A UQ animal scientist is part of a group of international experts reviewing livestock projects to improve production in the republics of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Associate Professor Dennis Poppi of UQ`s Schools of Animal Studies and Veterinary Science is reviewing projects funded by The United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The projects involve sheep and goat pastoralists from both countries and the expert group toured the regional projects under the direction of the Global Livestock Co-operative Research Support Program (GLCRSP).
According to Associate Professor Poppi, the region where the projects were being reviewed is on the Silk Route to China and has some of the largest grassland areas of the world.
�Traditionally the pastoralists were nomadic but under the Soviet system they formed collectives and the nomadic lifestyle was more restricted,� he said.
�When the Soviet system collapsed, both countries faced a loss of markets and also a change in the market requirements for fibre from the international markets.�
Associate Professor Poppi and his colleagues were tasked with reviewing projects undertaken by a team of researchers from the USA and UK who were looking at the viability of classing and bulking fine wool and cashmere, and the new marketing procedures which could be introduced to assist with the redevelopment of this important industry.
�As a result of this project, we hope that pastoralists will be able to bulk fibres within international market lines and subsequently get better prices for their product,� Associate Professor Poppi said.
�The predominant sheep breed is the merino and both countries look to Australia for expertise in fibre production and marketing.
"Some of the merino genetics have come via Australia but most evolved from the original traditional lines from which the Australian merino was developed.
�Only recently was cashmere identified in indigenous goats and the projects are looking at ways of harvesting this and selecting for animals which produce higher yields of cashmere.�
Another project is encouraging local artisans and putting them in contact with international markets. Felting is a local tradition using wool and beautiful rugs are made.
Dr Poppi was part of the review team providing technical expertise to the evaluation process and in his capacity as a member of the GLCRSP. The GLCRSP is funded by USAID and administered by UC Davis, California, for $18m for 5 years to study livestock issues around the world. Dr Poppi is a member of the External Program Administrative Council with other members from various international organisations such as the World Bank. The Council provides input on the overall program goals, recommends strategies for programmatic development and advises and concurs on the program budget. He has been a Board member since 2002.
The GLCRSP has many other programs with livestock particularly in Africa. These include investigating the role of animal source food in the nutrition of infants in Africa and in HIV/AIDS patients, early warning systems for drought and animal movement in Africa, the interaction of wildlife reserves and commercial livestock operations in Africa and the USA, and forage monitoring technology for herders in the Gobi desert.
Media inquiries: Susanne Schick - UQ Gatton Campus (5460 1229, 0409 265 587).
Further information/comment: Contact Dennis Poppi (3365 2573).
