PERFORMANCE OF IMPORTED DAIRY CATTLE DISPERSED IN PILOT AREAS OF BUKIDNON, CEBU AND DAVAO DEL SUR1

Julnar E. Pepito jepepito@yahoo.com

Central Mindanao University

Abstract

The production and reproduction performance of imported dairy cattle dispersed in the pilot areas of Bukidnon, Cebu and Davao del Sur was evaluated and the factors affecting thereof were identified through a systems approach such agro-climatic condition, land use, immediate stakeholder profile, immediate stakeholder gender role, immediate stakeholder’s experiences, levels of skills and technology, nutrient availability and flows, information and communication technology (ICT) application, dairy cooperative and policy, and contribution of imported dairy cattle. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analyses of variance, Duncan Multiple Range Test, correlation and Stepwise Regression Through the Origin.

Results showed highly significant differences on the “milk production” and significant differences for “peak months of milk production” and “number of offsprings produced” between Cebu and Bukidnon or Davao del Sur. However, no significant differences were observed on the “lactation period”, “weaning period”, “first postpartum estrus manifestation” and “dry period”.

Results revealed that factors such as agro-climatic condition, land use, immediate stakeholder profile, immediate stakeholder gender role, immediate stakeholder’s experiences, levels of skills and technology, nutrient availability and flows, information and communication technology application, dairy cooperative and policy, and contribution of imported dairy cattle affected either directly or indirectly the performance of imported dairy cattle of in respective provinces in fact 25 predictor variables were identified.

The level of understanding increased by 15.48% after the deliberation of results and confirmation of immediate stakeholders experiences. Issues and concerns in dairying were identified and prioritized for appropriate action.

INTRODUCTION

The increased awareness of livestock’s role in the Philippine economy for this millennium encourages animal scientists to conduct research and formulate methodologies in consonance with the trend of modern technological advancement applicable in sustaining animal production. Animal scientists play vital role in boosting animal production particularly in dairy due to the demands of increasing human population. Dairying, however, is one of the most dynamic animal production systems that need attention and in-depth understanding since dairy animals provide milk and meat for food, calf for additional income; as well as, manure for fertilizer and to some extent environmental problem.

Dairying in the Philippines is in its infancy stage or is the least developed sector of the livestock industry although it started in the 15th century (NDA, 2004). To recall, the private sectors on commercial dairy production farms and Dairy Training and Research Institute (DTRI) was established as early as 1950s and 1960s, respectively (UPLB-DTRI, 2005) as well as with the enacted dairy laws since 1964 (NDA, 2004). The dairy cattle dispersal program in the Philippines has been implemented a couple of decades thus, it is high time to evaluate its impact and give merit of recognition to those stakeholders who are on the frontier in making the dairy industry sustaining. It is believed that dairy farming is complex as it is governed by closely interlinked factors such as physical, human,

PAGE 10 Journal (2010) 7(1):97-112

Adviser: Dr. Maria Luz L. Soriano

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technical, socio-economic and political, and biological which inhibit the development of dairy industry in the Philippines. Evaluation on the performance of imported dispersed dairy cattle, therefore, needs a "systems approach" which requires systematic [qualitative and quantitative analysis] and holistic analysis among the interconnectivity of factors either directly or indirectly affecting the performance of imported dairy cattle as well as, the dairy industry.

This study evaluates the performance of imported dairy cattle dispersed in pilot areas of Bukidnon, Cebu and Davao del Sur. The study answers the following questions: (1.) What is the trend of production (milk production and distribution, peak months of milk production, lactation period, number of offspring produced) and reproduction (weaning period, first postpartum estrus manifestation and dry period) performance of imported dairy animals at immediate stakeholders’ level in pilot areas of Bukidnon, Cebu and Davao del Sur base on the performance indicators?; (2.) How do factors such as agro-climatic condition, land use, immediate stakeholder profile, immediate stakeholder gender role, immediate stakeholder’s experiences, levels of skills and technology, nutrient availability and flows, information and communication technology (ICT) application, dairy cooperative and policy, and contribution of imported dairy cattle affect the performances of imported dairy cattle across the pilot areas of Bukidnon, Cebu and Davao del Sur?; (3.) To what extent do the factors influence the overall performances of imported dairy cattle across pilot areas of Bukidnon, Cebu and Davao del Sur?; and (4.) What is the level of understanding of immediate stakeholders on the relevant factors influencing the performances of imported dairy cattle as well as issues and concern in dairying across pilot areas of Bukidnon, Cebu and Davao del Sur?

