A new breed of hope

At the end of 2023, a severe earthquake hit Jishishan in Gansu province, destroying local farmlands and collapsing cattle and sheep sheds, leaving the area in urgent need of reconstruction.

In response, 31-year-old Lu Xiaopeng arrived to help establish the Jishishan Cattle and Sheep Breeding Center, aiming to revitalize the local livestock industry.

Lu, a graduate of animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, had previously worked on a farm, in an animal hospital, and at a seed company. Upon being appointed head of the center, he brought advanced breeding and management expertise to the region.

Lu led a newly recruited team of 24 local employees, including five recent university graduates, to build the largest farm in the area from the ground up.

Under the leadership of the local government, construction of the breeding center began in early April 2024, and it officially started operations by mid-July.

With a total investment of 36.59 million yuan ($4.99 million), the center spans 196 mu (approximately 13.07 hectares). It includes 11 cattle sheds and 14 sheep sheds, currently housing 4,250 sheep and 800 cattle.