybrid cattle rather than local breeds to increase productivity.
Around 30 per cent of farmers in Yangnyer Gewog rear local cattle breeds.
The programme was organized by the district livestock sector financial support from the Agriculture and Forests Ministry’s Commercial Agriculture and Resilient Livelihoods Enhancement or CARLEP programme.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Kipchu