THEORETICAL/CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Planning for livestock and poultry development is the primary responsibility of the government, academes or institutions engaged in animal production. Thus, a big challenge posses to animal researchers to have broader perception and integration of various concepts into a more holistic one in order to promote appropriate technology and adopt suitable strategies for development of the livestock and poultry industry, particularly in dairy. Researches conducted related to dairy production are so fragmented and the complicated factors affecting the whole systems that require attention have been neglected. Problems in dairying system were related to socio-economic and political aspects and less attention for physical, human, technical or even biological factors that interlinked with each other which also need investigation (Figure 1).

The physical phenomenon of dairying gives the researchers avenue and in-depth understanding on how this factor greatly influence the performance of imported dairy animals. Modification of physical factors must be done so that optimum milk production can be achieved.

This gender issue must be given attention for the benefit of the family, farm or business where women play as part of the system. Thus, gender studies related to Philippine agriculture particularly in the dairy industry has not yet materialized despite of its existence. Indeed, this research included this aspect for the sustaining role in dairy industry and part of human factor.

Figure 1. The conceptual model that interlinked

the performance of imported dairy cattle and thus system approach is required

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No nutrient availability and flow related study in the animal industry at the Philippine setting has been conducted. Thus, this research is envisioned using the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the role of nutrient and its contribution to the environment and how dairy stakeholders manage it. On the other hand, the important application of Information Communication Technology (ICTs) has been recognized, however, communication and access of information to the forefront of the dairy development is unknown, thus this research describes ICTs utilization and adoption of simulation model in improving the dairy industry in the Philippines. Thus, technical manipulation is a challenging work of animal researcher in order to obtain desired results and improve the animals’ performance. Thus, research regarding farmers’ practice should be evaluated so that technology matching can be well delivered. Animal researchers must have in-depth understanding of the gap of what is usually practiced at the farmers’ level before developing a technology so that technology cannot be wasted and properly channel with due respect to the levels of intellect, field and actual experiences, values and age.

Sustainable development of the Philippine dairy industry requires an interfacing of socio-economic and political will in augmenting dairy production due to its society driven problems and multifunctional benefits derived from animals to society. Most of the socio-economic studies are towards profiling but as to the extent of its “benefits” or as resultant of changes on the side of stakeholder has been neglected, thus this study evaluate both tangible or intangible contribution on this aspect. However, this research identified possible specific factors that may influence the performance of imported dairy animals under pilot areas.

Application of systems approach to animal sector is a big challenge for animal researchers as confronted with the complexity of factors that engulf animal production. This situation is a big challenge to amateur researchers in finding innovation to put systems approach as perspective in the research-extension-farmer process. As such this research employs feedback mechanism as “knowledge-based technology” that focuses on the results of the study and suggests possible intervention to stakeholders in order to avoid gap, be able to improve and illuminate their management practices and address issues and concerns affecting the dairy production system.

METHODOLOGY

This research was conducted from August 2004 to September 2005 at National Dairy Authority (NDA) pilot dairy cooperatives in Bukidnon, Cebu, and Davao del Sur as the experimental sites (Figure 2). These areas have varied physical and climatic condition, culture and background.

This study was conducted using a system approach (qualitative and quantitative analysis) in combination with Participatory Dairy Appraisal (PDA), Laboratory nutrient analysis of soil, forage and manure and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Purposive sampling was considered since the nature and existence of the immediate stakeholders over the span of time in the dispersal program. About 88% (55 out of 63) of the remaining primary immediate stakeholders’ beneficiaries were interviewed and were broken into: 16 out of 17 (94.12%) in Bukidnon, 20 out of 23 (86.96%) in Cebu and 19 out of 23 (82.61%) in Davao del Sur.

Figure 2. The research experimental sites of Cebu, Bukidnon and Davao del Sur

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Data Gathered

Figure 3 shows the system approach as methodology in generating data. The data gathered were the following:

a. Animal performance focus on production [milk production cow-1 day-1, peak months of milk production, lactation period and number of offspring animal-1] and reproduction [weaning period, first postpartum estrus manifestation and dry period] parameters. The data from the mentioned parameters have been transformed into performance indicators ratings for in-depth screening and interpretation.

b. Factors Affecting Animal Performance. Agro-meteorological data from 1990 to 2004 were gathered from the DOST-PAGASA at the respective provincial stations. On the other hand, other data such as land use, immediate stakeholder profile, immediate stakeholder gender role, immediate stakeholder’s experiences, levels of skills and technology, nutrient availability and flows, information and communication technology (ICT) application, dairy cooperative and policy, contribution of imported dairy cattle and even individual animal performances was done through PDA. Likert scales was used particularly in immediate stakeholder’s experiences, levels of skills and technology, dairy cooperative and policy, contribution of imported dairy cattle and even individual animal.

