NegOcc cattle production increased in past 5 years

BACOLOD City – The annual cattle population of Negros Occidental has steadily increased in the past five years, data of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) have shown.

Dr. Renante Decena, provincial veterinarian, said in a statement on Tuesday that the increasing trend can be attributed to natural breeding through the bull houses established by the provincial government in recent years.

The five-year data reported by Decena to the Provincial Board showed that in 2016, the province had produced 49,306 heads of cattle, which increased to 49,371 in 2017.

In 2018, total cattle population reached 50,052 then 51,319 in 2019; and 55,075 in 2020.

“The strong collaboration with partner-association, the United Cattle Raisers Association (UCRAIN) -Visayas, also contributed to (the) increase in production especially in the commercial scale,” Decena said.

He added that the Provincial Veterinary Office aims to further boost the cattle industry by pushing for the expansion of the service areas of artificial insemination (AI).

In expanding the service areas, the provincial government is eyeing the use of semen of new cattle breeds like Angus, Wagyu, Simmental, Charolais, Brahman, and Sahiwal.

Decena said the operationalization of cattle line abattoir with cold storage in Bago City, a joint project of the city government, provincial government, and UCRAIN, is also seen to boost production.

“It will enable the province to produce prime quality Negros beef,” he added.

Decena said the cattle sector development contributes to the province’s bid to diversify its industries, and not just rely on sugar. (PNA)