Mindanao Cattle Research and Development Project (MCRDP)

                                                By: Cecilio Felix, DVM

                                                MCRDP: Resource Person, Project Staff UP Mindanao

On February 15, 2012, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed to establish the Mindanao Cattle Research & Development Project (MCRDP) on the designated area of Bago Oshiro within the University of the Philippines Mindanao Campus. The MOA was signed by Efren C. Nuestro, DVM, of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Oscar Parawan, DVM, of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit XI (DA-RFU XI), Gilda C. Rivero, PhD, Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Mindanao, and Cecilio T. Felix, DVM as Resource Person from the US and member of the Project Staff of the University of the Philippines Mindanao.

Prior to the preparation of the MOA, I met Mr. Sebastian L. Angliongto, of Davao, Mindanao, while visiting friends in Sacramento, CA in 2009. Mr. Angliongto, who was active in community development in Davao, mentioned the need to develop the livestock industry in Mindanao. In 2010, in a meeting/workshop arranged by the Bureau of Animal Industry, I introduced the use of smaller cattle like the miniature Hereford breed in the U.S. and a breeding program as an option to develop a beef type cattle in the Philippines. In attendance were Nuestro C. Bueno, DVM, Director of BAI, R. O. Cresencio, DVM, of BAI/LDD, P. C. Limson, DVM of BAI (AI National Coordinator, T. M. Topacio, Jr. DVM, of the College of Veterinary Medicine (National Scientist), B. C. Albarece, DVM, president, Federation of Cattle Association of the Philippines. In the same year, 2010, as arranged by Mr. Angliongto, similar familiarization workshop was conducted in the Davao Chamber of Commerce before the members of the Federation of Cattle Raisers Association of the Philippines in Mindanao, headed by Dr. Ben Albarece, UP Chancellor Gilda Rivero, and Dr. Rafael Mercado from DA-RFU XI.

The last four individuals named above spent so much time and effort working with the Bureau of Animal Industry and the Department of Agriculture 2011 to facilitate the completion of the final MOA and including the initial funding for MCRDP (June, 2011) for the purchase of livestock.

In March, 2011, during the BAI 81st Foundation Anniversary, I conducted another workshop with Dr. Ben Albarece to emphasize the advantages of raising miniature cattle in a country where pasture land is limited. The advantages of Miniature Hereford Cattle (as full blood Hereford) are: high feed conversion (25 to 30% less feed); docile/disposition, easy to handle, hardy, adaptable to various climates, higher profit ability; stocking rate is 3:1 per acre compared to large cattle, early maturity; slaughter weight in 16 to 18 months or earlier is 700 to 1,100 pounds or more depending on the type of miniature based on heights and breed; and resistance to certain parasites.

The breeding methodology and cattle management technology used in MCRDP are simple and easily understood. The Department of Agriculture and the University of the Philippines and other State Universities in the country have adequate technical resources to conduct and sustain the project such as providing efficient utilization of pasture and other management support to improve existing conditions.

OBJECTIVE OF MCRDP: The main objective is to attain genetic independence for sustainable beef and dairy cattle production without duplicating current efforts and developments by the National Dairy Authority. Genetic improvement is accomplished by breeding selected Philippine native heifers or cows through Artificial Insemination - using semen from a line bred, certified pure breed Miniature Hereford bull from the U.S. that were donated by the writer on March 14, 2011 - to jump start the breeding program.

The breeding program used in MCRDP is based on actual research and development by private cattle breeders and educational institutions in the United States in the last forty years. It involves line breeding, outcrossing, and bull selection to develop a new foundation herd of small beef type Hereford cattle in the Philippines as well as the needed bull that has the prepotency to breed true, and replicate itself year after year.

I would like to emphasize that in MCRDP, we are not using two known breeds with pedigree history. The project used 24 Philippine native heifers with very little known documented history; introduced to the Philippines from mainland China and Mexico 400 years ago. Variations in physical characteristics in the F1s from the original sire are possible considering the genetic influence from both sides at 50/50 percent.

NOTE: In this brief write up, some details are not included. The first successful artificial inseminations started on January, 2014 and continued through the year 2015. Of the original 24 heifers, 16 were bred successfully ( by AI ) and gave birth to sixteen (16) F1s: 8 bull calves and 8 heifer calves. The line breeding program will actually start in 2016 as the F1 heifer calves as well as the selected F1 bull reach the age of puberty and under acceptable nutritional conditions.

I am attaching several photos of the F1s (bulls and heifers calves) that are now from 8 months to 16 months old, and what we do in MCRDP. These F1s resemble almost the sire in color and conformation and height although the blood influence from both side is 50/50. The physical characteristics observed in the F1s are very encouraging and desired.
 

Briefly as cited in PART III - GENERAL PROVISIONS OF THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT, all collaborative works, research, projects and other contributions given to the success of MCRDP by individuals or groups must be duly respected. I do not claim that my part or contribution to this Project be compensated. The MINDANAO CATTLE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT PROJECT is funded by the national government ( tax money ). I understand that the Philippine citizenry is the beneficiary of this Project.

Cecilio T. Felix, DVM
7456 Colbert Drive
Rancho Murieta, CA 95683

*Web note: To read article on launching of MCDRP,  go to Chapters>Mindanao Chapter>Updates>2014 Apr 14 or simply click here.
 

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