AIMING FOR A LARGER GOAL IN BUFFALO DAIRYING

At his age of 62, Lodivico Guieb, Sr. of Ayos Lomboy in Guimba, Nueva Ecija is still enthusiastic in dairy farming. He still aims to achieve his goal of having a larger herd. He already has 51 dairy buffaloes, among them are two bulls, 10 lactating ones and the rest are calves.

Aside from the buffaloes, he also tends 15 cattle, 12 goats, 10 sheep, chickens, ducks, and some native pigs in his farm.

His big interest in rearing dairy buffaloes was fanned by his experience of collecting 13 liters of milk daily from one buffalo some years back. That time, he even experienced waiting for three years before the animal he was tending became pregnant.

That goaded him to build up his herd.

Since the Village-based Milk Collection Center (VBMCC) is only beside his house, it was easy for him to deliver and store milk in a place where his fellow cooperative members bring and store their own produce.

“Even if we do not advertise, milk buyers come to our place. We also have buyers coming from other provinces like Pangasinan,” Lodivico said. Currently, he disclosed an average of 60-70 liters milk collected daily. He himself delivers them to different stores or clients. On Fridays and Mondays, the milk collected in Talugtug and from his hometown is delivered to the PCC’s Milka Krem. On certain day, he brings the milk to his clients in Tarlac City, while on another fixed day of the week, he waits for those coming from Manila to get their milk allotment.

In the past, he and his wife used to wake up at 3:00 in the morning to manually milk their dairy buffaloes. But since they are now using a milking machine given by the DTI, milking has become more convenient for them.

The milking machine was intended for the communal use of the other members of their cooperative. But since he has the most number of dairy buffaloes to milk, the members agreed that he safekeeps the equipment.

At times, when he is scheduled to attend to some other activities, his wife takes over the milking chore.

In 2017, he underwent a training under the TESDA and became a holder of a “National Certificate II (NC II) in Animal Production”. This enables him to share his vast knowledge and experience in the field of animal production especially on dairy buffalo production and management. He now facilitates a training for his fellow farmers, including the youths, for two months, on a farm stay-in basis where he provides hands-on or practical exercises.

Lodivico considers this endeavor as an opportunity for a better livelihood and a way to somehow contribute to the country in meeting high demand for milk and other meat products.

“When more farmers are engaged into this kind of undertaking, they can add up to higher production of milk and meat,” he said.

Last year, Lodivico improved further his buffalo shelters to accommodate the growing number of his animals. He also improved his farmland, which is planted to forage and serves as a grazing area. “While I certainly face difficulties sometimes, it never crossed my mind to stop working to improve on what I do and to keep helping others,” Lodivico said.

What inspires him the most, he said, is to push for a bigger herd of animals that are lactating. He is also inspired by the idea of having a processing facility of his own for the production of milk-based products and setting up of marketing outlet for his dairy products.

“I firmly believe that any one is able to endure difficulties as long as he has put his heart into the work”, Lodivico stressed.

He further said: “If you have a dream, you can find a way to do it and focus on it. In time, when it works the way you have planned it out and dreamed about, it will surely give you immense joy.”