The Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Mohamed Sadiki, presented, on Saturday as part of the 15th International Agricultural Show in Morocco (SIAM 2023), prizes to the best breeders per breed who participated in dedicated competitions.
Organized jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests and the Interprofessional Federations of the dairy and red meat sectors as well as the national association of sheep and goats, these competitions (30) saw the participation of 178 breeders aiming to select the best animals exhibited in the breeding division, according to species and breeds.
The various competitions saw the participation of 73 dairy cattle breeders, 30 beef cattle breeders, 46 sheep breeders and 25 goat breeders and 4 camel breeders.
The conduct of these competitions was managed by mixed technical commissions made up of national and international experts specializing in animal husbandry.
For Sadiki, the prize-giving ceremony for breeders who win competitions for the selection of the best animals exhibited in the breeding division, according to species and breeds, is a motivation for breeders and recognition of their efforts.
The breeding of different breeds of cattle, sheep and goats is part of the “Green Generation” strategy, noted the Minister, recalling that 19 program contracts spread over ten years have been signed between the State and the profession, aimed at ensuring the sustainability of food sovereignty, through the organization, qualification and modernization of production and breeding chains.
These program contracts, he noted, also aim to support and subsidize breeders, in terms of production and feeding costs for cattle and others, as well as regular veterinary and health monitoring of livestock. .
The number of heads exhibited in the breeding center reached approximately 600 heads including 140 heads of dairy cattle, 90 heads of beef cattle, 200 heads of sheep, 130 heads of goats and 8 heads of camels.
SIAM star, a 1,800 kg bull
Note that the undisputed star of the Show is a bull of no less than 1,800 kg. Its exhibitor, El Mostafa El Khaouli, a big name in breeding, thus offers the public an imposing animal from every angle. Aged 30 months, this third generation bull is the result of years of selection and targeted crossbreeding, to achieve perfection.
It presents, according to its owner, a remarkable yield in terms of daily weight gain, with an average of 2 to 2.5 kg/d.