…as small poultry farmers complainThe Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) is investigating the quality of stockfeed available on the local market. This stems from complaints by small poultry farmers that it does not meet the quality standards that support healthy growth of poultry.“We have been doing surveillance studies to determine if the allegations of the farmers have any merit. We have also embarked on an exercise to determine the chemical and physical composition of the stockfeed,” Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said.The Minister stressed that not all stakeholders are cooperating with the GLDA and the Ministry may have to utilise the full force of the law and regulations to ensure cooperation.A small scale poultry farm.Dr. Ramsammy said,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, “The Ministry of Agriculture will ensure that all laws are complied with in order to protect the poultry industry. Previously, the Bureau of Standards had drafted standards for stockfeed. These were never finalised.”He assured that the Ministry will work with the Bureau of Standards and the Ministry of Commerce, Tourism and Industry to finalise these standards. The Ministry will also strengthen provisions to ensure certification and quality of feed plants.Another concern expressed by farmers was the cost of poultry stockfeed. Dr. Ramsammy pointed out that in recent weeks, prices of stockfeed from the major producer in Guyana have been rising. “These price increases have been introduced without notice to farmers or to the Ministry of Agriculture,” he said.The producers of feed in Guyana have blamed the price increases on the high costs for corn and soyabean meal on the overseas market. They related that owing to the drought in certain parts of the United States, the prices for those ingredients have increased. Some producers have been using rice as a substitute for corn,jerseys nfl wholesale, but there is no substitute for soybean meal.“Stockfeed availability in Guyana depends on production from one major producer, Guyana Stockfeeds Ltd.,China Jerseys Free Shipping, which accounts for about 60% of the stockfeed available. Bounty Farms also produces stockfeed, but mainly for its own use. There are some small producers, but their impact on the market presently is marginal,Wholesale NFL Jerseys,” Dr. Ramsammy explained.He related that a consultation will be held on Monday with a number of experts on one of the major constraints facing the poultry industry in Guyana – that of the availability and affordability of quality stockfeed.Dr. Ramsammy related that after a period of rising chicken prices earlier this year, they are now stable on the local market. “At both Bourda and Stabroek Markets,Cheap Wholesale Jerseys, and at other markets around the country, prices remain relatively stable for chicken and eggs,” Dr. Ramsammy said.While the price is stable not everyone could afford to pay $400 per pound of chicken.“Indeed, prices compared to the same period in 2011 show a slight decrease. The truth is that even though we provided licences for importation of chickens earlier in the year, the Ministry of Agriculture is only aware of two importers who actually imported chicken,” he disclosed.It was noted that chicken production has increased from 13,329,083 kilograms (kg) for the first half of 2012 as compared to 12,Wholesale Authentic Jerseys,238,682 kg for the same period in 2011. This represents a nine percent increase.