Role of fodder trees in Philippines small holder farms

The majority of livestock in Asia are found on smallholder farms. In the Philippines, it is estimated that 80 percent of the cattle population is raised by small holders or  another term for this is backyard cattle raisers while over 90 percent of buffalo and goats are also in the hands of small farmers. Dairy production remains underdeveloped but the small number of cattle and buffalo being milked are raised by smallholders, who individually sell their produce to milk buyers or through a government assisted milk-collection program. The sheep population is small (about 30,000) but interest in the animal is growing with a high level of acceptability on both small and large farms. The feeding of livestock on small farms depends primarily on forages which consist of weeds, crop by-products and tree fodder. The rest of the article can be found here.

Cattle Pictures February 2010

We started raising cattle way back in 2004 starting with a single head. Over the years it multiplied and we added additional heads. Currently we own 15 heads distributed to different individuals in Lupao Nueva Ecija Central Luzon Philippines. Lately last February my wife took some pictures on some of the cattle.

A view of a cattle raising enthusiast

In this current economy we need to find some ways to earn some extra income at the same time helping others earn as well. That's why we've decided to continue with our investment on backyard cattle raising. Cattle raising is a very good agribusiness alternative since it doesn't take your time away from you. What we normally do is let somebody you trusted take care of the cattle or if you have lots of cattle it can be distributed to any individual who is willing to take the responsibility. As I've said as a cattle owner you know and trust those individuals who will be taking care of your cattle.

For profit sharing this is how it works. If it's a bull the profit sharing would be . . .gross sale less agreed amount of the bull when the time the caretaker took the responsibility, whatever is the remaining amount would be divided into two as a share of the owner and the caretaker.

If it's a cow the profit sharing would be like this, the first born calf would go to the owner then the second calf goes to the caretaker. It's an alternate sharing. If the owner decides to sell the cow then profit sharing scenario of the bull applies to the cow.