Br. vet. J. (1975),
131 ,
385
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN BOTSWANA By
N. G.
BUCK,
L. E.
SEREMA AND
H. G.
STAUGAARD
Department of Animal Health, Gaborone, Botswana SUMMARY
The beef industry of Botswana is one of the most important sectors of the country's economy, on which a large proportion of the population depend for their livelihood. Artificial insemination of beef cattle has only recently been introduced and is still on a very small scale. The organization and management of the service is described, and the results achieved in the breeding season 1972/73. These results indicate that the technique is practical under extensive conditions, and the possibilities of expansion are discussed. INTRODUCTION
Botswana is situated in southern Mrica between the latitudes 18 ° and 26° S. The area of the country is 220,000 square miles. Most of the country is a flat plain with an average height of 3300 ft (1000 m). The rainfall averages 18 in (475 mm) per annum, most of which falls in the summer months between October to February. Between March and September, the winter months, rainfall is rare. The cattle population of Botswana is over 2 million, mostly of the indigenous Tswana breed. Of these cattle 85 per cent are grazed on unfenced communal rangeland, usually centred on isolated boreholes for water supply. Only in the Northwest of the country, in the Okavango swamp and Botletle river complex is permanent surface water available. Under management conditions in Botswana, cattle are frequently maintained at "cattle posts" some distance from the village and arable areas. A "cattle post" consists usually of a borehole for water supply and rudimentary kraals and crushes for handling cattle. The standard of husbandry at these cattle posts is low, and helminthiasis, phosphorus and protein deficiencies, and over-grazing contribute to low productivity of the cattle (Carmichael, 1972). However, due to its favourable disease situation, with particular reference to the control offoot and mouth disease, Botswana has become one of the few African countries with a regular world export market for its beef. As a result, traditional attitudes are changing, with increasing interest in animal production and improved husbandry. Bonadonna (1969) detailed only three African countries in his survey of artificial breeding, only one of which, Ruanda and Urundi (now the two countries of Ruanda and Burundi), could be considered as a developing country. This survey, however, omitted Kenya, which has shown a steady increase in
386
BRITISH VETERINARY JOURNAL,
13 1,
4-
the number of cattle inseminated (Rollinson, 1971). Rollinson (1971) also points out that artificial insemination is frequently introduced for prestige reasons, without full consideration of the contribution to production that the method can provide, or the economic considerations in countries where husbandry methods are poor and communications difficult. Artificial insemination of cattle in Botswana was introduced in 1966, with the object of providing small farmers with access to superior bulls for cross-breeding purposes. There are now nine centres where cattle may be admitted for insemination, with a tenth centre being used for trial purposes (Fig. I). The results obtained in the breeding season 1972/73 are recorded to illustrate the performance which can be achieved under the management adopted.
CORDON FENCES
--
::.::.::.-.. WARANTlNES
,. I' E C
*
--
Fig. I. Artificial insemination scheme, Botswana. Location of A.1. camps: (I) Good Hope, (2) Tsatsu, (3) Nojane, ( I) Ghanzi, (5) Kuke, (6) Makalamabedi, (7) Dibete, (8) Morupule, (9) Ramahosi, (10) Makoba, (B) Bull stud.