To strengthen the nutrient availability and flow, the onsite assessment and collection, and then laboratory analysis of soil (texture, pH, organic matter, phosphorous and potassium), forage and manure (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, dry matter, crude fiber and crude protein) samples were done in the months of August, October and December and laboratory analysis thereafter each month or when the samples were ready for analysis. Protocol during collection and laboratory analysis were also applied. On other hand, ICT application through simulation was conducted through the Dairy Cattle Simulation Model version 3.3. The data derived from interviews and nutrient analyses were used. The simulation study focused on the management [grazing (G) and zero-grazing (ZG) plus supplements (S)] as well as environmental [temperature regulation (TR) or macroclimate and thermo neutral zone (TNZ) or microclimate] conditions as commonly observed across the research area.

c. The FGD among immediate stakeholders’ was held in each Milk Collection Center. This involved the conduct of a pre-test, followed by the presentation of results including the issues and concerns in dairying after which an open forum ensued. The post-test was administered last. Statistical Model

Descriptive statistics, statistical model adopted to analyze the meteorological data and nutrient analysis: Yijk = μ + Fi + Mj + εijk where Yijk = total variation; μ = overall mean; Fi = federation area (i = 1, 2, 3), Mj = months of the year (j = 1 … n) and average data (meteorological and laboratory results of nutrients) (k = 1...n), and εijk = residual combination of ijk for. However, statistical model: Yij = μ + Fi + εij where Yij = total variation; μ = overall mean; Fi = federation area (i = 1, 2, 3) and data from dairy cooperatives per federation area (j = 1, 2, 3) and εij = residual combination of ij, was applied to determine the differences in factors affecting performance and the performance per se of the animal. Any significant differences were subjected to Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT).

Figure 3. The system approach as research

methodology

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On the other hand, correlation and Stepwise Regression Through the Origin (SRTO) were also employed to determine how much variation of interlinking factors influenced the overall performance of imported dairy cattle across experimental sites. The SRTO (z-score multiple regression) equation would be: Y’ = β1X1+β2X2+…+βiXi, where Y’= the predicted or estimated value of Y; βi = the standardized partial regression coefficient and Xi = the independent predictor variables (i = 1, 2, 3…).

FINDINGS

Performances of Imported Dairy Cattle at Immediate Stakeholders Level

“High” ratings were observed in the performance of imported dairy cattle based on the performance indicators of both productive and reproductive parameters as presented in Table 1. Highly significant differences (P<.01) between Bukidnon ( X =8.00li) and Cebu ( X =11.20li) or Davao del Sur ( X =10.16li) for “milk production” and significant differences for “peak months of milk production” and “number of offsprings produced” between Cebu ( X =4.10, X =6.50) and Bukidnon ( X =4.88, X =7.94) or Davao del Sur ( X =5.11, X =7.79). However, no significant differences were observed on the “lactation period”, “weaning period”, “first postpartum estrus manifestation” and “dry period”. These findings were slightly much higher than that reported by Perez et al. (2002ab) and which might be due to the different years of dairying among immediate stakeholders since this study focused on the primary recipients with almost 15 years experience. On the other hand, Molina (1991) pointed out that low productivity is mainly due to disease problems, which cause infertility, sickness and mortality among the dairy herds or (Moran, 2004) partly due to a lack of appropriate dairy research, socio-economic differences of small farmers, varied agro-economic conditions and lack of effective services of the most appropriate technology.

Table 1. Summary of performance of imported dairy cattle in the immediate stakeholders in Bukidnon, Cebu and Davao del Sur

PERFORMANCE PARAMETER BUKIDNON CEBU DAVAO DEL SUR

MEAN F-RATIO

PROBABILITY

C.V.

