Improving artificial breeding of cattle and buffalo in Asia. Guidelines and recommendations. A manual prepared under the framework of an IAEA Technical Cooperation Regional RCA Project on 'Improving Animal Productivity and Reproductive Efficiency', with technical support of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Regional Cooperative Agreement for Asia and the Pacific Region (RCA), with technical support of the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, implemented a Technical Cooperation (TC) project entitled Improving Animal Productivity and Reproductive Efficiency. The dual objectives of this project are (a) strengthening and extending the field applications of Urea Molasses Multinutrient Blocks (UMMB) and other feed supplementation strategies, and (b) monitoring and improving the reproductive management and fertility of smallholder dairy cattle subjected to Artificial Insemination (AI). The radioimmunoassay (RIA) for measurement of progesterone in milk and use of the computer database AIDA (Artificial Insemination Database Application) play important roles in the success of the latter objective. The first meeting to plan project activities was held in January 1999 in Yangon, Myanmar and the second meeting to review progress and develop further work plans was held in February 2000 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The latter meeting concluded that the procedures currently used by different Asian countries for evaluation of breeding bulls should be standardized and unified protocols developed for ensuring quality control of semen during processing, storage and field use. It was recommended that this should be accomplished through a regional workshop of national consultants. A workshop of national consultants from 10 RCA Member States was therefore held in April 2002 in Faisalabad, Pakistan, to consider and discuss the following aspects and arrive at a consensus on the best procedures and practices to be adopted to suit conditions and needs in developing countries of Asia: - Selection, management and health control of AI bulls; - Semen technologies from collection through processing to storage; - Delivery and follow-up of field AI services to farmers The IAEA has also supported a similar project in Africa under the AFRA programme, to monitor and improve AI services. A recent Task Force meeting held under this project to 'Harmonize Procedures for Selection and Management of AI Bulls and Use of Semen Technology in African Countries' resulted in the compilation of a manual of guidelines similar to that envisaged for Asian countries. That manual was therefore used as a basic framework and necessary modifications and additions were done to meet the needs of RCA Member States and, in particular, to include aspects relevant to buffaloes. The main conclusions and recommendations from the RCA workshop were that the major challenges in the Asian region were: - Lack of a sound system for evaluation of breeding bulls; - Improper semen handling; - Inadequate and expensive supply of liquid nitrogen; - Inconsistent heat detection, incorrect timing of AI and poor hygiene; - Inadequate AI recording, follow-up and reporting; - Lack of clear breeding policies for cross-breeding; - Inadequate logistic support to field services; and - Lack of incentive schemes and accountability. It was clear that no universal remedy was possible for the identified problems, but there were common technical and procedural aspects that can be improved and standardized on the most appropriate techniques and procedures for obtaining optimum results under the prevailing conditions in Asia. The draft document prepared during the workshop was edited and the second draft was circulated to all national project coordinators for comments and suggestions for improvement. It was finally discussed at a Project Review and Planning Meeting held in Hangzhou, China in November 2002 and further material was incorporated as required. This manual therefore builds upon the experience gained in compiling a similar manual for use in African countries and is the result of collaboration between the national project coordinators of the RCA project, several experts in AI in the participating Member States, IAEA experts who assisted with the project and the technical officer from the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme. This manual is aimed at all levels of administrative and technical personnel involved in the provision of AI services to cattle and buffalo farmers in Asia, including Ministries of Agriculture/Livestock, Directorates of Livestock and Veterinary Services, AI Centres, Semen Distribution Centres, local authorities responsible for livestock development services, Faculties of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, and Institutions for breeding research and training of AI technicians. It is hoped that the manual will assist livestock personnel in Asia to apply the knowledge that already exists in an efficient, cost effective and sustainable way in different cattle and buffalo farming systems under varying socio-economic environments.