BY ADRIAN P. NEMES III
The first-ever goat triplets of the Anglo Nubian breed, that is known to produce more meat, were born at the Negros First Ranch in Murcia, Negros Occidental recently, Provincial Veterinarian, Dr. Renante Decena, said.
Decena said this development will bring positivity to the livestock industry in Negros Occidental and signifies strong commitment in achieving food security under the Abanse Negrense Development Agenda.
There are 58 breeder stocks at the Negros First Ranch, and the province has always been optimistic about enhancing the dairy goat industry by increasing its population through the infusion of island borne type of goats that will enable the production of large volume of milk, as well as meat, he said.
This is in line with the advocacy of the province to improve the health status of public school children as well as the welfare of the milk consuming public, to subtly shift the preference of Negrenses from other beverages to milk, by introducing and patronizing locally-produced fresh milk, and to undertake regular milk feeding programs in the community, Decena added.
For almost two years, the province has been able to release about 230 heads of dairy goats by way of donation to local government units and/or government agencies for the realization of the project, he said.
Dairy goat is an alternative livestock enterprise suitable for small-scale livestock raisers with minimal capital investment on housing, nutrition and labor. These are easy to handle and manage as the goats require low maintenance for feeding through tree leaves, weeds, grasses, and agricultural by-products, he said. Decena said that, at the moment, there is an increase in demand for goats, considering their economic, social, and health significance as a plus factor to the value of dairy goat farming.*
