Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Genetic companies partner to share Canadian swine with South Africa

    Donaldson International Inc., a swine genetic company, and Alliance Genetics South Africa have partnered to share Canadian swine genetics with South Africa.
    "Alliance Genetics South Africa came to Canada for our genetics because of our independent third party testing program through the Canadian Center for Swine Improvement, providing unbiased data and our high health status," says Jim Donaldson of Donaldson International. "We will also be assisting AGSA [Alliance Genetics South Africa] to market to their customers, comparing genetic selection programs, adapting test protocols for measuring intramuscular fat and cooperate with the University of Guelph in boar taint research."
    On a recent trip to South Africa, Donaldson gave seminars to Alliance Genetics South Africa customers and advisors on Canadian swine genetics. Chris Crump of Ontario Swine Improvement discussed the technologies in measuring intra-muscular fat in pigs and Scott Robinson of Alliance Genetics Canada educated the South Africans on animal health, specifically how to eliminate mycoplasma in herds. The Alliance Genetics South Africa will build a new artificial insemination unit which will have artificial insemination quality genetics both from Alliance Genetics Canada and Alliance Genetics South Africa.
    Partnership details are currently being finalized. A shipment of Canadian genetics in the form of frozen semen was delivered on April 10, 2013 to South Africa, with a second shipment to follow. Next year, Donaldson International will be sending live boars and/or a nucleus herd of purebred Canadian swine genetics to support the South African herds.

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