Agriculture Business Week

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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Posted on July 22nd, 2010 under Livestock. Tags: Goat, Milk. Comments: 2

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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Posted on July 11th, 2010 under Entrepreneurs, Livestock. Tags: Entreprenuers, Goat, Meat. Comments: 1

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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Posted on July 2nd, 2010 under Livestock. Tags: Chevon, Goat, Goat Meat. Comments: 3

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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Posted on June 19th, 2010 under Livestock. Tags: Goat, PCARRD. Comments: None

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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Posted on April 25th, 2010 under Entrepreneurs, Livestock. Tags: Goat, PCARRD. Comments: 1

A new research involving a private goat farm and two government agencies has come up with proof that indeed, goat dairying can develop into a viable industry.

The research that proves the viability of milk production with Saanen goats in particular was conducted from September 2009 to March 31 this year. It was a collaborative effort of the Alaminos Goat Farm (AGF), the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) and the National Dairy Authority.

Under the research which was financed by PCARRD, the daily milk production of the Saanen goats on the milkline at AGF was recorded during the seven-month period. And what did the study find? It found that the goats if well nourished and properly managed could produce a lot of milk.

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Posted on April 15th, 2010 under Livestock. Tags: Dairy, Goat. Comments: None

“The Philippines is importing 99 percent of its milk requirements as it produces only one percent of the total.”

Thus said owner Rene Almeda of the Alaminos Goat Farm (AGF) to illustrate the magnitude of the local market that his dairy products and those of other goat milk producers can supply.

AGF, according to Almeda, is stepping up its marketing offensive by showcasing an extended line of dairy products at the forthcoming Agrilink, Foodlink and Aqualink 2009, which is slated at the World Trade Center Metro Manila on October 8 to 10.

AGF is the maker of Milk Star, the pioneering fresh goat’s milk brand to be commercially produced and distributed at SM and Robinson’s supermarkets across Metro Manila.

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Posted on September 26th, 2009 under Livestock. Tags: Agrilink, Goat, Milk. Comments: None

Over the years, retired Police Major Avelino Peralta of Dauis Nome, Carmen, Cebu City has earned citations for his exemplary performance in law enforcement. Now he is again recognized for his outstanding performance, not in maintaining peace and order; but in animal raising.

He is recently named most outstanding smallhold animal raiser in Central Visayas Region. Good for this 65-years-old retired police that his childhood dream of having a profitable farm has come true at last. “Major P,” as his friends in the force fondly call him, used his retirement pay to acquire and establish 1.5-hectare farm. Here he raises 100 head of free-range native chicken and a number of sows and imported and native goats.

“Tiyo Bill,” as his neighbors call him, started with a few head of native goats. Then when he got his retirement pay five years ago he bought his first pair of Anglo Nubian breeders at P75,000 and crossed these with his natives. To further upgrade his ruminants, he bought a Boer by availing of the boar loan program of the Department of Agriculture Region 7.

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Posted on August 23rd, 2009 under Livestock, Poultry. Tags: Chicken, Goat, Pigs/Hogs. Comments: None

Aside from the production of purebred Saanens using purebred bucks of award winning dairy goat lines from Australia, the Almedas have embarked on a program that will incorporate Anglo Nubian blood in the offspring of Saanen. They have imported a purebred Anglo Nubian buck (AGF Darwyn) which has been used to upgrade their so-called Mitra Line of Anglo Nubian as well as their other stocks.

The Mitra Line Anglo Nubian, by the way, is an exceptional line that came from the herd of Dado Mitra, son of the late Sen. Ramon Mitra Jr. They originally consisted of five does that proved to be very prolific. In fact, one Mitra doe gave birth to five female kids on December 25, 2006, all of which are now in their breeding pens. Four have already successfully kidded, adding more stock to their Mitra Line.

The Mitra Line animals are not only prolific, they are also good looking Anglo Nubians which have height, length and mothering ability that one would look for in a good breeding stock. Today, the Mitra Line is one of the best performers in the Almeda farm.

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Posted on May 24th, 2009 under Livestock. Tags: Dairy, Goat, Laguna, Milk. Comments: None

Milk production with goats is increasingly becoming attractive as a few private raisers are discovering its possibilities with the use of improved technology. One fellow who is extremely excited about goat dairying is Rene Almeda. He and his two sons, Art and Toti, are operating the Alaminos Goat Farm in Laguna which is credited with what could be considered significant firsts in the industry.

