Agriculture Business Week

Sheep raisers in the Philippines are much less than goat raisers. That’s probably because most Filipinos have been used to eating goat rather than sheep. But there is an increasing awareness of the potentials of sheep production as a possible money-maker for local farmers.

That’s the belief of Jonie and Jeff Valencia, the father and son tandem who run the Ebenezar Goat Farm in Brgy. Arangureng, Capas, Tarlac. The Valencias have been importing small ruminants from Australia since 2005 which they sell to local farmers as well as to the government’s small livestock production program.

During their first three years of operating their goat farm, they were importing only goats for breeding.

They have imported 1,300 goats for Congressman Abdullah Dimaporo, for instance. Another recent big shipment of goats numbering 766 was for the government. Of course, they also sell a lot of goats for breeding to individual farmers.

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In many developing countries, livestock production is a major contributor to gross domestic product. And agroforestry practices that are mainly concerned with the management of trees, forage and livestock is known as Silvopasture.

In silvopasture systems, forage crops are deliberately introduced into a timber production system, or trees are deliberately introduced into a forage production system. The interactions among timber, forage, and livestock are thus managed intensively to simultaneously produce timber, a high quality forage resource and efficient livestock production. Overall, silvopasture can provide economic returns while creating a sustainable system with many environmental benefits. These systems range from traditional silvopastoralism to very high intensity cut and carry fodder systems.

TRADITIONAL GRAZING SYSTEMS
Peace Corps volunteers throughout Central America’s degraded uplands have seen the damaging effect that livestock can have on the land. However, livestock are an essential component of farming through out the Developing World, as they provide labor, fertilizer, transport, and food. Animals are also a major investment for families and have many social implications. Therefore, we should take a closer look at how animals can fit into programs that save and restore degraded lands.

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One reason goat raising is profitable and becoming popular nowadays is the fact that there are a lot of products one can make out of goat’s milk.

Cheese, pastillas, yogurt, and soap are some interesting goat milk products. And these are what a farmer scientist of the Southern Mindanao Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium in Davao City has developed and makes money from these days.

The lad is Darwin Tinasas. He has trained many farmers on goat raising, and he processes at least 100 kilos of cheese weekly, which he sells at P900 per kilo.

This owner of a 5-hectare integrated goat farm in Sitio Balengaeng in Los Amigos, Tugbok District, Davao City has also developed a ricotta cheese. It’s a byproduct of the whey drain. Dog breeders buy this cheese as it reportedly helps develop dog’s muscle formation.

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Raising goats as an enterprise is very appealing to entrepreneurs – not just in the Philippines, but in other countries as well. It is especially popular among Filipino entrepreneurs because raising goats entail low initial capital investment. The animal also fits the small hold farm conditions, and they proliferate fast.

At present, raising goats as a business is widely practiced by commonly by small farmers or backyard raisers where a farmer raises one to two goats. Commercial-scale goat farming is also steadily increasing as the demand for the product increases. Goats provide livelihood to about 15 million Filipinos across the country today.

Goats as one of the main sources of milk and meat have not been fully maximized in the country. However, consumers are starting to recognize goat’s milk as a product of good value. It is more digestible compared to cow’s milk, yet with a much lower cost. Goats are multi-purpose ruminants, and a study discloses that this animal produces 58.4% milk, 35.6% meat, 4.3% hide, and 1.7% fiber. Goats can provide the answer to improve nutritional requirements of the predominantly rural farm families in the country.

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Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corporation solely sponsored the 3rd Backyard Congress last April 10, 2010 at Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Davao City with the theme “The Diamond Program for Profitable Pork Production”. The event was the culmination of the 19th Hog Convention and Trade Exhibits organized by the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines (ProPork).

The event started with a motorcade from Magsaysay Street to the Bangko Sentral ng Filipinas in Davao City. Joining the caravan was ProPork President Albert T. Lim.

