Thesis (BS Agribusiness) - Mariano Marcos State University

ABSTRACT MURCIA, CRISTINA. 2019. Production Practices of Feedlot Cattle Micro Enterprise in the City of Batac, Ilocos Norte. Undergraduate Thesis. College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development. Mariano Marcos State University, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte. 2906.70 pp. Adviser: Mrs. Ethel Reynda M. Calivoso The study was conducted to assess the production practices of feedlot cattle micro enterprise in the City of Balac, Tlocos Norte. Specifically, it attempted to determine the respondents' socio-demographic profile, farm-economic profile, level of the respondent's knowledge in raising beef cattle, production practices, the problems encountered by the beef cattle raisers and the relationship between the respondents' socio-demographic profile, farm-economic profile, knowledge level and production practices. The respondents were all from the City of Batac, Ilocos Norte, particularly in the barangays of Tabug, Baay, and Sumader. They were interviewed using an interview schedule asking their profile, knowledge level, production practices, and the problems encountered in raising cattle. The data gathered showed that the raisers were generally middle-aged with a mean age of 52. Majority of the raisers were males with a family size ranging from 4- 7 members. Most of the respondents had undergone formal schooling. Also, majority were married. Furthermore, their primary source of income was farming, while secondary sources include different activities such as farming, business, employee and non-farming activities. With regard to the level of knowledge, they had high level of knowledge on breeding, feeding, health and herd management practices. In short they bad high knowledge on raising cattle since their source of information came from their own experience. The production practices of the respondents like breeding, feeding, health and herd management were also discussed in the study. With regard to the breeds of animal raised, majority of the respondents raised crossbred while few raised Philippine beef cattle. As for the breeding method used, natural mating and artificial insemination were practiced. Moreover, most of the respondents have practiced recording the the other hand, majority of the respondents have practiced gestation period. recording the estrus cycle and monitoring the occurrence of heat period. However, multiple responses were given regarding the criteria in selecting breeder stocks (heifer), these are the following: reproductive capacity, good body conformation good mothering capability. Meanwhile, respondents considered the following sign of estrus: female stands still when mounted, swelling of the vulva and restlessness. With regard to the feeding management, the tethering, cut-and-carry and combination of tethering and cut-and-carry were used as a feeding method. Furthermore, rice straw, corn stover and ipil-ipil were used as a feed resource for their beef cattle. Meanwhile, the following sum up the result of the health and herd management practices. Multiple responses were given as reasons for employing proper sanitation/health management like keeping animal shelters clean, avoid the entry of diseases, making the animal comfortable, maintaining the health status of the animal, keeping strange animals away and making safe pasture. All the respondents practiced deworming of their animals. Most of the respondents considered vitamin provision. On the other hand, consulting to a veterinarian and providing house/shelter for beef cattle were also practiced. Furthermore, all of the respondents practiced monitoring the calving interval. However, all of the respondents do not practice dehorning and only few had practice castration. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis showed that four variables were significantly related with the production practices of the beef cattle raisers. These are: age, educational attainment, annual income and area planted. Indeed, many of the raisers do not consider the importance of practicing the appropriate management practices because some of them are just contented on what they already know. The result of the study implies that the cattle raisers of the City of Batac lack of trainings/seminars on cattle raising. It was revealed that beef cattle production is confronted with several problems like inefficient breeding techniques, inadequate feed supply, and lack of adequate technical support in the form of extension services from the government.