Young Kaheim has big dream

Fifteen-year-old Kaheim McLune has dreams of becoming a major goat farmer on the island.

McLune currently has four goats, but his ultimate goal is to improve infrastructure and increase his herd for reproductive and meat purposes.

The Oberlin High School student said that his journey as a goat farmer started when he was gifted a goat in primary school.

"I know that I am young but I enjoy farming and I try to balance it with my schoolwork. I'm happy that I am able to participate in this training session because I have a long way to go and I want to know how to take care of my animals," he said.

McLune was among the 30 farmers from Stony Hill, St Andrew, who were recently provided with parasite management training by feed brand Nutramix, in collaboration with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Caribbean.

The parasite management training took place at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) headquarters in Kingston on April 27. Speaking at the event, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Franklin Witter, indicated the importance of safety in the small ruminant industry.

"... As we continue to support you, small ruminant farmers, I charge you to also follow the proper procedures and protocols to prevent and control parasites. We are in the business of providing healthy food for consumption, and our approach to internal and external parasite control is crucial to that endeavour," he emphasised.

According to Witter, 80 per cent of the goat meat consumed in Jamaica is imported.

"We want to reverse it so that in the next couple of years, we'll be able to import maybe just 20 per cent while we produce 80 per cent," he added.

Nutramix veterinarian and senior manager of livestock support, Dr Gabrielle Young, led the small ruminants internal and external treatment presentation.

She shared tips on how farmers can identify the different parasites and pests that can affect their herds, determine the right course of action, and ultimately improve nutrition for their animals and parasite resistance.

Each participating farmer also received a tech pack of products worth $30,000 to address their herd's internal and external parasite issues

The tech packs consist of a variety of products, including injectable dewormers, anticoccidial treatments, multivitamins (injectables and water soluble), first-aid kits, thermometers, weight tape, hoof trimming tools, topical sprays for wound treatment and parasites, as well as bags of Nutramix feed for proper herd nutrition.

Young said the farmers who participated in the initiative will benefit from a three-month follow-up from Nutramix veterinarians and livestock specialists.

"We will visit their farms to train them again to see how best we can improve their production. It's not only just providing them with something, it's showing them what to do and showing them how to use the products properly because sometimes they buy these products but they don't use them properly," she said.