Hi-tech application in feeding cows brings efficiency

Feeding hi-tech application cows is the right direction, suitable, promoting strengths in border district of Duc Hue of Long An province. The application of techniques in cattle breeding such as nutritional supplementation in food, artificial insemination has gradually improved the stature and quality of cows.

Cow herd of Mr. Nguyen Van Ninh in Binh Hoa Bac commune

Changing breeding habits

Before the issuance of Resolution No. 08, dated March 4, 2016 of the Executive Committee of the Provincial Party Committee on Agricultural Development  associated with the restructuring of the agricultural sector, and cattle husbandry in mainly small areas, following tradition. On the other hand, the local breed has small stature, inseminated by traditional methods, the application of insemination is not much, so the quality of the seed is low.

Nutrition for cows mainly makes use of available food such as straw and grass, so the cow grows slowly, economic efficiency is not high. Cattle-breeding households have not paid attention to investing in equipment, facilities and barns, and applying science and technology in livestock production.

On that basis, the Executive Committee of Duc Hue District Party Committee developed the Action Program No. 16, dated June 14, 2017 on building a concentrated beef cattle breeding area in the district for the period 2017-2020. Then, the District People's Committee continues to develop a plan for centralized beef cattle raising areas for risk reduction and implementation goals for each year.

In order to create a high consensus among people about raising beef cattle, departments, sectors, and unions promote propaganda. "The propaganda must be analyzed for people to understand, raising cattle is the right direction, in accordance with the strengths of the locality, will create high added value for the people" - Head of Division of Agriculture and Rural Development - Pham Van Luoc said.

Specialized sectors, the locality has organized tours, learning about effective livestock models in many neighboring provinces and organized many training courses on breeding cows. Since then, union members, members pioneered the implementation of pilot models, established livestock breeding clubs for household economic development.

After the period of building the Australian beef cattle breeding area, up to now, Duc Hue district has deployed and implemented in 7 communes of My Thanh Dong, Binh Hoa Bac, My Binh, My Thanh Bac, My Thanh Tay, My Quy Tay and My Quy Dong.

Improving the quality of cow herds and farmers’ income 

Up to now, Duc Hue district has established 4 models of breeding hi-tech application  cows of the province in communes of My Quy Tay, My Quy Dong, My Thanh Bac, Binh Hoa Bac; 12 cooperative groups with nearly 170 participants and 1 Tay Hoa cooperative; Nearly 2,500 cows were inseminated and nearly 1,000 cows were born. In addition, the locality has built nearly 60 models of growing high-yielding grass for cow's food with an area of nearly 9 hectares and supported 4 biogas models to treat waste.

The application of techniques in animal husbandry such as nutritional supplementation in cow's feed, artificial insemination has gradually improved the breed of cows, calves born with higher stature and weight. Livestock households participate in the models step by step applying mechanization, growing high-nutrient grass and treating livestock wastes, maintaining environmental sanitation.

Chairman of the People's Committee of My Quy Dong commune - Truong Thi Thu Trang said: “Breeding hi-tech application cows is the right direction, bringing high efficiency, contributing to increase profits for farmers. It is believed that applying this breeding method will continue to develop, contribute to improving people's income and life in the coming time”.

Through research, Tay Hoa cooperative has very positive signals when the number of cows that are sowed with high quality is increasing. Currently, the cooperative has 32 members raising nearly 200 cows (including more than 100 cows). Typically, Mr. Nguyen Van Ninh - a member of the cooperative, has invested in building a suitable barn to raise cattle. The barn has automatic drinking troughs, the waste is treated through a system to ensure environmental sanitation.

Stature and quality of cows in Duc Hue district are gradually improved

Mr. Ninh also pays attention to feed sources for cows by choosing to grow high quality and yield grass varieties. Currently he has 1 hectares for growing grass. In order to produce big, strong, and meaty cows, his herds were artificially inseminated with good breeds. During the breeding process, he vaccinated cows for all kinds of diseases in accordance with the procedures and instructions.

“Over the past time, I have sold some with the average price of 20 million VND per animal. At present, the herd of cows at the barn 24 cows, of which 15 are reproducing, is developing very well, promising to bring high economic value”- Mr. Ninh believed.

To develop the strengths of agriculture in the locality, the Resolution of the Congress of the Party Committee of Duc Hue district, the term 2020-2025, sets out a breakthrough program that is to develop agriculture with lemon tree and cow. The target set out, the total herd of cows by the end of the term is 9,000 cows, of which the risk assessment is 50 percent./.

The application of techniques in animal husbandry such as nutritional supplementation in cow's feed, artificial insemination has gradually improved the breed of cows, calves born with higher stature and weight. Resolution of the term 2020-2025 of Duc Hue district sets the target, the total herd of cows by the end of the term is 9,000 cows, of which the application of high technology reaches 50 percent.