Calving of the first batch of artificially inseminated cows at University of Education Winneba

The University of Education, Winneba, (UEW), Ghana,   in June 2015 embarked on Artificial Insemination of local cattle under the EDULINK II project. The objective was to improve milk yield of local cattle. Holstein-Friesen semen was used to inseminate local cows at UEW and EDULINK II project districts in the university’s catchment areas.

The first batch of artificially inseminated cows calved at dual-purpose cattle unit of UEW at Mampong-Ashanti Campus. The two cows, N’dama and West African Shorthorn (WASH), inseminated with the Friesian semen produced calves of 20 kg each at birth. The normal birth weight of these taurine breeds ranges from 14.4 to 17.8 kg, therefore this is an indication of improvement in birth weight using superior bull through artificial insemination.   

Calves produced from artificial insemination
More calves are expected around June 2016 from UEW and EDULINK II project areas. General performance of these crossbred (on-farm and on-station) are being closely monitored for subsequent recommendation. Research is being carried out by a PhD student and undergraduate students on the productive, health and reproductive performance of the cows and calves.