The congress was formally opened by Hendel P. Cabral, Pilmico Vice President for Sales and Marketing. Welcome addresses were given by ProPork President Albert T. Lim, BAI Director Davino Catbagan and Congress Chairman Eliseo Yu. The federation presented a plaque of appreciation to Pilmico for their sponsorship to the Hog Convention and for their solo sponsorship of the Backyard Congress.

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Although chevon or goat meat is considered a delicacy, not a lot of people have tasted it. In rural areas, goat meat is regularly served as “caldereta” in birthday, wedding, and fiesta celebrations. In the metro, however, people rarely get to eat goat meat. Consumers often choose to purchase beef, pork, or chicken for their meat dishes.

However, experts from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) say that a lot of health-conscious consumers opt to eat chevon because of its lower fat content. Since the current supply does not meet the increasing demand, goat meat fetches a very high price in the market. Still, goat production must be improved to ensure a stable supply in the future.

Several factors contribute to poor goat production. First, a female goat generally only bears one to two kids per kidding. It then takes about eight months or more until a doe can produce kids, making goat breeding a slow process. Furthermore, it takes around eight months until a goat is ready to be slaughtered for its meat. Also, a goat’s slaughter weight only averages 15 kg for native goats and about 3o kg for upgrades and crosses.

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Coming from the heels of ebola reston virus and AH1N1, typhoon-induced devastation and business risks brought about by foreign trade agreements, the swine business in the Philippines has become an interesting business, if not complicated. Pundits will definitely agree that this multi-billion peso sector, along with the corn industry, has faced more challenges than any agribusiness in the country.

Nevertheless, the industry’s resiliency is as “fat” as ever with stakeholders vowing to revive its vibrancy and entering 2010 with very bright prospects. Amid all ordeals, industry players are determined to hurdle insurmountable obstacles to get the sector back on the right track.

The stigma of 2009
Data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) show that in 2009 hog production managed to post a 1.16 percent increase due to the number of fatteners which resulted in increased number of animals sold for slaughter in Visayas and Mindanao. BAS also said the control of Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive System (PRRS) due to vaccination in Luzon regions resulted in the recovery of farms in the third quarter of last year.

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Although chevon or goat meat is considered a delicacy, not a lot of people have tasted it. In rural areas, goat meat is regularly served as “caldereta” in birthday, wedding, and fiesta celebrations. In the metro, however, people rarely get to eat goat meat. Consumers often choose to purchase beef, pork, or chicken for their meat dishes.

However, experts from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) say that a lot of health-conscious consumers opt to eat chevon because of its lower fat content. Since the current supply does not meet the increasing demand, goat meat fetches a very high price in the market. Still, goat production must be improved to ensure a stable supply in the future.

Several factors contribute to poor goat production. First, a female goat generally only bears one to two kids per kidding. It then takes about eight months or more until a doe can produce kids, making goat breeding a slow process. Furthermore, it takes around eight months until a goat is ready to be slaughtered for its meat. Also, a goat’s slaughter weight only averages 15 kg for native goats and about 30 kg for upgrades and crosses.

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It’s richer, creamier and contains protein, fat, lactose, vitamins and minerals, and water. But there’s more!

During the height of the milk crisis caused by melamine contamination of dairy products from China, the sales of carabao’s milk from the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) at the Science City of Munoz soared.

“The melamine scare could be one of the reasons for the increased demand for our milk and milk products,” said Mina Padilla-Abella, in-charge of the PCC’s milk processing unit located at the Central Luzon State University.

What most Filipinos don’t know is that carabao’s milk is touted to be the “most complete food.” The reason: it contains protein, fat, lactose, vitamins and minerals, and water. In addition, carabao’s milk is richer and creamier compared to cow’s and goat’s milk due to its high percentage of milk fat which is a good source of energy.

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A high-protein feed stuff showcased by a local distributor at the recent Agrilink trade show can be used to partially substitute soybean meal as an ingredient in animal feed ration. Called processed guar meal, it widely used in other countries and in India where it originated but was introduced to the country only few years ago.