The farm’s Milk Star fresh goat’s milk, for instance, is the first fresh goat’s milk to be commercially distributed in SM and Robinsons supermarkets in Metro Manila. A few weeks back, the farm was producing about 120 liters of milk a day but by the time this May issue of Agriculture Magazine comes out, the milk production could reach 200 liters a day as more animals join the milkline.

The Almedas operate one of the finest goat farms in the country today with a herd of some 600 Boers and Anglo Nubians, and about 300 Saanens. The Saanens are the ones currently producing the milk sold in the market. But the progenies of a superioY line of Anglo Nubian crossed with Saanen are what excite the Almedas the more. They call this the Alaminos Mitra Saanen cross or simply AMS cross.

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Posted on May 23rd, 2009 under Livestock. Tags: Alaminos, Dairy, Goat, Laguna, Milk. Comments: None

“There are grasses around my area. I can get them from the roadsides, under coconut trees and even in our backyard” says Manong Doming, recipient of goat dispersal program of a government project.

Manong Doming was given five upgraded does. But after six months, he sold his breeding stock due to shortage of forage. “There was a drought,” he explained, adding that other recipients like him also got their forage from the same area where he used to harvest. When asked how much he received for the goats, he said, “I sold them half the original price. My goats were thin and no one would buy it if I sell them at the original price.”

Most backyard goat raisers often overlook the importance of nutrition as one of the leading factors in goat production. “Good nutrition gives good production and consequently higher income,” points out a livestock specialist. “This can be only achieved if you have good quality forage for your animals.” Although forage is the main source of nutrients that most goats need, forage isn’t enough to meet the nutrient requirement for production; concentrates are also needed.

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Posted on March 22nd, 2009 under Livestock. Tags: Forage, Goat, Grass. Comments: 1

Goat farmers may soon have a new market for goat meat as Fortress Food Manufacturing Corporation embarks on two new canned products – sinampalukang kambing(chevon with tamarind soup) and kalderetang kambing(chevon stew).

Amelia R. Coronel, Fortress Food’s general manager, said that the two new products would soon be available commercially after it recently got the Halal certification from the Islamic Dawah Council of the Philippines (IDCP). This means that these products comply with the Islamic standards on food, allowing the Muslim consumers to make canned goat meat as a part of their diet.

There is an increasing demand for less popular meat products that are nutritious but have less cholesterol compared to other meats. “Goat meat can be a good substitute, which contains less fat yet is comparable to other meat in terms of taste,” Coronel added.

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Posted on February 22nd, 2009 under Livestock. Tags: Goat, Goat Meat, Meat. Comments: 5

Probiotics are dietary supplements and live microorganisms containing potentially beneficial bacteria or yeasts. According to the currently adopted definition by FAO/WHO, probiotics are: ‘Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host’.

Materials:
1/4 kg broken rice (binlud)
1 kg brown sugar or molasses

Equipment:
Cooking pot Shallow tray Old newspapers Straws for tying
Wide mouth bottles (for storing)

Procedure:
1. Cook porridge out of broken rice. Cool and spread on shallow tray about 1 inch thick.
2. Cover the tray with newspaper and lightly tie it with straw to prevent insects from crawling in.

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Posted on February 7th, 2009 under Livestock, Plant, Poultry. Tags: Cattle, Chicken, Duck, Goat, Pigs/Hogs, Plants, Probiotics, Recipes, Sheep, Turkey. Comments: 56

Researchers of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) Small Ruminant Center (SRC) and the Philippine Carabao Center have successfully done embryo transfer in goats despite a minimal budget of P350,000 for four years.

Towards the end of July this year, SRC Director Dr. Emilio Cruz showed to new CLSU President Dr. Ruben C. Sevilleja the two kids produced recently through embryo transfer (ET).

With Dr. Cruz as the coordinator, Dr. Lucia M. Rigos of the CLSU College of Agriculture leads this project with the collaboration of Dr. Felomino V. Mamuad and Dr. Edwin C. Atabay, both of the Philippine Carabao Center, Allan Quiambao, Dr. Alvin P. Soriano, and Fitz Vengerald L. Mamuad.

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Posted on February 1st, 2009 under Livestock, Technology. Tags: Embryo, Goat, Technology. Comments: 1