TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Jan. 14 (PIA) -- In this time of COVID-19 pandemic, the authorities at the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) in Bohol in Lomangog Ubay wants livestock growers to take the opportunity to upgrade their native stocks and get into a promising dairy production.

The premium: calves that are considerably of better breed, an additional income from carabao milk and a potential windfall if one sells the calf after weaning.

And if the calf is female, it adds to the home dairy production capacity, additional income, and better meat than the native breeds.

New PCC Center Director Dr. Ma. Dinah Loculan highlighted the significant difference in size and in dairy output between a native carabao and the hybrid varieties their center is offering to farmers who would want to improve their livestock breed for the promised improve potential.

Descendants of the swamp carabaos particularly used as draft animals, the native carabaos here need an upgrading to also improve their meat and dairy potential, explained Loculan, whose extensive studies in upland agricultural technologies have earned international recognition.

According to the PCC, a native carabao produces between one to two liters of milk a day, while a Brazilian breed has topped 18 liters a day.

Crossbreeds here in Bohol have averaged 6 liters to 10 liters a day, for the 180-300 days while in lactation.

In Bohol, PCC, which has recently sealed an agreement with the local government, has successfully convinced some livestock farmers to go into dairy farming to support the province's supplemental feeding program.

Carabao milk contains 7 to 8 percent fat, which provide more nutritional energy to develop body muscles mass.

Over cow milk, carabao milk has 10 percent less lactose, making this the ideal ice cream for those with lactose intolerance.

With cow's milk cholesterol content at 3.14, a carabao's milk has only 0.65 miligrams per gram and contains 42 percent higher protein over the usual cow's milk.

Carabao's milk is also an extremely rich source of calcium and other essential minerals like potassium, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus, which is higher than cow's milk at +9 percent calcium, +377 on iron, and +118 percent in phosphorus.

And with higher levels of immune globulin, lactoferrin, lysozyme, lactoperoxidase make carabao's milk ideal for special dietary and supplementary food for health-conscious individuals.

Now used to supplement the diet of Boholano children, there is a need for carabao milk production to also increase and the PCC is now addressing this.

With their bull entrustment program for communities with a considerable female carabao catchment and artificial insemination for remote communities, the PCC in Bohol has reached out to communities in Bohol so they can start benefiting from the extra income.

Interested farm families may visit their municipal agriculture offices and be connected to the PCC for more information or visit the PCC at their Lomangog Ubay Center. (rahc/PIA7/Bohol)