Milk production (li) 8.00a 11.20b 10.16b 9.91 4.51* 0.02 34.43

Peak months of milk production 4.88b 4.10a 5.11b 4.67 5.68** 0.01 22.58 Lactation period (mo) 11.06 10.45 12.11 11.20 1.55ns 0.22 26.64 Number of offsprings produced 7.94b 6.50a 7.79b 7.36 3.68* 0.03 25.52 Weaning period (mo) 7.06 6.40 6.63 6.67 0.32ns 0.73 36.83 First postpartum estrus

manifestation (mo)

3.13

3.95

4.11

3.76

1.88ns

0.16

42.77 Dry period (mo) 6.94 7.00 7.11 7.02 2.43ns 0.10 3.35

abRow means having different letters differ significantly (P<.05 DMRT). Ft2/52 = (0.05 = 3.18) and (0.01 = 5.06) ns = non-significant, * = significant and ** = highly significant

Parameters

Performance Indicators Very High

(3.51 to 4.50) High

(2.51 to 3.50) Moderate

(1.51 to 2.50) Low

(0.51 to 1.50) Daily milk production cow-1 lactation-1 (li) 16 to 20 11 to 15 6 to 10 1 to 5 Peak months of milk production 7 to 8 5 to 6 3 to 4 1 to 2 Lactation period in months 16 to 20 11 to 15 6 to 10 1 to 5 Number of offspring animal-1 10 to 12 7 to 9 4 to 6 1 to 3 Weaning period 1stwk 2ndwk to 5 mo 6 to 10 mo 11 to 15 mo First postpartum estrus manifestation (mo) 1 to 2 3 to 4 5 to 6 7 to 8 Dry period (stage of pregnancy) 7 to 8 mo 5 to 6 mo 3 to 4 mo 1 to 2mo

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Factors Affecting the Performance of Imported Dairy Cattle in Pilot Areas

Identified factors such as agro-ecological condition, land use, immediate stakeholder profile, immediate stakeholder gender role, immediate stakeholder’s experiences, levels of skills and technology, nutrient availability and flows, information and communication technology (ICT) application, dairy cooperative and policy, and contribution of imported dairy cattle affect directly and indirectly the performance of imported dairy cattle in the pilot areas of Bukidnon, Cebu and Davao del Sur.

Agro-climatic conditions of the respective provinces (Table 2) are beyond the thermo-neutral zone or comfort zone of imported dairy cattle led to mild to medium stress when this condition was subjected to the Temperature-Relative Humidity Index (THI) matrix developed by Wierama (1990).

Table 2. Average annual meteorological data of Bukidnon, Cebu and Davao del Sur from

1990 to 2004

METEOROLOGICAL DATA

PROVINCES F-RATIO

PROBABILITY

C.V.

Bukidnon Cebu Davao del Sur (%)

Rainfall (mm) 2668.47b 1643.31a 1719.81a 11.37** 0.00 2.43 Temperature (°C) 24.07a 28.02b 27.93b 625.09** 0.00 1.17 Relative humidity (%) 84.98c 80.98b 79.78a 64.60** 0.00 1.43 Wind velocity (kph) 4.36a 10.28c 7.32b 215.13** 0.00 9.56

abcMeans having different subscript letters differ significantly (P< DMRT 0.05). ** Highly significant (P<.01)

Decreasing land area (Figure 4) resulted in more time to source out forages from distant areas depriving other management’s needs of the dairy cattle. Devendra (1999) described dairying as a part of an integrated farming system whereby dairy animals are simultaneously raised with annual and perennial crops as well as other farm animals as also shown in this study.

Figure 4. Percentage distribution of immediate stakeholders in the provinces of Bukidnon, Cebu and

Davao del Sur based on the (a) total land area (in ha) and (b) improved pasture area (in ha)

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The declining strength and health

condition of immediate stakeholders with advance age reduced animal performance and hygiene (Figure 5). Freire (1992) suggested that proper knowledge of socio-cultural aspects of a community is necessary to motivate them in dairying. Thus, to substitute empirical technologies with more advanced ones are not only a technical issue, but it also raises anthropological, epistemological and structural issues. The technical approach of extension, without community interaction, generates an anaesthetized audience of farmers without critical reaction.

Dairying needs management involved gender specific activities due to required strength and stamina. Haugen and Brandth (1992) stressed that farming as an occupation is more often dominated by men which are also in consonance with this study (Figure 6). Although there were gender-specific activities in some provinces, the overall results in the household category pointed out that “both (wife and husband)” shared the activities depending on who has available time for that particular activity (Table 3). This finding is agreeable with Mollel et al. (1999) who reported that most of the activities were shared equally between sexes. Thus, a “role model” or “responsible parenting” was emphasized by the immediate stakeholders that “both (wife and husband)” perform the household and farm work task for the benefit of their growing children so that they can stand on their own when they grow older or in case of absence of parents.