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN BOTSWANA ORGANIZATION
The A.I. Service in Botswana is organized and staffed by the Department of Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture. The ten A.I. centres provide a thin network around the country in the cattle-producing areas. These centres are all fenced camps which have an estimated carrying capacity of a total of 5000 cattle, with the exception of Noojane which is sited at an isolated borehole, and here only kraal, crushes and watering facilities are provided. Fencing is necessary to exclude scrub bulls from the adjacent communal grazing areas. Originally frozen semen was purchased from the Republic of South Africa, but semen is now produced at the Bull Stud at Rainathlabama and stored by the French straw method (Cassou, 1950) in liquid nitrogen. The choice of sire breeds for use in the service has been conservative, based on the evidence of experience in Botswana and adjacent countries with similar climatic conditions. Bulls of Africander, Brahman, Simmental and Tuli breeds only are used. Semen is distributed to the centres at the beginning of the breeding season, and periodic deliveries ofliquid nitrogen and semen are made for replenishment. To ensure that superior bulls are selected for A.I., Trail & Fisher (197 I) have advocated that bulls selected on the basis of superior performance-test results be used wherever possible. These have been obtained in the case of the Africander and Simmental bulls, and it has also been possible to progeny test four Tuli bulls, although these were not originally selected on the basis of performance test. MANAGEMENT OF A.I. CENTRES
The normal calving season in Botswana is during the spring (October-December), and during the dry winter females which are not in calf become anoestrous. Cows and heifers for A.I. are selected during September and October during this anoestrous period, and ideally a cow with a calf at foot which can be weaned before entering the A.I. camp is chosen. These cows have probably calved late in the previous summer and gone into anoestrous before being re-mated by bulls. The criticism has been made that these cows are suboptimal breeders, but it is impractical to select cows in late pregnancy to calve in the camps and be subsequently bred there. Cattle are selected by the Livestock Officers and Veterinary Assistants (certificate holders) who have been trained in the technique of pregnancy diagnosis by rectal palpation. The basis for selection is that the cow should be a good Tswana type or crossbred, and of known reproductive ability as evidenced by the presence of a calf at foot. A limited number of maiden heifers are selected, as these frequently remain anoestrous throughout the summer unless very well grown. This selection is made in the communal grazing areas, the owner is allowed the choice of sire breed, and is responsible for driving his cows to the A.I. camp (at times up to 100 miles away), and paying a free ofR2 (£1.3) for each animal. Pregnancy diagnosis by the supervising veterinarian at six weeks after insemination allows the cow to be certified in calf and released to its owner.
BRITISH VETERINARY JOURNAL, 13 1, 4
388
RESULTS
Table I details the entry of cattle to the ten A.I. camps for the season 1972/73 and the results obtained. Animals pregnant on arrival are usually those which were early in calf at the time of selection, and hence not detected by rectal palpation. At the end of each season a number of inseminated cattle are always released without pregnancy diagnosis, these are usually those which have been inseminated in the period immediately before closure of the camps, and 60 per cent of these, as a conservative estimate, are considered to be in calf. The numbers estimated pregnant at each camp (Table I) are thus comprised of animals confirmed in calf by diagnosis, plus 60 per cent of these inseminated but not tested. TABLE I DETAILS OF A.I. RESULTS AT INDIVIDUAL STATIONS
A.I. centre
No. of cattle entered
Tsatsu Good Hope Nojane Ghanzi Kuke Makalamabedi Makoba Morupule Dibete Ramoalusi
621 3IO 305 226 208 509 218 59 1 424 3 23
2 4 8 5 2
3735
40
Total
Mortality
4 8 4 2 I
Pregnant on arrival
Available for insemination
Number inseminated
9
29 13 21
608 302 301 218 204 4 61 214 554 406 300
579 264 177 161 166 4 29 199 5 14 261 28 9
12 7
35 68
3039
6 3 46
No. and % estimated pregnant
55 0 237 160 140 144 38 7 185 454 239 262
(9 0 %) (7 8 %) (53%) (64%) (7 1 %) (84%) (86%) (82%) (59%) (87%)
2758 (77%)
The poor results achieved at Nojane were due to water difficulties at this particular station. Frequent mechanical faults at this borehole necessitated cattle being walked 25 miles to the next borehole for water, with inevitable missed oestrous periods, although conception results in cattle actually inseminated were good. Table II summarizes the results for all camps during the breeding season 197 2/73. DISCUSSION
Artificial insemination has only recently been introduced to Botswana, and the service is still in its infancy. The scheme has proved popular with local tribal cattle holders, and the number of cattle entering the available camps has risen steadily from 1285 in 1967/68 to 3735 in the year recorded here. The common problems of A.I. in developing countries, of poor stockmanship, communal grazing, oestrous detection, and poor communications are exacerbated here by the size of the country, and the low stock carrying capacity of the available rangeland. Some of these difficulties are combated by the "camp"
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN BOTSWANA TABLE II A.!, RESULTS AT ALL STATIONS
1972/73
Cattle introduced on to A.1. centres Pregnant on arrival Died on station Available for insemination Number inseminated Confirmed pregnant by diagnosis Not examined but assumed in calf* Total probably in calf
3735 12 7
40
35 68 30 39 2472 286 275 8
Estimated percentage in calf of those inseminated Estimated percentage in calf of those available for insemination Conceptions to respective inseminations of animals confirmed pregnant by diagnosis: In calf after a first insemination 18 97 (74 % ) In calf after two inseminations 2341 (9 1 % ) In calf after three inseminations 2472 (9 6 '5%) *Based on 60 % being pregnant.
