Dairy Committee Report

The year 2007 was a year of challenges for the Dairy Industry with
high input costs for feed, fertilizer, labour and medication. The
frequent price increases for inputs, particularly corn and soya which
are used to manufacture animal feed, are also being used to  produce ethanol for which there is a growing demand. This had negative effects on the industry as farmers were unable to purchase inputs in adequate quantities to resuscitate their pastures and to feed their animals.

Farmers continued to sustain losses from praedial larceny which led
to a significant decrease in cattle population. During the year the
JLA Dairy Committee continued to highlight the need to strengthen
the Praedial Larceny Act as it relates to juridical and the policing aspect. This act remains a deterrent to farmers and discouragement for new entrants to the sector.

The Jamaica Livestock Association Limited continues to emphasize the need for the provision of an efficient Artificial Insemination Programme, by Government, to assist in the recovery process.

At year end the Dairy Development Board Act was still being
deliberated and is yet to be passed in Parliament. It is hoped that
this process will come to an end soon to enable the Dairy Board to
effectively carry out its mandate through policy intervention.

Milk production in 2007 was 14.0 million litres, a 3.4% reduction, when compared to 14.5 million litres in 2006.