"ON-FARM" BEEF AND DAIRY PERFORMANCE TESTING PROGRAMS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

Beef and dairy cattle production, like any other agri-business enterprise, has to justify its existence by making a profit. This has led to an increased dependence on management decisions based on sound, accurate, useful and timely records. The Virgin Islands Beef Cattle Improvement Program (VIBCIP) and the Virgin Islands Dairy Herd Improvement Program (V1DHIP) provide the farmer with the necessary tools to get the maximum return on his investment in his livestock enterprise by identifying the most profitable animals. The VEBCIP has contributed to the increase in the average weaning weight of calves from 450 lbs. in 1979 to 505 lbs. in 1987. It has also aided in the sale and exportation of quality breeding stock to the United States, Central and South America and the Caribbean. The VIDHIP has helped to increase the rolling herd average of its members from 7,000 lbs. in 1982 to 8,500 lbs. in 1987