BUFFALO FARMING PAVES WAY FOR CLOSER FAMILY TIES PLUS ECONOMIC BENEFITS, TOO

Being a member of Pao Producers Cooperative in Lupao, Nueva Ecija, Roderick Tallar, together with his wife Shirley, fulfilled PCC’s requirements and had availed of two Brazilian Murrah buffaloes under the agency’s dairy buffalo module in 2010. A year after, another dairy buffalo, which was pregnant at that time, was entrusted to them.

They got lucky since they joined the program even when they had to encounter challenges along the way, which almost made them quit.

Among these challenges were the long waiting time until the buffaloes got pregnant, mortality in calves and one case of prolapse.

Their faith, though, in the importance of the program, made them continue on in the venture. When the Tallars finally started harvesting milk from their lactating animal and gaining income, all that they mutter was: “There is really an absolute truth to what other successful dairy farmers say. There is, indeed, income in dairying!”

For Roderick, he averred that whatever attention, care and investment you give to your dairy buffaloes will be returned to you in greater benefits.

Roderick and Shirley strived to improve their animal housing, forage area, and their management practices. As they gained better understanding of the dairy buffalo production system, they adopted more of the technologies introduced by PCC.

At present, they have 19 buffaloes, nine of which are female, one is a bull and nine are calves. Their eight lactating buffaloes give them an average of 55 liters of milk a day sold at Php68 per liter. In a month, they have a total net income of about Php56,000.

Shirley is in charge of a very important task in the business as she takes care of record-keeping and budgeting the family’s income making sure that they save a good portion for their future needs. “Since we started rearing and milking dairy buffaloes, we have nothing but gratefulness that we engaged in this business. Aside from having a reason to bond as a family, we are now living a comfortable life,” Roderick said.

Sons Gian Carlo and John Michael also have a very important part in the farm business. Right after their respective classes in school, they either cut and carry grasses to feed the animals or clean the pens. The youngest, Jheron, on the other hand, helps provide clean drinking water to their animals.