Table 3. Gender roles of the immediate stakeholders with imported dairy cattle in Bukidnon, Cebu

and Davao del Sur

GENDER ROLE

BUKIDNON n = 16

CEBU n = 20

DAVAO DEL SUR n = 19

Usually performed

% Usually performed

% Usually performed

%

Household

Both

50.00

Both

44.09

Both

68.90

Dairy Cattle Husband 48.44 Wife 24.38 Husband 37.28

Dairy Cooperatives Husband 56.25 Wife 68.33 Husband 63.16

Gender Role

Husband

36.35

Wife

30.66

Both

37.67

Figure 5. Percentage distribution of immediate

stakeholders in the provinces of Bukidnon, Cebu and Davao del Sur based on the age group class

Figure 6. Percent and gender of the immediate

stakeholders in the provinces of Bukidnon, Cebu and Davao del Sur

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Immediate stakeholders experiences (Figure 7) can serve as a vehicle in sustaining dairy production. The degree of influence of the possible factors affecting the performance of imported dairy cattle as experienced by immediate stakeholders is presented in Table 4. The longer experiences and higher levels of skills application and technology adoption (Table 5) in dairying led to better performances of dairy cattle. Frank (1998) and Lawrence (1999) alerted RD&E in the necessity of interaction between environment and technology. Watts (1989) described the desirable roles of research, extension and farmers and emphasized that extension agents serve as major managers of technologies. Frank (1998) revealed that farmers have an adoption behavior in harmony with the environment, respecting the social and economical influences which mean that their angle of vision is wide and they see things not considered by RD&E.

Table 4. Elements affecting the performance of imported dairy cattle in Bukidnon, Cebu and Davao

del Sur as experienced by the immediate stakeholders

IMMEDIATE STAKEHOLDERS’ EXPERIENCES

PROVINCES TOTAL F-RATIO

PROBABILITY

C.V.

Bukidnon Cebu Davao del Sur

AWS

AWS AWS AWS n = 16 n = 20 n = 19

Extension related 4.84 4.91 4.92 4.89 0.39ns 0.74 2.43

Biophysical interaction 4.89 4.85 4.88 4.87 0.20ns 0.82 4.03

Stakeholders-animal interaction

4.86

4.87

4.88

4.87

0.08ns

0.92

2.29

Socio-economic 3.48 3.55 3.51 3.51 0.34ns 0.71 7.60

Policy related 3.20 3.18 3.18 3.19 0.07ns 0.94 7.12

Immediate stakeholders’ experiences

4.27

4.27

4.28

4.27

0.05ns

0.95

2.06

Ft2/52 = (0.05 = 3.18) and (0.01 = 5.06) ns = non-significant and * = significant (P<.05) Legend: Range Description

4.51 to 5.50 highly influenced 3.51 to 4.50 moderately influenced 2.51 to 3.50 least influenced 1.51 to 2.50 undecided 0.51 to 1.50 never influenced

Figure 7. Percent and years of the dairying of the immediate stakeholders in the provinces of Bukidnon, Cebu and Davao del Sur

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Table 5. Levels of skills and technology applied and adopted by the immediate stakeholders in the provinces of Bukidnon, Cebu and Davao del Sur

IMMEDIATE STAKEHOLDERS’ EXPERIENCES

PROVINCES TOTAL F-RATIO

PROBABILITY

C.V.

Bukidnon Cebu Davao del Sur

AWS

AWS AWS AWS n = 16 n = 20 n = 19

Milk processing 4.84 4.89 4.83 4.85 0.29ns 0.75 5.35 Management practices 4.74 4.88 4.89 4.84 2.72ns 0.08 4.47 Breeding and Genetics 4.80 4.62 4.68 4.70 1.92ns 0.16 6.13 Health management

welfare

4.80b

4.39a

4.74b

4.64

6.87**

0.00

8.71 Biotechnology adoption 4.56 4.60 4.68 4.61 0.57 ns 0.57 7.50 Nutrition 4.58b 4.27a 4.69b 4.51 8.03** 0.00 8.52 Other practices 4.15b 2.00a 3.37b 3.17 8.33** 0.01 39.11 Environmental control 2.76a 3.19b 2.88ab 2.94 5.53** 0.00 14.69

