By Erwin Nicavera/PNA
BACOLOD CITY — The Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) has started producing silage from Napier grass to sustain livestock production amid the changing climate.
As of this week, five tons of Napier silage has been produced at the Negros First Ranch (NFR) in Barangay Sta. Rosa, Murcia town.
Silage is fermented, high-moisture stored fodder used to feed cattle, sheep and similar ruminants.
Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena on Friday said the silage production project is part of the PVO’s mitigating measures and adaptation strategies to sustain livestock production in provincial farms and breeding centers in various local government units (LGUs).
It is also in preparation to the possible adverse effect of climate change especially with the impending El Niño phenomenon, he said.
“Climate change affects the livestock sector, it has negative impact on productive and reproductive performance of animals. It increases the incidence of livestock diseases and parasitic infestation,” he added.
With climate change, feed and fodder resources, as well as water, also get depleted, he said.
Negros Occidental has been facing serious threats of climatic change such as severe drought, flood, intense rainfall, and landslide.
Last year, the PVO recorded about PHP13 million worth of damage and losses brought by extreme heat in both the livestock and poultry sectors.
Decena said the silage production initiative being adopted by PVO complements the existing mitigation and adaptation strategies involving sudden changes in the climate.
Climate change, which may hit the province anytime, may affect animal production, especially in the two provincial farms, such as the NFR and the Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm in Barangay La Granja in La Carlota City, he added.
