On May 14, the Shanxi Provincial Committee on Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources was established in Taiyuan. Candidates were recommended by the Provincial Animal Husbandry Center, Shanxi Agricultural University (Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences), relevant universities and municipal seed industry management departments. After formal review, candidate competition and expert group selection, the first committee composed of 78 members was produced from 105 recommendations.

In recent years, the provincial party committee and the provincial government have attached great importance to the protection, utilization and innovation of germplasm resources. The development of the livestock and poultry industry in the province has taken a solid step. The protection system of livestock and poultry genetic resources has been increasingly perfected, the independent innovation ability of some livestock species has been steadily improved, and the supply capacity of good livestock and poultry has been significantly enhanced. 

Up to now, 5 national seed protection farms, 1 national protected area, 14 provincial seed protection farms, 3 provincial protection areas, and 1 provincial gene bank have been built. Additionally, the ability to protect livestock and poultry genetic resources has been continuously enhanced. Pig genome selection chips of different densities have been developed for the selection of Jinfen white pig, Shanxi black pig and other varieties, and the genetic progress has increased by more than 15%. A new breed of beef cattle with clear blood, high production performance and genetic stability has been created, “Taihang Cloud Bull”.

The first Shanxi Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources Committee is full of strength, including technical theory, molecular biology, genomics and other research, as well as applied technology research, technology promotion and industrial development and application. The expert team has formed a reasonable ladder, realizing the combination of the old, middle-aged and the young. Five professional committees have been set up, covering all pigs, chicken, cattle, sheep and other livestock species, which is highly in line with the “Five-Year Strategy” of animal husbandry in Shanxi Province.

In the coming period, the Shanxi Provincial Committee of Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources will focus on six aspects of work, including breeding innovation, resource exploration, seed preservation guidance, variety registration, promotion and application, and technical support. This will help to make new and greater contributions to the revitalization of the livestock and poultry industry and the construction of a strong characteristic seed industry in Shanxi Province.

Source: Agri.cn