Bles Dairies forms part of the so-called Impact Cluster, Uganda, where six Dutch dairy companies undertake joint activities to raise the level of milk production in the country. At the same time, they try to expand their own market. Financial support from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) helps the cluster with this project. In February 2023, our colleague Anne Terpstra is in Uganda for this project where he is giving several theoretical and practical courses.
Cattle judging & AI
During the first session, he focused with the participants on examining the outline of the cow, with as goal to bring the next generation of calves to a higher level. Furthermore, all aspects of Artificial Insemination were discussed, and the participants even had time to enter the cows rectally to locate the cervix. Most of the participants are in their last year of their studies at Ankole Western University in Kabwohe-Sheema.
Theory & practice
Overall, the training was very instructive for the group. It clearly showed a difference between theory and practice. For example, you cannot just see if a cow is pregnant, but you really need to feel it yourself. When you only look at the cow, a lot of expected pregnant cows turn out to be empty.