Levels of skills and technology

4.36

4.20

4.32

4.29

1.90 ns

0.16

8.41

ab Means having different subscript letters differ significantly (P< DMRT 0.05). Ft2/52 = (0.05 = 3.18) and (0.01 = 5.06) ns = non-significant, * = significant (P<.05) and ** = highly significant (P<.01)

Legend: Range Description Range Description

4.51 to 5.50 very high 1.51 to 2.50 low 3.51 to 4.50 high 0.51 to 1.50 very low 2.51 to 3.50 moderate

Erratic monthly availability of nutrients (Table 6) derived from soil, forages, and manure accompanied with nutrient flow imbalances either depletion from where the nutrient (off-farm feeds) is derived from and excess where the nutrients (feeds and manure/urine) were brought in and accumulated caused fluctuation of dairy cattle performance (Figure 8). Little and Edwards (2003) reported that geographical imbalances of nutrient distribution occurs whereby large amounts of nutrients are imported into industrial regions and at the same time, spend large amounts of money to avoid eutrophication. In contrast, developing areas which sometimes are the original source of the nutrients are becoming nutrient-depleted. This situation of nutrient imbalances which is sometimes ignored is not limited in the global context but also occur in the domestic geographical condition as exhibited in this study thus, needs attention.

Figure 8. The qualitative model on the scenario of nutrient

flows in dairy production systems under immediate stakeholders’ level

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Table 6. Nutrients availability and changes derived from soil, forages, and manure in the province of Bukidnon, Cebu and Davao del Sur

PARAMETERS PROVINCES MONTHS CHANGES

Bukidnon Cebu Davao del Sur

August October December August to October

October to December

Soil pH 4.71a 6.62b 6.39b 5.53a 6.30b 5.88ab 0.77 -0.42 organic matter (%) 3.38b 0.95a 3.58b 2.88 2.77 2.27 -0.11 -0.50 phosphorous (ppm) 7.36a 12.83a 68.09b 32.12 30.50 25.67 -1.62 -4.83 potassium (ppm) 84.83a 27.00a 537.50b 306.00 191.33 152.00 -114.67 -39.33

Forages nitrogen (%) 2.51 1.74 2.10 1.94 1.89 2.52 -0.05 0.63 phosphorus (%) 0.69 1.04 0.89 2.06b 0.28a 0.28a -1.78 -0.01 potassium (%) 2.53 2.15 2.48 3.08b 1.83a 2.25ab -1.25 0.42 dry matter (%) 75.81 68.22 81.29 89.08b 82.17b 54.06a -6.91 -28.11 crude fiber (%) 30.67 33.83 31.11 27.50a 22.67a 45.45b -4.83 22.78 crude protein (%) 15.65 10.89 13.10 12.10 11.79 15.75 -0.31 3.95

Manure nitrogen (%) 1.81 1.76 1.79 1.42a 1.84ab 2.10b 0.42 0.26 phosphorus (%) 0.80 1.24 0.88 1.92b 0.45a 0.55a -1.47 0.10 potassium (%) 1.04 0.85 1.69 1.66 0.90 1.03 -0.76 0.13 dry matter (%) 70.18 64.27 66.28 88.08b 70.07b 42.58a -18.02 -27.49 crude fiber (%) 32.67 27.83 29.98 28.00ab 24.58a 37.90b -3.42 13.32 crude protein (%) 11.31 10.79 11.15 8.86a 11.45ab 12.94b 2.60 1.49

abcMeans having different letters differ significantly (P< DMRT .05).

Information and

Communication Technology (ICT) application serve as referral system among immediate stakeholders and technicians (Figure 9). ICT application through simulation provided better understanding of management strategies and innovations to improve dairy cattle performances. Simulation studies revealed that months from January to April were critical for calving as well as for milk production since the ambient temperature was high and accompanied by limited rainfall resulting to scarce and poor quality of forages eventual to lower DMI (Figure 10). Among the three provinces, Davao del Sur was the most potential for dairy industry based on simulated management and environmental condition (Figure 11). As such Zero-Grazing + Supplements was the ideal

Figure 9. The evolution of imported dairy cattle referral

system among immediate stakeholders and technicians, where (a) referral is risk and hassle in meeting the National Dairy Authority (NDA) technician, (b) animal problems referred to Cooperative Dairy Technician (CDTs) then NDA technician if problems are grave, (c) referral is channelled thru ICTs (mobile technology) and then the technician will settle later.

