How local crops can end malnutrition

MANILA, Philippines – The vegetables and other crops people grow in their backyards might be the answer to ending malnutrition in their local communities.

The Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), recently concluded its test production of complementary food using locally-available ingredients.

According to the World Health Organization, this is used to provide nutrients to children, especially when breastfeeding no longer meets the required nutritents intake.

Supervising Science Research Specialist Joyce Tobias said that the expensive imported fortified complementary food used by the WFP pushed them to find another option.

“Mahal ang imported kaya hindi advisable na laging iyon ang gamitin,” she explained. (It’s not advisable to always use imported food because they’re expensive.)

The new complementary food costs only P7 per sachet and P75 per pep bottle. A pack already contains more than half of the nutrient requirements of a child per day.

Our backyard can do a lot of things aside from growing local crops. It is also very useful in raising live stocks such as chickens, goats, pigs and even backyard cattle raising can also be done.

Of course a proper handling should be done or else the vegetables and other crops would end up being consumed by farm animals :).

 

More on this story . . .

Raising Cattle - All You Need To Know To Be Successful In Rearing Cattle?

There are many things that you can do to earn significant profit with farming activities and one of these is cattle farming, which is also known as the process of rearing cattle. Raising cattle basically means keeping cattle, which includes different kinds of beasts of burden such as cows, oxen, and sheep for production of milk and meat. Many cattle farmers engage in this because the industry is profitable, progressive, and the work to be done isn't as rigorous and demanding as other farming activities. If you're interested in learning about the different aspects of cattle farming, this article should be your first step to getting a clear idea of what you're getting into.

When cattle farming, one of the most important objectives is to determine what produce you are going to supply by breeding and raising your herd. Referring to many cattle farmers, raising cattle for their meat is a lot simpler as likened to other types of cattle such as dairy. You as the cattle farmer will instantly receive income once the cows have been sold for slaughtering and/or bought for breeding purposes.

Another important factor to rearing cattle is the choice of cattle breed, and in most parts of the country, these are the most popular:

o Droughtmaster

o Local Indian Dairy

o Friesian-Sahiwal Cross

o Brahman

o K-K (Kedah Kelantan)

As you go along, you will discover many books that will teach you the basic and advanced tips and strategies on how to effectively breed and rear cattle for profit. This means learning the basics on how to raise cattle, how to breed cattle, and even how to sell cattle to either corporations or direct consumers. All in all, you need to have a stable and solid business plan when dealing with business transactions to be able to receive profit worthy enough of your efforts and investments.

Hence, what do you require to do in order to successfully raise cattle? You need to have not only the animals but the equipment, the habitat, and the necessary medications in case something happens to any of the individual cows. Competencies on choosing and breeding is also important if you plan to raise a herd of high quality cattle. In order to do this, you need to balance selection of genetics with your hands-on skills in managing your very own herd. Once completed correctly and constantly, you will surely build a herd that many customers will keep an eye on to monitor.

Copyright (c) 2011 Adam Rise

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Livestock Expo 2015 - Better Than Ever!

The Country's Offical Livestock Show Is Back And Better Than Ever!
   
Livestock Philippines 2013 scores another successful show as no less than President Benigno S. Aquino III opened the show to more than 5,000 visitors and 200 exhibitors from 20 countries.

As it runs from August 7 - 9, LIVESTOCK PHILIPPINES 2013 is now one of the springboards in establishing livestock business opportunities not just in the Philippines but throughout Asia.

Visit the site

Farmers feel positive about the future of dairy, says report

Farmer confidence remains varied across all dairying regions, underpinned by the differences between domestic and export supply markets, according to Dairy Australia’s 2011 Situation and Outlook Update report.

Analysis undertaken by Dairy Australia as part of the Update has also revealed instability within the world’s major developed economies, raising questions about the possible likelihood of another financial crisis and the impact it could have on dairy.

In an update of the February-​March National Dairy Farmer Survey conducted in late August, 78% of farmers are feeling positive about the future of the industry, compared to 72% when surveyed in February. [More]

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Mindanao researchers discover more effective ways to raise cattle

KABACAN, COTABATO – A group of researchers from the Philippine Carabao Center at the University of South Mindanao (PCC-USM) have revealed the effectiveness of improved feeding strategies and the use of a “cow calendar” in reproductive capacity of cows.

The research was initiated after reports of infertility and abortion of cows in breeding facilities. Some of the reasons for infertility include genetics, environment, and health. Nutrition is a major contributor to the breeding capacity of cows.

A cow calendar measures the length of time between breeding and lactation of cows. The calendar should also indicate the feeding process and the type of food given to the cows. More>>

Cow Ranch in Masbate Philippines

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A new way to vaccinate cattle

A new approach to vaccinating cattle could help farmers worldwide, research suggests.

Scientists have developed a technique using a harmless parasite, which lives in cows but has no effect on their health, to carry medicines into the animals' bloodstream.

Researchers created the vaccine by inserting key genetic material from a vaccine into the parasite's DNA.
The manipulated parasite is intended to be injected into cattle, where it would continue to thrive in their bloodstreams, releasing small amounts of vaccine slowly over time. More >>