The dairy industry is anticipating a significant boost as imported Canadian heifers begin calving this month, according to Patrick Butcher, head of the Barbados Dairy and Beef Association. Last year’s heifer importation programme, which brought 180 pregnant cattle from Canada’s cold climate to the tropics, is already showing signs of success despite initial scepticism.Butcher pledged consumers would soon notice the benefits of the programme as the animals were expected to boost the island’s milk production in short order, which would lead to supermarket shelves being packed with offerings from the Pine Hill Dairy.He said: “The only mortality during the quarantine was one that came from the airport. When it came off the plane it had already been hurt so during transportation to the quarantine, the injury became more progressive. And we had to euthanise that one two or three days into the quarantine. Apart from that, there were no losses at all. The quarantine was actually successful, despite what people were putting out there.”Addressing concerns about the climate, Butcher explained: “[December] was the best time to bring cows to Barbados because they’re coming out of winter and this is our coolest temperature of the year. Anytime you’re bringing cows from a more temperate climate, December or late November is the best time because we normally get our coolest temperatures this time. I can only recall maybe one or two days when it’s been really warm since those cows got here and we’ve been getting some nice cooling breezes during the day. Even now, it’s a little chilly in the air.”