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management and putting the dairy cattle’ into its thermo neutral zone is the most beneficial for the dairy industry in the tropics. This explains that inadequate forages for grazing during dry season or limited rains, average daily milk production did not peak after calving and showed poor persistency throughout the lactation even with supplements. This scenario was also observed by Epaphras et al. (2004) with crossbred Ayrshire cows reared under coastal tropical climate in Tanzania.

Dairy cooperative serves as gateways of inputs and outputs necessary for better performance of dairy cattle, thus policy should be strengthen (Table 7). Leaders of local

a. Bukidnon

b. Cebu

c. Davao del Sur

Figure 10. Simulated dry matter intake (DMI) and lactation curve of the dairy animal under grazing (G) and zero-grazing (ZG) plus supplements (S) subjective to temperature regulation (TR) and thermo neutral zone (TNZ)

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Table 7. Strength and weaknesses of dairy cooperative policy in Bukidnon, Cebu and Davao del Sur

Ft2/52 = (0.05 = 3.18) and (0.01 = 5.06) ns = non-significant

Legend: Range Description Range Description

3.51 to 4.50 strong 1.51 to 2.50 weak 2.51 to 3.50 moderate 0.51 to 1.50 undecided

Figure 11. Simulated milk yield of the dairy animal under grazing (G) and zero-

grazing (ZG) plus supplements (S) subjective to temperature regulation (TR) and thermo neutral zone (TNZ) within 305 days lactation period from January to October

COOPERATIVE POLICY

PROVINCES TOTAL

AWS RANK F-

RATIO PROBA BILITY

C.V.

Bukidnon Cebu Davao del Sur

AWS AWS AWS n = 16 n = 20 n = 19

Declaration of cooperative policy 3.94 3.95 3.95 3.95 4 0.01ns 0.99 5.81 Responsibilities, rights and privileges of

members

3.94

3.95

3.95

3.95

4 0.01ns 0.99

5.81 Honorarium of the cooperative board 3.94 3.95 3.95 3.95 4 0.01ns 0.99 5.81 Profit-sharing agreement of members 3.94 3.95 3.95 3.95 4 0.01ns 0.99 5.81 Benefits and incentives of cooperative

members

3.94

3.95

3.95

3.95

4 0.01ns 0.99 5.81

Training of members 3.94 3.95 3.95 3.95 4 0.01ns 0.99 5.81 Role in the federation 3.94 3.95 3.95 3.95 4 0.01ns 0.99 5.81 Objectives of the cooperatives 3.94 3.90 3.95 3.93 8 0.17ns 0.84 6.67 Qualification of members 3.88 3.90 3.89 3.89 10 0.03ns 0.97 8.09 Power and functions of cooperative board 3.88 3.90 3.89 3.89 10 0.02ns 0.98 9.95 Transparency of policies 3.88 3.90 3.89 3.89 10 0.03ns 0.97 8.07 Transparency of financial statement 3.81 3.85 3.84 3.83 12 0.05ns 0.16 9.73 Members contribution 2.88 2.90 2.89 2.89 13 0.01ns 0.99 15.86 Credit agreement 2.94 2.75 2.84 2.84 14 0.47ns 0.63 20.09 Prohibition and penalty 2.31 2.30 2.37 2.33 15 0.08ns 0.92 23.47 Structure and organization of

cooperatives

2.31

2.30

2.32

2.31

16 0.00ns 0.99

24.83

Total average 3.59 3.58 3.60 3.59 0.024ns 0.98 4.62

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organizations have a comprehensive understanding of the existing strengths and weaknesses in their own organizations and are exceptionally open in trying new management and planning mechanisms for development (Warren, 1992)

On the other hand, the contribution (tangible and intangible) of imported dairy cattle showed synergism in both immediate stakeholders and dairy cattle (Table 8). This finding is in line with the idea of Agarcio et al. (1988) that technology should not be measured by tangible items but rather by other aspects.

Table 8. The extent of intangible contribution of imported dairy cattle among the immediate stakeholders in Bukidnon, Cebu and Davao del Sur

IMMEDIATE

STAKEHOLDERS’ EXPERIENCES

PROVINCES TOTAL F-RATIO PROBABILITY

C.V.