Guar meal is one of the byproducts of the milling of guar gum, says Ana Liza Cuyugan of Centrovet Marketing, Inc., which markets imported processed guar meal under the product name Guarcol.

As a primary product of a fodder plant called guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), guar gum is extensively used as emulsifier, thickener, and stabilizer in food and oil industries. After the gum is extracted, guar meal is processed by toasting the guar seeds at high temperature to remove the natural trypsin inhibitor, thus enhancing its nutritive value and digestibility.

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There are many species of oregano. Origanum vulgare is a hardy, aromatic, bushy perennial with rose-purple, sometimes pink to white flowers. It is a European native, where it is commonly called White Marjoram.

Oregano has been highly prized for its folk and culinary uses. It is particularly used in Italian and Greek cuisine. It is the leaves that are used in cooking, and the dried herb is often more flavorful than the fresh.

Oregano is often used in tomato sauces, with fried vegetables, and grilled meat. With basil, oregano contributes much to the distinctive character of many Italian dishes. It also combines nicely with pickled olives, capers, and lovage leaves. Unlike most Italian herbs, oregano works with hot and spicy food, which is popular in southern Italy.

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Here’s your guide to surfing the limitless information you can find about livestock production in cyberspace.

Undoubtedly, the Internet has dramatically changed the way livestock producers, traders, researchers    and even consumers speedily do their business. Gone are the days when swine or goat farmers will have to travel miles just to get the latest prices of pork or chevon in the market. Today, it only takes a click of the computer mouse and you can get limitless information on practically anything regarding livestock: how is the feeds industry behaving? What are the FMD-free countries? Is Europe still banning the importation of beef? Or what’s the latest technology on the artificial insemination of lambs? While these tons of information come in handily, the problem is, how do we filter this avalanche of information in order to suit our needs?

As someone who practically lives and breathes agricultural information for years, we still find ourselves in a quandary especially when we do our research work over the worldwide web. For example, try typing the words “livestock production” in Google and you will get 2,880,000 hits. Where do you go from there? Below are four tips and reminders on how you can surf and navigate in cyberspace and still get the livestock information you want.

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Here’s an in-depth look at the world of organic farming for both livestock and organic.

Organic farmers should promote animal well-being throughout the farm. This may be done by minimizing physical and psychological stress on the animals and reducing the incidence of disease. Also, when animals are not stressed, veterinary hills are reduced and meat tenderness is maintained.

Pain and stress relief Conventional farming practices such as castrating, marking and mulesing, if it cannot be avoided, should be kept to a minimum.

Physical alternations should be provided as needed to promote the animal’s welfare and in a manner that reduces pain and stress. Anesthetics lidocaine and procaine are allowed to be sued for pain reduction. Chlorohexidine is also allowed for surgical procedures conducted by a veterinarian, as well as a number of other topical disinfectants.

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Ballesteros, Cagayan – Triple cross slaughter goat production is profitable, despite its attendant challenges, according to Magsasaka Siycntista (MS) Josue Balderama. The MS said this during the Field Day on July 15 of the Science and Technology Based Farm (STBF) on Quality Slaughter Goats.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD)-Technology Outreach and Promotion Division Assistant Director, Dr. Arturo Argailosa, who was present during the field day, validates Balderama’s claim. According to Dr. Argafiosa, the MS used to market his native goats for P1,000, but with his upgraded stock, he now gets P2,500-3,000 per head. Dr. Argailosa based this on the two batches of triple cross slaughter goats produced during the two-year implementation of the project, and specifically attributed the results to the MS’s adoption of interventions introduced through the STBF.

These innovations that MS Balderama adopted in his farm to produce quality meat goats are as follows: 1.) stock upgrading through triple cross breeding resulting in 25% Native: 25% Anglo Nubian: 50% Boer; 2) enhanced feed quality and improved feeding management by establishing a forage garden, and providing concentrate supplements and salt/ mineral blocks; 3) better parasite management though rotational grazing and strategic deworming; 4) housing and pasture paddock modification to support herd segregation; and 5) early weaning with supplemental kid mix formulation.

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