Once again, the significant role of science and technology (S&T) in the animal industry was highlighted during the 59th Scientific Meeting and Annual Convention of the Philippine Society of Animal Science (PSAS), hosted by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) on October 19-20.
Said event featured plenary and parallel sessions, which are anchored on the theme: “Inclusive Growth of the Livestock and Poultry Industry through Future-ready S&T Innovations”.
Plenary speakers included Dr. Claro Mingala for the topic “Innovative Livestock Tools for Inclusive Growth”, Dr. Noel Lumbo for the topic “Innovative Energy and Protein Substitutes for Swine and Poultry Diets”, and Dr. Ramon Maluping for the topic “Understanding the use of bacteriophage to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance”.
In his message as the Convention Chair, DA-PCC Deputy Executive Director Dr. Caro Salces said that scientific paper presentation is the lifeblood of PSAS and that the latter is the society of choice for the researchers, extension workers, and industry key players in the livestock and poultry sector.
Meanwhile, the parallel sessions featured competing scientific papers in various categories. The winning papers include the following:
• Socio-economics category – “Measuring Economic Efficiency of Dairy Buffalo Farms in Nueva Ecija Using Data Envelopment Analysis” presented by Dr. Eric Palacpac
• Breeding and genetics category – “Development of Selection Indexes for Milk Production Traits in Dairy Goats in the Philippines” presented by Dr. Nora Cabaral-Lasaca
• Biotechnology category – “Evaluation of the Cryopreservation Protocol for the Blood Primordial Germ Cells (bPGCS) from Gallus gallus domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758)” presented by Dr. Sarah Micah Dalisay
• Nutrition category – “Effect of Digestible Lysine to Metabolizable Energy Ratio on Growth Performance, Nitrogen and Energy Balance in Improved Philippine Mallard Ducks (ItikPINAS) from 0 to 8 Weeks of Age” presented by Dr. Julie Ross Datuin
• Disease and diagnostics category – “Persistence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella in Native Chickens: A Sustainability Challenge in the Free-range Production System” presented by Dr. Lotis Balala
• Production and processing category – “Growth and Sexual Maturity Performance of Crossbred Doe Kids Fed with Different Sources and Levels of Dietary Protein” presented by Dr. Adelia G. Putri
• Undergraduate thesis – “Genotypic Analysis of Kappa-Casein, Beta-Casein and Beta-Lactoglobulin Polymorphisms in Siquijor Native Cattle and Sahiwal x Holstein Hybrid Cattle Stocks in the Philippines” presented by Luis Alfonso Pefianco
Business meeting was also held, which updated the members on the current status of the society through the president’s report and financial report. Induction of new regular PSAS members and online election of new PSAS officers followed.
Newly elected officers include Dr. Claro Mingala as vice president, Dr. Maria Cynthia Oliveros as secretary, Dr. Ione Sarmago as treasurer, and Dr. Noel Lumbo as auditor.
Meanwhile, new PSAS governing council members include Dr. Undine Hurtada-Quimio, Prof. Julie Ross Datuin, Dr. Mary Joy Cañolas, Dr. Manuel Gacutan Jr., and Dr. Paul Limson.
Outgoing PSAS President Dr. Jesus Antonio G. Derije handed over the gavel (symbol of authority) to Dr. Salces through a short ceremony proclaiming that he will hold the duties and responsibilities as the new head of the organization from 2022-2023.
Some 55 new regular members pledged an oath to share an effort in learning and engaging with the overall activities of the society. It signifies that PSAS shall continue to spread the value of S&T to the R&D community and to the animal industry.
“Let us never forget to contribute ideas and skills as it is not just about serving the economy and preventing health risks anymore. It deals with redesigning our roles as effective partners of policymakers and key decision-makers. Let us aim to be better than who we are than yesterday,” Dr. De Jesus underscored.
Next year, the 60th PSAS convention will be held in Bohol, hoping to have face-to-face interaction among its members.