method used, which allows for improved husbandry and efficient oestrous detection while cattle are cared for by trained staff. Maximum utilization of the facilities available at present is limited by the time that the cattle spend within the A.I. camps. The minimum time for oestrous detection, insemination and subsequent pregnancy diagnosis would seem to be 3 months, and frequently with delayed onset of oestrous and repeat services, as long as 6 months. Unfortunately, a second entry of cattle in the same breeding season, from communal grazing areas, is precluded, as a high percentage will already be in calf to natural service. To increase the use of the facilities the only alternative at present is to stock the camps more heavily at the beginning of the season, and to release cattle earlier after insemination, possibly without pregnancy diagnosis. Animal production data in Botswana is only now becoming available, and the national calving percentage is cited as being as low as 42 per cent (Trail, 1974). This is probably due to the poor nutritional state of cows at the end of the long dry winter, and cows with calves at foot being unable to recover sufficient bodyweight to conceive again in the same year. Reproductive diseases such as brucellosis, vibriosis and trichomoniasis are also known to exist, but their significance as limiting factors to reproductive performance is not known at this time. However, the satisfactory conception rates achieved with A.I. have demonstrated that technically the method is feasible and may have a role to play. In the results recorded there is a number of cattle (529) which remain uninseminated. These cattle are usually found to be maiden heifers which remain anoestrous throughout the breeding season and have presumably not attained a target breeding weight, and cows with their first calf at foot. This later category being notoriously difficult to breed where nutritional factors are suboptimal. Further critical examination is being made to try and categorize this group and avoid selection of this group offemales.
390
BRITISH VETERINARY JOURNAL, 131,4
One of the essential requirements of A.I. is that the progeny should have a reasonable chance of survival (Rollinson, 197 I). Fortunately, these conditions are available in Botswana, where there are no endemic diseases limiting the survival of cross-bred calves. The camp system would not be so readily applicable to those countries where calf survival is limited by an endemic disease such as east coast fever, requiring a high standard of management for its control. Trail et at. (197 I) showed that calving rates to A.I. were inferior to natural service under ranching conditions in East Africa. It is unlikely that, in the absence of breeding disease, this can be refuted. There is, however, a strong case for the maintenance of an A.I. service in a country where animal production plays a major role in the economy. A.I. is a prerequisite for the introduction of exotic breeds, and for the recognition and maximum utilization of proven sires. At present the A.I. scheme in Botswana is viewed as a useful method of introducing cross-bred progeny into the national herd, rather than a major method of breeding. In the future a nucleus A.I. service to exploit the development of oestrous synchronization, sexed semen and fertilized ovum transplantation may well be essential to all animal producing countries. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Director of Veterinary Services, Botswana, Dr J. Falconer, O.B.E. is thanked for permission to publish this paper. Recognition is also due to Dr A. S. Jensen, lately of the Department of Animal Health whose work in establishing the A.I. service in Botswana largely attributed to its present success. REFERENCES
BONADONNA, T. (1969). Br. vet. J. 125.521. CARMICHAEL, I. H . (1972 ). Trop. Anim. Hlth. Prod. 4. 176. CASSOU, R. (1950). Cr. Seanc. Soc. Biol., 144,486. ROLLINSON, D. H. L. (1971 ). A.B.A. 39,412. TRAIL, ]. C. M. & FISHER, I. L . (197 I ). The operation of beif cattle breeding research under semi arid extensive conditions in Botswana. Ministry of Agricul ture, Botswana. TRAIL,]. C. M ., SACKER, G. D. & FISHER, I. L. (1971). Anim. Prod. 13, 127. TRAIL, ]. C. M. (1974). Personal Communication. (Accepted for publication 16 July 1974)
L'inseIIIination artificielle au Botswana (Buck et al.) ReSUDle. L'industrie du boeuf au Botswana est l'un des secteurs les plus importants de l'economie du pays et sur lequel d epend une proportion elevee de la population. L'insemination artificielle du betail n'a e te introduite que recemment et n e se pratique encore qu'a tres petite echelle. On decrit l'organisation et la direction du service, ainsi que les resultats obtenus pendant la monte 1972/7 3. Les resultats indiquent que la technique est practicable dans des conditions d'elevage extensif, et on examine les possibilites de diffusion.
