Artificial Insemination yields twin calves
AI twin calves. Mr. Ireneo Naparato of Brgy. Mat-y,
Miag-ao, Iloilo shows his F1 cow together with her
seventh month old twin calves.
"I am grateful that the artificial insemination (AI) program of the Department of Agriculture gave me twin upgraded calves," said Mr. Ireneo Naparato, 74 years old, of Brgy. Mat-y, Miag-ao, Iloilo after his F1 cow give birth last March 6, 2006.
Mr. Naparato was raising cattle and carabao since he was a child. He used the animals in tilling his two hectares farmland planted with rice and corn. He was very thankful that at this time of his life, he was able to have twin upgraded calves – one male and one female.
According to Mr. Cyrus Depamaylo, the Provincial AI technician assigned in Miag-ao, the mother of the twins was also product of AI program from the crosses of native cow and Bulgarian Murrah Buffalo semen thus resulting to F1. bred.
"The twin was the fourth delivery of the F1 mother. The first offspring which was three years old was sold by Mr. Naparato for P30, 000.00 at the San Joaquin Livestock Oksyon Market.
"Ako naga-kumbensir gid sa parehas ko nga mga nagasagod sang baka nga mag -angkon man sang serbisyo sang AI agud mapataas naton ang kalidad sang aton kasapatan" (I am encouraging my fellow livestock farmers to avail the services of artificial insemination program in order to upgrade our cattle and carabaos) Mang Ireneo stressed.
The twin calves were treated with iron on two to three (2-3) ml dose per head while the mother was given multivitamins four days after giving birth. Today, the calves are seven month old and displays upgraded qualities such as fast growth, and big body structure among others.
Mang Ireneo first knew the AI services from Mr. Juanito Palacios and Mr. Benjamin Nuevaespaña both provincial livestock technicians who introduced the program to the municipality of Miag-ao on the late 80's. They taught Mang Ireneo on the signs of "heat" among cattles in order to have proper timing of the AI services. Since then, Mang Ireneo constantly watch signs of "heating" period such as reluctant to move, raise tail, allows other cows to climb on her back and mucus discharge. When this signs is present he immediately inform the AI technician and avail of the program.
Mr. Naparato has able send his seven children to school out of his income in cattle raising. One of his children was able to earn a degree on education.
Mr. Manuel Porque the Regional AI coordinator said that the birth of twin calves is a breakthrough of the AI program in the region. This is concrete evidence that AI program is effective in upgrading the native stocks and can counter apprehensions that AI services can result to death of death of female cows.
"We need to upgrade our native stocks in order to have quality animals really suited for work, meat and even milking purposes," added Mr. Porque.
Likewise, Mr. Noel Bautista, Chief, Provincial Livestock Division is grateful with the result of twin calfdrop in Miag-ao, Iloilo. He said that the province of Iloilo AI program has serviced 323 cattles and 150 carabaos and has produced 52 cattles offspring and 16 carabao offspring from January to September this year.
"The Provincial government of Iloilo is supportive of the AI program because through this program our livestock farmers can demand higher price for their upgraded animals," said Mr. Bautista.
(JEEO/RAFID 6)