MAYDOLONG, Eastern Samar – Thirty-two farmers from the municipality of Maydolong completed the three-day Training on Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP)-Anchored Native Cattle Production and Management (Farmer Level, Batch 4) conducted from May 26 to 28, 2026.
The training aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of participants on good animal husbandry practices for beef cattle production and management. It provided farmers with both theoretical and practical learning opportunities to strengthen their capacity in sustainable livestock production.
Throughout the training, participants gained knowledge on the regional beef cattle industry situation, different cattle breeds in the Philippines, sectors benefiting from GAHP, certification requirements, proper record keeping, animal identification and traceability, administration and storage of veterinary drugs, cattle nutrition, forage utilization, stocking density computation, breeding methods and practices, heat detection, common cattle pests and diseases, biosecurity measures, proper animal handling, and environmental management.
To complement the lectures, participants took part in hands-on activities such as farm layouting, Urea Molasses Mineral Block (UMMB) production, silage making, proper animal restraint, and the administration of veterinary drugs. These practical exercises enhanced their technical competencies and provided them with valuable experience in implementing improved livestock management practices.
The participants recognized the importance of adopting Good Animal Husbandry Practices to improve animal health, productivity, and overall farm performance. They also expressed their commitment to sharing the knowledge, skills, and best practices gained from the training with fellow farmers and members of their communities to encourage the wider adoption of sustainable livestock production technologies.
Liza L. Palce, one of the participants, shared that the training was highly beneficial for local farmers, particularly because their association had recently received cattle. She noted that the activity equipped them with the knowledge and skills needed to properly raise and manage their animals, including proper feeding, silage preparation, UMMB production, and herd expansion.
Meanwhile, Oscar A. Buenafe expressed his gratitude to the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) through ATI-RTC 8 for making the training possible. He said the activity helped participants realize that some of their previous livestock management practices were not aligned with recommended standards and enabled them to learn the proper methods of raising and caring for cattle.
The training is part of ATI-RTC 8’s continuing efforts under the CFIDP to strengthen the capabilities of farmers and support the development of sustainable and productive agricultural enterprises in Eastern Samar and the rest of the region.
