April 29, 2021

China aims to improve genetics of swine herd and other livestock

China aims to improve the genetics of its swine herd and other livestock over the next 10 years to breed livestock that produce more meat and consume less feed, as part of the country's goal to reduce its reliance on imports to feed its massive population, Reuters reported.

Shi Jianzhong, an official with the agriculture ministry's National Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources Committee, said sow herd productivity is 30% lower when compared to other developed countries, while dairy cows in China produce only 80% of milk compared to leading markets.

He also said China has to depend on overseas stock to produce white-feathered broiler chickens.

Chen Yaosheng, an official at the ministry's National Pig Genetic Improvement Program, said while China aims to reduce its reliance on imports, the country will continue to import animals to improve its domestic stock to catch up faster with advanced countries.

Sun Haoqin, another official on the livestock genetics committee, said if swine quality can be improved comparable to advanced countries, Millions of tons of feed grains will be saved and pressure on land will ease. Sun also said the measure will support China's switch to industrialised swine and chicken farms.

China's General Administration of Customs data showed the country imported 10,433 live swine worth US$25 million in the first quarter of this year, mostly from the United States and Denmark.

- Reuters