Participants of "International Symposium on Assisted Reproductive Technology and Extracellular Vesicle Science", organised by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), visit to the farm of Wan Mahendra's company in Rambungan, here yesterday.
Photo: UKAS
LUNDU: Beef prices in Sarawak are expected to stabilise within the next three years with the wider use of artificial insemination technology in cattle farming.
Cahaya Muqarrobin Resources Sdn Bhd director Wan Mahendra Wan Mohtar said the method has raised breeding success rates at his farm to between 70 and 85 per cent, compared with only 11 to 17 per cent using traditional practices.
“I am very optimistic that if the Sarawak government maximises the use of artificial insemination technology together with proper management systems, cattle breeding will expand more widely.
“This will stabilise beef prices and improve cattle numbers within the next three years, leading to lower costs and reducing dependence on imported live cattle,” he said.
He said this during a visit by participants of the International Symposium on Assisted Reproductive Technology and Extracellular Vesicle Science, organised by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), to the company’s farm in Rambungan recently.
Wan Mahendra said most of the semen used is imported from France and has proven effective in producing high-quality breeds such as Brahman, Limousin, Wagyu, Inra95 and Simmental.
In support of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s call for affordable beef prices, he added that his company plans to reduce its selling price for Hari Raya Korban next year to RM25 per kilogram, compared with the current RM30 per kilogram.
Cahaya Muqarrobin Resources is also the state’s largest supplier of rubber seedlings and has expanded into producing durian and avocado seedlings, making it one of Sarawak’s key players in agro-livestock and agriculture.
