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[av_heading heading=’URBAN FARMER | ‘Negros First Ranch’ aims to ensure food sufficiency’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY JULIO P. YAP JR.
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THE “Negros First Ranch” project was implemented by the Negros Occidental provincial government in an effort to ensure food sufficiency in the province.
The project was conceived from the Negros First Development Agenda wherein they have to restore their natural resource and one of the economic activities they have is to produce more meat and boost agricultural productivity.
The provincial government focuses on animal production to be able to sustain the livestock industry in the province to suffice the needs of the Negrenses.
To uplift the status of the cattle and sheep industry of the province, the provincial government has to implement vital projects like cattle breeding and fattening, sheep breeding, pasture development, and pursue research and training programs for the target beneficiaries.
The province infused cattle and sheep from outside sources to aid in the realization of its food sufficiency program as livestock raising is one of the main sources of income of a common Negrense.
The establishment of the Negros First Ranch also paved the way to establish the “Organic Negros Island” after manure or waste products in the course of cattle and sheep production were used to enrich the soil.
The province also aimed to genetically improve the sheep and cattle in the locality in order for to boost the production rate of the said industry.
This is under the Provincial Animal Genetic Improvement Development Program which resulted in the production of more cattle, sheep, and free range chicken.
Established in March 2011, the Negros First Ranch covered some 159 hectares of land in Sta. Rosa, Murcia, Negros Occidental.
Initially, about 70 hectares of the ranch was developed as a Napier plantation where the grass that can be harvested and processed as feeds for the farm animals.
In December 2011, at least 20 heads of the Brahman bull were transferred from the Sagay Breeding Center, while 5 heads of dairy animals were transferred from the PLBCDF.
Then in February 2012, the Negros First Ranch saw the arrival of 5,760 heads of imported sheep from Australia.
Under the cattle breeding and fattening project, there are at least 226 heads of beef and dairy animals being maintained in five existing cattle houses.
Of the number, 24 heads are confirmed to be pregnant, and there are 34 heads with calves.
Under the dispersal program, at least 13 heads of junior bulls were loaned to 3 local government units.
Under the sheep breeding project, there are 459 heads of sheep that are kept in 2 existing sheep houses.
Currently, 12 heads Jr. Ram were dispersed to sheep raisers covered by the Ram Loanscheme.
There are also 104 heads of turkey and 171 heads of native duck being reared at the ranch.
Overall, the ranch houses Brahman cattle (beef cattle), Holstein-Friesian cattle (dairy cattle), and Katahdin ewes (sheep), among others.
The project’s ultimate goal is to supply the province’s increasing demand for meat, milk, and other by-products.
The Negros First Ranch is aimed at strengthening the livestock industry in the province. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
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THE “Negros First Ranch” project was implemented by the Negros Occidental provincial government in an effort to ensure food sufficiency in the province.
The project was conceived from the Negros First Development Agenda wherein they have to restore their natural resource and one of the economic activities they have is to produce more meat and boost agricultural productivity.
The provincial government focuses on animal production to be able to sustain the livestock industry in the province to suffice the needs of the Negrenses.
To uplift the status of the cattle and sheep industry of the province, the provincial government has to implement vital projects like cattle breeding and fattening, sheep breeding, pasture development, and pursue research and training programs for the target beneficiaries.
The province infused cattle and sheep from outside sources to aid in the realization of its food sufficiency program as livestock raising is one of the main sources of income of a common Negrense.
The establishment of the Negros First Ranch also paved the way to establish the “Organic Negros Island” after manure or waste products in the course of cattle and sheep production were used to enrich the soil.
The province also aimed to genetically improve the sheep and cattle in the locality in order for to boost the production rate of the said industry.
This is under the Provincial Animal Genetic Improvement Development Program which resulted in the production of more cattle, sheep, and free range chicken.
Established in March 2011, the Negros First Ranch covered some 159 hectares of land in Sta. Rosa, Murcia, Negros Occidental.
Initially, about 70 hectares of the ranch was developed as a Napier plantation where the grass that can be harvested and processed as feeds for the farm animals.
In December 2011, at least 20 heads of the Brahman bull were transferred from the Sagay Breeding Center, while 5 heads of dairy animals were transferred from the PLBCDF.
Then in February 2012, the Negros First Ranch saw the arrival of 5,760 heads of imported sheep from Australia.
Under the cattle breeding and fattening project, there are at least 226 heads of beef and dairy animals being maintained in five existing cattle houses.
Of the number, 24 heads are confirmed to be pregnant, and there are 34 heads with calves.
Under the dispersal program, at least 13 heads of junior bulls were loaned to 3 local government units.
Under the sheep breeding project, there are 459 heads of sheep that are kept in 2 existing sheep houses.
Currently, 12 heads Jr. Ram were dispersed to sheep raisers covered by the Ram Loanscheme.
There are also 104 heads of turkey and 171 heads of native duck being reared at the ranch.
Overall, the ranch houses Brahman cattle (beef cattle), Holstein-Friesian cattle (dairy cattle), and Katahdin ewes (sheep), among others.
The project’s ultimate goal is to supply the province’s increasing demand for meat, milk, and other by-products.
The Negros First Ranch is aimed at strengthening the livestock industry in the province. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
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