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN BOTSWANA
39 1
Kiinstliche Befruchtung in Botsuana (Buck et al.) Zusanunenfassung. Die Rinderzucht in Botsuana gehort zu den fUr die Wirtschaft des Landes wichtigsten Faktoren, und ein grosser Teil d er Bevolkerung verdient damit seinen L ebensunterhalt. Ktinstliche Befruchtung der Rinder ist erst vor kurzem eingefUhrt worden, und nocht nicht sehr verbreitet. Organisation und Leitung wird beschrieben sowie die in der Saison 1972/73 erzielten Resultate. Sie zeigen, dass die Methode unter vielseitigen Bedingungen praktikabel ist und die Moglichkeiten weiterer Verbreitung werden erortert. Inselllinaci6n artificial en Botswana (Buck et al.) Reswnen. La industria de la carne de vacuno de Botswana es uno de los sectores mas importantes de la economia del pais, de la cual d epende una gran proporci6n d e sus habitantes. La inseminaci6n artificial del ganado de engorde se ha introducido recientemente y se efectua aun en escala muy reducida. Se describe la organizaci6n y manejo de este servicio, asi como los tesultandos conseguidos durante la estaci6n de cria de 1972/73. Estos resultados indican que la ecnica es practica bajo condiciones extensas, y se discuten las posibilidades de expansi6n.
131 ,
385
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN BOTSWANA By
N. G.
BUCK,
L. E.
SEREMA AND
H. G.
STAUGAARD
Department of Animal Health, Gaborone, Botswana SUMMARY
The beef industry of Botswana is one of the most important sectors of the country's economy, on which a large proportion of the population depend for their livelihood. Artificial insemination of beef cattle has only recently been introduced and is still on a very small scale. The organization and management of the service is described, and the results achieved in the breeding season 1972/73. These results indicate that the technique is practical under extensive conditions, and the possibilities of expansion are discussed. INTRODUCTION
Botswana is situated in southern Mrica between the latitudes 18 ° and 26° S. The area of the country is 220,000 square miles. Most of the country is a flat plain with an average height of 3300 ft (1000 m). The rainfall averages 18 in (475 mm) per annum, most of which falls in the summer months between October to February. Between March and September, the winter months, rainfall is rare. The cattle population of Botswana is over 2 million, mostly of the indigenous Tswana breed. Of these cattle 85 per cent are grazed on unfenced communal rangeland, usually centred on isolated boreholes for water supply. Only in the Northwest of the country, in the Okavango swamp and Botletle river complex is permanent surface water available. Under management conditions in Botswana, cattle are frequently maintained at "cattle posts" some distance from the village and arable areas. A "cattle post" consists usually of a borehole for water supply and rudimentary kraals and crushes for handling cattle. The standard of husbandry at these cattle posts is low, and helminthiasis, phosphorus and protein deficiencies, and over-grazing contribute to low productivity of the cattle (Carmichael, 1972). However, due to its favourable disease situation, with particular reference to the control offoot and mouth disease, Botswana has become one of the few African countries with a regular world export market for its beef. As a result, traditional attitudes are changing, with increasing interest in animal production and improved husbandry. Bonadonna (1969) detailed only three African countries in his survey of artificial breeding, only one of which, Ruanda and Urundi (now the two countries of Ruanda and Burundi), could be considered as a developing country. This survey, however, omitted Kenya, which has shown a steady increase in
386
BRITISH VETERINARY JOURNAL,
13 1,
4-
the number of cattle inseminated (Rollinson, 1971). Rollinson (1971) also points out that artificial insemination is frequently introduced for prestige reasons, without full consideration of the contribution to production that the method can provide, or the economic considerations in countries where husbandry methods are poor and communications difficult. Artificial insemination of cattle in Botswana was introduced in 1966, with the object of providing small farmers with access to superior bulls for cross-breeding purposes. There are now nine centres where cattle may be admitted for insemination, with a tenth centre being used for trial purposes (Fig. I). The results obtained in the breeding season 1972/73 are recorded to illustrate the performance which can be achieved under the management adopted.
