DA Warns Farmers Vs. El Niño’s Bad Effect to Farm Animals

The Department of Agriculture on Wednesday warned the public against the bad effect of climate change on agricultural farms and animal productions.

Marianito Doydora, Ubay Stock Farm OIC in Bohol made the warning since the onset of El Niño phenomenon is now apparent in the whole archipelago.

Low Production

In a talk to Cebu media, Doydora explained that during this season, low production on livestock will be experienced by all farmers. He said the slow growth of farm animals could be the result of the lack of proper nutritional feeds due to the absence of fresh shrubs and other sources of feeds at the backyard.

Doydora added that commercial feeds is another burden because some of its sources are also affected by the drought and therefore has to lessen its production.

He said that farm feeds such as legumes and other forages and commercial feeds will help a lot on the growth of farm animals, and if these sources are affected by the hot phenomenon, there is a great possibility that animal growth will become stagnant.

Doydora also pointed out that physical posture of an animal counts a lot for its survival, however, if it lacks proper nutritional feeds, there is a possibility that its whole body system will become weak and susceptible to diseases.

He said that because of this reason, meat productions are less, and therefore its high cost in the market will ultimately be experienced.

Mitigate Effects

However, he said that to mitigate the effects of El Niño phenomenon on livestock and poultry products, the DA is advising farmers to create some alternatives that may shade them against the direct heat of the sun.

Doydora said that this could be done by building a small nipa or cogon hut that would cover or protect animals out from the sun’s heat.

Stockpiling

Doydora also said that stockpiling of dried farm wastes as an alternative sources of feeds during the hot season is another thing that must be adopted by farmers. He said that corn and rice stokes play an important role for animal feeds during the El Niño phenomenon.

Doydora hinted that these products should be mixed with another ingredients such as rice and corn-by products and water, to help animal survival.