Success Story

University of Wisconsin Madison, Land O'Lakes and Philppines dairy farmers demonstrate and discuss proper breeding techniques in Camarines Sur

Photographer: University of Wisconsin Madison Dr. Martin Sieber

“I am so grateful to get this technical assistance from Land O’Lakes and University of Wisconsin and for providing this wonderful learning opportunity to me and my fellow faculty members and most of all to our students. May it be our first step to progress considering our situation here. We are looking forward to learn more in the future about new topics in dairy breeding and extension services from these experts.” Arante M Estrada – Instructor, Animal Science department, Mindanao State University Lanao Del Norte Agricultural College, Ramain, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao Del Norte province, Philippines

As part of Philippines Food for Progress project Land O’Lakes Inc has hired The Babcock Institute for International Dairy Research and Development, University of Wisconsin Madison (UWM) as a sub contractor to deliver technical assistance to Philippines dairy co-operatives, National Dairy Authority (NDA) and three Agricultural colleges in the areas of dairy cows’ breeding, milk quality control systems and dairy extension services.

A team of two dairy technical specialists from UWM visited Philippines in December 2007 and conducted technical seminars and meetings about best practices and technical developments in dairy cows’ breeding with local dairy co-operatives, farmers, Dairy Confederation of Philippines, National Dairy Authority and with the faculty and students of Camarines Sur State Agricultural College (CSSAC), Mindanao State University Lanao Del Norte Agricultural College (MSU – LNAC) and University of Philippines Los Banos Dairy Training and Research Institute (UPLB – DTRI).

Total numbers of beneficiaries from this TA are 333 which consist of 73 dairy farmers and practitioners, 21 faculty members and 239 students of three local agricultural colleges.

Following are the comments from some of the recipients of this TA.

“It was a great learning experience for me and other dairy breeding and extension staff at NDA to get an update about advanced technical developments in the areas of progeny testing, embryo transfer and other topics related to dairy herd improvement and growth. This TA will allow us to improve our technical skills to deliver the services to Philippines dairy farmers in a more effective manner. Thank you Land O’Lakes and University of Wisconsin team.” Andrew Agato, Artificial insemination specialist National Dairy Authority, Department of Agriculture, Philippines

“Our dairy farmer members will be able to successfully grow their herd and will be more profitable as a result of this technical support program from Land O’Lakes and University of Wisconsin for our dairy breeding and herd management.” Angeles Asay – Chairman, Pili dairy Development Co-operative, Camarines Sur province, Philippines

“It was really worth everyone’s time to attend this very informative dairy breeding workshop from University of Wisconsin’s breeding specialists. Thanks” – Dr Jorge S Villamil, Dean and Associate Professor PAC Institute of Veterinary medicine and zootechnics, Magalang, Pamapanga, Philippines

“Our team really liked the technical support we got from this TA program. We hope Land O’Lakes will send these specialists again to fix the breeding and herd management systems at our dairy farms.” – Abdullah Dimaporo – Lanao Farms, Lanao Del Norte province, Philippines