MEDIA RELEASE
Wellard Limited (Wellard, ASX:WLD) has successfully transported its first shipment of 2,000 dairy heifers to Sri Lanka under a contract to supply 20,000 dairy cattle to Sri Lanka.
Discharge of the Friesian Jersey-cross heifers, preg-tested in calf, was completed today after arriving from New Zealand. A 99.8 per cent success rate was achieved on the voyage.
“Sourcing and transporting the dairy heifers is just the first start of an extensive process to improve both the milk production and genetics of the Sri Lankan dairy herd,” said Wellard Breeding and Dairy General Manager Colin Webb.
The cattle are now being delivered to farmers in up-country districts of Sri Lanka where the climate is cooler and more temperate, and therefore more suited to efficient milk production.
“The Friesian Jersey-cross is well suited to the region. The Sri Lankan farmers will get the benefit of the productive capability of the Friesian combined with the nutritional requirements and durability of the Jersey cross,” Mr Webb said.
Each recipient farmer’s facilities have been inspected to ensure they are suitable and safe for the animals.
Wellard has three direct employees working in Sri Lanka on the project. When the project is at maximum capacity, more than 100 people will be working on the dairying project, employed either directly or by subcontractors, these will be assisted by the Sri Lankan Government project staff and veterinarians.
“The health and production of the heifers will be monitored by our veterinarians and technical advisers throughout the duration of the project,” Mr Webb said.
“Nutrition and technical advice is a key component of the contract. Not only are we improving the country’s milk production capacity, we are also improving the capability through infrastructure, animal husbandry and nutrition.”
For further information:
FTI Consulting, Cameron Morse
Phone: + 61 8 9485 8888
Mobile: +61 (0) 433 886 871