Strengthening global livestock through the Cochran Fellowship Program

Dairy

The Cochran Fellowship Program (CFP), a cornerstone of USDA’s global agricultural initiatives, is instrumental in advancing livestock genetics and reproductive technologies worldwide. U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. (USLGE) recognizes the immense value of this program for its enduring impact in shaping livestock industries across the globe.

A recent success was highlighted during a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Agribusiness Trade Mission in Morocco, where USLGE engaged with 5 former Cochran fellows from Morocco’s dairy industry. Those individuals, who increased their knowledge through Cochran training in the United States, offered invaluable insight into Morocco’s agricultural dynamics, including policy changes, resource constraints, and production levels. USLGE representatives were able to visit Lait Plus, a dairy farm with the highest producing dairy herd in Morocco, under the management of Khalid Tabti, a former Cochran fellow.

They also visited Safilait operations with its sourcing director Khalid Maataoui, another Cochran fellow from the same cohort. Safilait is the 3rd largest dairy processing company in Morocco. Looking ahead, USLGE is excited about the prospect of collaborating with FirmaPro, a family-operated business committed to enhancing the potential of livestock farmers in Morocco. Its efforts span large-scale dairy operations to small-scale producers and pastoralists, with deep expertise in the small-ruminant sector.

Under the leadership of Dr. Nadia Lotfi, FirmaPro has been providing education and support to Moroccan farmers for many years, empowering the country’s livestock sector to thrive. An employee of FirmaPro is also a former Cochran fellow.

The relationships built through CFP create a foundation for sustained goals in key export markets, enabling focused and strategic growth in global livestock sectors. Because genetic improvement is a long-term endeavor, the enduring partnerships formed with Cochran fellows ensure that efforts to improve livestock genetics and production systems are not only effective but also sustainable. The ongoing collaborations underscore the continuing return on USDA’s investment in capacity building and the lasting impact of CFP.