CORDON FENCES
--
::.::.::.-.. WARANTlNES
,. I' E C
*
--
Fig. I. Artificial insemination scheme, Botswana. Location of A.1. camps: (I) Good Hope, (2) Tsatsu, (3) Nojane, ( I) Ghanzi, (5) Kuke, (6) Makalamabedi, (7) Dibete, (8) Morupule, (9) Ramahosi, (10) Makoba, (B) Bull stud.
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN BOTSWANA ORGANIZATION
The A.I. Service in Botswana is organized and staffed by the Department of Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture. The ten A.I. centres provide a thin network around the country in the cattle-producing areas. These centres are all fenced camps which have an estimated carrying capacity of a total of 5000 cattle, with the exception of Noojane which is sited at an isolated borehole, and here only kraal, crushes and watering facilities are provided. Fencing is necessary to exclude scrub bulls from the adjacent communal grazing areas. Originally frozen semen was purchased from the Republic of South Africa, but semen is now produced at the Bull Stud at Rainathlabama and stored by the French straw method (Cassou, 1950) in liquid nitrogen. The choice of sire breeds for use in the service has been conservative, based on the evidence of experience in Botswana and adjacent countries with similar climatic conditions. Bulls of Africander, Brahman, Simmental and Tuli breeds only are used. Semen is distributed to the centres at the beginning of the breeding season, and periodic deliveries ofliquid nitrogen and semen are made for replenishment. To ensure that superior bulls are selected for A.I., Trail & Fisher (197 I) have advocated that bulls selected on the basis of superior performance-test results be used wherever possible. These have been obtained in the case of the Africander and Simmental bulls, and it has also been possible to progeny test four Tuli bulls, although these were not originally selected on the basis of performance test. MANAGEMENT OF A.I. CENTRES
The normal calving season in Botswana is during the spring (October-December), and during the dry winter females which are not in calf become anoestrous. Cows and heifers for A.I. are selected during September and October during this anoestrous period, and ideally a cow with a calf at foot which can be weaned before entering the A.I. camp is chosen. These cows have probably calved late in the previous summer and gone into anoestrous before being re-mated by bulls. The criticism has been made that these cows are suboptimal breeders, but it is impractical to select cows in late pregnancy to calve in the camps and be subsequently bred there. Cattle are selected by the Livestock Officers and Veterinary Assistants (certificate holders) who have been trained in the technique of pregnancy diagnosis by rectal palpation. The basis for selection is that the cow should be a good Tswana type or crossbred, and of known reproductive ability as evidenced by the presence of a calf at foot. A limited number of maiden heifers are selected, as these frequently remain anoestrous throughout the summer unless very well grown. This selection is made in the communal grazing areas, the owner is allowed the choice of sire breed, and is responsible for driving his cows to the A.I. camp (at times up to 100 miles away), and paying a free ofR2 (£1.3) for each animal. Pregnancy diagnosis by the supervising veterinarian at six weeks after insemination allows the cow to be certified in calf and released to its owner.
