The Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) reported on Monday a groundbreaking achievement in crossbreeding buffalo that produced the highest milk yield in the Philippines.
Crossbred buffalo codenamed 7UP15001 yielded 3,883.7 kilograms of milk over a 299-day lactation period, surpassing the typical lactation period and average daily milk yield for both dairy buffalo and cattle.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) attributed the achievement to PCC’s Genetic Improvement Program (GIP), specifically backcrossing to enhance milk production in carabaos. It said 7UP15001 is 87.5-percent Bulgarian Murrah and 12.5-percent swamp buffalo.
Backcrossing involves mating purebred riverine buffaloes with native carabaos.
The resulting offspring (F1) are then mated with purebred bulls to increase riverine blood percentage (F2, F3, F4). PCC avoids inbreeding depression through this approach.
Crossbred carabaos grow faster and produce significantly more milk than native carabaos. Backcrossing with purebred Murrah further increases milk yield, the PCC said.
The increased productivity translates to higher income potential for small-scale farmers, boosting their financial situation.
The PCC said it focuses on breeding animals adaptable to the Philippine climate with minimal resource requirements.
GIP national coordinator Ester Flores emphasizes the continuous effort behind this achievement. It involves selective breeding, genetic evaluation, data recording and semen cryobanking.
PCC supervising science research specialist Jesus Rommel Herrera said that even with good genetics, proper management and feeding are crucial for maximizing milk production.
The PCC utilizes artificial insemination and bull entrustment programs to spread these genetic improvements across the country.
The process promotes carabaos as a valuable source of milk, meat, draft power and hide.