BACOLOD City – Livestock and poultry raisers in Negros Occidental already lost P4.6 million due to the extreme heat associated with the El Niño phenomenon.
The poultry sector, particularly broilers, incurred the biggest losses worth P1.48 million, based on the final damage report released by the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) this week.
Poultry raisers reported losses in layers totaling to P478,564; free-range chicken, P474,323; and game fowl, P450,500.
The swine sector incurred P1.183 million in losses while the remaining P369,278 accounts for losses in cattle.
Alpha Grace Tupas, project development officer I, said the cumulative report covers 26 affected local government units in Negros Occidental.
No additional damage is projected as rains are already experienced in some parts of the province, she added.
The PVO earlier said swine for livestock and broiler for poultry are the most vulnerable to extreme heat.
Swine animals have no sweat glands; they have difficulty regulating their body temperature so they need to be bathed frequently.
Broiler and layers, meanwhile, are fast-growing, thus their metabolism also fast. But they have a weak coping mechanism when it comes to heat regulation.
Aside from swine and chicken, some ruminants are also affected by the dry spell.
The amount of losses in livestock and poultry is part of about P480 million worth of production losses incurred by the province’s agro-fishery sector due to the El Niño. (PNA/PN)