BRITISH VETERINARY JOURNAL, 13 1, 4
388
RESULTS
Table I details the entry of cattle to the ten A.I. camps for the season 1972/73 and the results obtained. Animals pregnant on arrival are usually those which were early in calf at the time of selection, and hence not detected by rectal palpation. At the end of each season a number of inseminated cattle are always released without pregnancy diagnosis, these are usually those which have been inseminated in the period immediately before closure of the camps, and 60 per cent of these, as a conservative estimate, are considered to be in calf. The numbers estimated pregnant at each camp (Table I) are thus comprised of animals confirmed in calf by diagnosis, plus 60 per cent of these inseminated but not tested. TABLE I DETAILS OF A.I. RESULTS AT INDIVIDUAL STATIONS
A.I. centre
No. of cattle entered
Tsatsu Good Hope Nojane Ghanzi Kuke Makalamabedi Makoba Morupule Dibete Ramoalusi
621 3IO 305 226 208 509 218 59 1 424 3 23
2 4 8 5 2
3735
40
Total
Mortality
4 8 4 2 I
Pregnant on arrival
Available for insemination
Number inseminated
9
29 13 21
608 302 301 218 204 4 61 214 554 406 300
579 264 177 161 166 4 29 199 5 14 261 28 9
12 7
35 68
3039
6 3 46
No. and % estimated pregnant
55 0 237 160 140 144 38 7 185 454 239 262
(9 0 %) (7 8 %) (53%) (64%) (7 1 %) (84%) (86%) (82%) (59%) (87%)
2758 (77%)
The poor results achieved at Nojane were due to water difficulties at this particular station. Frequent mechanical faults at this borehole necessitated cattle being walked 25 miles to the next borehole for water, with inevitable missed oestrous periods, although conception results in cattle actually inseminated were good. Table II summarizes the results for all camps during the breeding season 197 2/73. DISCUSSION
Artificial insemination has only recently been introduced to Botswana, and the service is still in its infancy. The scheme has proved popular with local tribal cattle holders, and the number of cattle entering the available camps has risen steadily from 1285 in 1967/68 to 3735 in the year recorded here. The common problems of A.I. in developing countries, of poor stockmanship, communal grazing, oestrous detection, and poor communications are exacerbated here by the size of the country, and the low stock carrying capacity of the available rangeland. Some of these difficulties are combated by the "camp"
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN BOTSWANA TABLE II A.!, RESULTS AT ALL STATIONS
1972/73
Cattle introduced on to A.1. centres Pregnant on arrival Died on station Available for insemination Number inseminated Confirmed pregnant by diagnosis Not examined but assumed in calf* Total probably in calf
3735 12 7
40
35 68 30 39 2472 286 275 8
Estimated percentage in calf of those inseminated Estimated percentage in calf of those available for insemination Conceptions to respective inseminations of animals confirmed pregnant by diagnosis: In calf after a first insemination 18 97 (74 % ) In calf after two inseminations 2341 (9 1 % ) In calf after three inseminations 2472 (9 6 '5%) *Based on 60 % being pregnant.
method used, which allows for improved husbandry and efficient oestrous detection while cattle are cared for by trained staff. Maximum utilization of the facilities available at present is limited by the time that the cattle spend within the A.I. camps. The minimum time for oestrous detection, insemination and subsequent pregnancy diagnosis would seem to be 3 months, and frequently with delayed onset of oestrous and repeat services, as long as 6 months. Unfortunately, a second entry of cattle in the same breeding season, from communal grazing areas, is precluded, as a high percentage will already be in calf to natural service. To increase the use of the facilities the only alternative at present is to stock the camps more heavily at the beginning of the season, and to release cattle earlier after insemination, possibly without pregnancy diagnosis. Animal production data in Botswana is only now becoming available, and the national calving percentage is cited as being as low as 42 per cent (Trail, 1974). This is probably due to the poor nutritional state of cows at the end of the long dry winter, and cows with calves at foot being unable to recover sufficient bodyweight to conceive again in the same year. Reproductive diseases such as brucellosis, vibriosis and trichomoniasis are also known to exist, but their significance as limiting factors to reproductive performance is not known at this time. However, the satisfactory conception rates achieved with A.I. have demonstrated that technically the method is feasible and may have a role to play. In the results recorded there is a number of cattle (529) which remain uninseminated. These cattle are usually found to be maiden heifers which remain anoestrous throughout the breeding season and have presumably not attained a target breeding weight, and cows with their first calf at foot. This later category being notoriously difficult to breed where nutritional factors are suboptimal. Further critical examination is being made to try and categorize this group and avoid selection of this group offemales.
