Written by: Ching Lumanta

The South Luzon Department of the National Dairy Authority (NDA) conducted a Forum for its Dairy Multiplier Farm (DMF) partners in the CALABARZON Region who might be interested in the production of dairy animals through Embryo Transfer (ET) technology. The forum was held on 07 November 2016 at the Southern Tagalog Integrated Agricultural Research Center, Lipa City.

The GENEX Biotech Group, the service provider for embryo transfer, through its representatives Mr. Federico Krause, Managing Director, and Alfonso Serrano, a Veterinarian from Colombia discussed the benefits of using the ET technology.  They are scouting surrogate dams to which these embryos could be transferred. Girolando breed semen will be used in the project. If the ET is successful, only female calves will be considered.  NDA pays the service provider an amount of P35,000 for every F1’s produced. Farmers can opt to buy the calf.

The service provider also informed the DMF partners of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the breed that are suited in the tropics. Non-dairy animals can also be used as surrogates provided that these animals  reach  a body score of 3.5 to 4 BCS .

Five (5) DMF partners submitted their intention to join the program. They are: Mr. Danilo H. Magpantay of SAMACO; Mr. Jose E. Tapay of Sta. Maria Dairy Farm; Mr. Carlo Tapia of Fidelidad Dairy Farm; Mr. Ramon T. Balotoc of R. Balotoc’s Farm and Mr. Dennis Castasus of YGGATCHAI Dairy Farm.

Another meeting will be held for the discussion of the terms and condition and for the final signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).