Bukidnon Cebu Davao del Sur

AWS

AWS AWS AWS n = 16 n = 20 n = 19

You and Your Family 3.89 3.91 3.92 3.91 0.08ns 0.93 5.62 Dairy Cooperative and

Federation

3.72

3.75

3.74

3.74

0.08ns

0.92

6.21 National Dairy Authority

Objectives

3.67

3.72

3.70

3.69

0.28ns

0.76

5.92 Extent of intangible

contribution of imported dairy cattle

3.76

3.79

3.79

3.78

0.14ns

0.87

5.43

Ft2/52 = (0.05 = 3.18) and (0.01 = 5.06) ns = non-significant

Legend: Range Description Range Description

3.51 to 4.50 high 1.51 to 2.50 low 2.51 to 3.50 moderate 0.51 to 1.50 undecided

Independent Variables that Significantly Influence the Overall Performances of Imported Dairy Cattle

Y’(overall performance of imported dairy cattle) = 0.97 (X1 time of feeding) + 0.17 (X2 formulating ration) + 0.18 (X3 member contribution) + 0.19 (X4 bathing of animal during hot weather) + -0.16 (X5 off-farm occupation) + -0.05 (X6 biogas application) + -0.39 (X7 educational levels) + 0.11 (X8 gender) + 0.09 (X9 structure and organization of the cooperative) + 0.07 (X10 monthly milk income) + 0.11 (X11 usually assisting technician) + -0.53 (X12 housing and shade provision) + 0.13 (X13 waste management) + -0.03 (X14 giving of feed) + 0.19 (X15 selection for replacement) + -0.11 (X16 prohibition and penalty) + 0.46 (X17 milking practices) + 0.12 (X18 household members) + 0.02 (X19 improve grass species) + 0.37 (X20 heat stress) + -0.18 (X21 CMU training) + 0.27 (X22 ICT utilization) + -0.22 (X23 caretaker behavior) + 0.06 (X24 ethnic values and practices) + -0.17 (X25 rainy days). R2 value (1.00) from the 25-predcitor variables responsible for the 100.00% variation in the overall performance of imported dairy cattle at immediate stakeholders in pilot areas of Bukidnon, Cebu and Davao del Sur. This emphasizes that time of feeding affects the feed intake and must be adjusted according to the climatic condition as

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experienced by NRC (2001), Lee (2003) and West et al. (2003) and other authors. This result from regression analysis supports the studies by Kurihara (2003), Kurihara and Shioya (2003) and others authors on the importance of regulating temperature in the hot climate conditions where dairy animals are raised too.

Understanding the Performance of Imported Dairy Cattle

The levels of understanding at 15.48% (pre-test: 70.77% versus post-test: 86.25%) emphasized that immediate stakeholders recognized the identified variables that significantly contributed to the performance of imported dairy cattle considering their experiences in dairying and were confirmed after the deliberation of results of the study. Issues and concerns were identified such as payment scheme of milk remittances, discontinuity of dairying within the family members, payment scheme of heifers, area as source of forages, age and health of the beneficiary, the presence of Quendancor, price of milk, dairy advocacy, mass media promotion, number of dairy animal per beneficiary, supply of feeds and mineral, semen for artificial insemination availability of multi-pasture species.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECCOMENDATIONS

Highly significant differences (P<.01) were observed in “milk production” and significant differences for “peak months of milk production” and “number of offsprings produced” between and among provinces. However, no significant differences were observed on the “lactation period”, “weaning period”, “first postpartum estrus manifestation” and “dry period”.

Identified factors such as agro-ecological condition, land use, immediate stakeholder profile, immediate stakeholder gender role, immediate stakeholder’s experiences, levels of skills and technology, nutrient availability and flows, information and communication technology (ICT) application, dairy cooperative and policy, and contribution of imported dairy cattle affect directly and indirectly the performance of imported dairy cattle in the pilot areas of Bukidnon, Cebu and Davao del Sur. Twenty-five predictor variables were responsible for the 100.00% variation in the overall performance of imported dairy cattle.

The levels of understanding increased by 15.48% and issues and concerns were identified after the focus group discussion was deliberated.

Thus, performance of imported dairy cattle serves as indicator as how much knowledge was derived from either informal or formal education had been applied, adopted, practiced and innovated by the immediate stakeholders, the dairy cooperatives’ as well as the National Dairy Authority as part of the Philippine dairy system hierarchy. Indeed, physical (agro-climatic condition, land use), human (immediate stakeholder profile, gender, experiences), technical (levels of skills and technology, nutrient availability and flow, ICT application), socio economic/political (dairy cooperative and its policy, contribution of imported dairy cattle) and biological (individual animal production and reproduction performance) interaction influences the performance of imported dairy cattle, hence modalities must be applied on farm to farm basis.

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