390
BRITISH VETERINARY JOURNAL, 131,4
One of the essential requirements of A.I. is that the progeny should have a reasonable chance of survival (Rollinson, 197 I). Fortunately, these conditions are available in Botswana, where there are no endemic diseases limiting the survival of cross-bred calves. The camp system would not be so readily applicable to those countries where calf survival is limited by an endemic disease such as east coast fever, requiring a high standard of management for its control. Trail et at. (197 I) showed that calving rates to A.I. were inferior to natural service under ranching conditions in East Africa. It is unlikely that, in the absence of breeding disease, this can be refuted. There is, however, a strong case for the maintenance of an A.I. service in a country where animal production plays a major role in the economy. A.I. is a prerequisite for the introduction of exotic breeds, and for the recognition and maximum utilization of proven sires. At present the A.I. scheme in Botswana is viewed as a useful method of introducing cross-bred progeny into the national herd, rather than a major method of breeding. In the future a nucleus A.I. service to exploit the development of oestrous synchronization, sexed semen and fertilized ovum transplantation may well be essential to all animal producing countries. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Director of Veterinary Services, Botswana, Dr J. Falconer, O.B.E. is thanked for permission to publish this paper. Recognition is also due to Dr A. S. Jensen, lately of the Department of Animal Health whose work in establishing the A.I. service in Botswana largely attributed to its present success. REFERENCES
BONADONNA, T. (1969). Br. vet. J. 125.521. CARMICHAEL, I. H . (1972 ). Trop. Anim. Hlth. Prod. 4. 176. CASSOU, R. (1950). Cr. Seanc. Soc. Biol., 144,486. ROLLINSON, D. H. L. (1971 ). A.B.A. 39,412. TRAIL, ]. C. M. & FISHER, I. L . (197 I ). The operation of beif cattle breeding research under semi arid extensive conditions in Botswana. Ministry of Agricul ture, Botswana. TRAIL,]. C. M ., SACKER, G. D. & FISHER, I. L. (1971). Anim. Prod. 13, 127. TRAIL, ]. C. M. (1974). Personal Communication. (Accepted for publication 16 July 1974)
L'inseIIIination artificielle au Botswana (Buck et al.) ReSUDle. L'industrie du boeuf au Botswana est l'un des secteurs les plus importants de l'economie du pays et sur lequel d epend une proportion elevee de la population. L'insemination artificielle du betail n'a e te introduite que recemment et n e se pratique encore qu'a tres petite echelle. On decrit l'organisation et la direction du service, ainsi que les resultats obtenus pendant la monte 1972/7 3. Les resultats indiquent que la technique est practicable dans des conditions d'elevage extensif, et on examine les possibilites de diffusion.
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN BOTSWANA
39 1
Kiinstliche Befruchtung in Botsuana (Buck et al.) Zusanunenfassung. Die Rinderzucht in Botsuana gehort zu den fUr die Wirtschaft des Landes wichtigsten Faktoren, und ein grosser Teil d er Bevolkerung verdient damit seinen L ebensunterhalt. Ktinstliche Befruchtung der Rinder ist erst vor kurzem eingefUhrt worden, und nocht nicht sehr verbreitet. Organisation und Leitung wird beschrieben sowie die in der Saison 1972/73 erzielten Resultate. Sie zeigen, dass die Methode unter vielseitigen Bedingungen praktikabel ist und die Moglichkeiten weiterer Verbreitung werden erortert. Inselllinaci6n artificial en Botswana (Buck et al.) Reswnen. La industria de la carne de vacuno de Botswana es uno de los sectores mas importantes de la economia del pais, de la cual d epende una gran proporci6n d e sus habitantes. La inseminaci6n artificial del ganado de engorde se ha introducido recientemente y se efectua aun en escala muy reducida. Se describe la organizaci6n y manejo de este servicio, asi como los tesultandos conseguidos durante la estaci6n de cria de 1972/73. Estos resultados indican que la ecnica es practica bajo condiciones extensas, y se discuten las posibilidades de expansi6n.
