In November 2024, representatives from the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Labratory (WVDL) completed a market
development mission to Tanzania and Kenya, supported by an Export Expansion Grant from the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE). The grant allowed WVDL to not only participate but also contribute unique expertise to the
mission's success. The USDA Foreign Agriculture Service office and Rootooba Limited in Nairobi helped coordinate activities in Nairobi, Kenya, and Arusha, Tanzania.
Also participating in the trade mission, which was led by DATCP's IABC staff, were representatitves from the National Association of Animal Breeders Certified Semen Services, New Generations Genetics, and Sunshine Genetics, the latter two of which are Wisconsin-based bovine genetics companies. The delegation worked with the new Agriculture Councilor, Bret Tate, and Agriculture
Attache, Damian Ferrese, who are based at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. They traveled to the Department of Livestock
Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock
Research Organization (KALRO), and the Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre
(KAGRC). Kenyan staff at all three locations identified three areas for livestock improvement in the country: management/extension for improved animal health with improved availability for
diagnostics and stall-side tests; macro and micro nutrition; and genetics.
The group also traveled to the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and
met with several different scientists and livestock development advocates. The ILRI is well-positioned for collaborative
research and advocacy to improve livestock health and productivity.
In addition to government and research meetings, the delegation held extension meetings in Nairobi and Arusha that reviewed the
advantages and track record of excellence for the bovine artificial insemination
and embryo industries. They also had
business-to-business meetings for relationship building and project
development. Dr. Keith Poulsen of WVDL anticipates pursuing future work in both countries that will
focus on improved animal health diagnostics, animal health training, and developing
disease control programs for brucellosis and tuberculosis in cattle. 