SUPERIOR CATTLE. Twin calves “Covida” and “Asfa” with their mother at the Negros First Ranch in Barangay Sta. Rosa, Murcia, Negros Occidental in this undated photo. The triple-crossed beef-type cattle were born on April 30. (Photo courtesy of PVO-Negros Occidental)
BACOLOD CITY – Hitting the latest milestone under the Provincial Genetic and Improvement Program, the Negros First Ranch (NFR) has produced another superior quality livestock with the twin female calves of Simmental-Brahman-Charolais breed.
Named “Covida” and “Asfa” after the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and African swine fever (ASF) respectively, these triple-crossed beef-type cattle were born on April 30.
The calves were naturally bred in July 2020 at the NFR located in Barangay Sta. Rosa, Murcia town in Negros Occidental.
“High-quality breeds of farm animals are produced at the ranch,” Dr. Renante Decena, provincial veterinarian, said in a statement on Wednesday.
NFR-produced cattle are best known for their superior quality in terms of being resistant to adverse weather conditions, good maternal ability, excellent libido, and high-quality beef.
Last month, triplet goats named “Tony,” “Carla” and “Denise” were also born at the NFR.
Bred in November 2020, these were considered as the first locally born dairy goats produced with an Anglo-Nubian breed.
Through the genetic and improvement program, the provincial government aims to enhance and upgrade the genetic makeup of local breeds of livestock and poultry animals.
Decena said these developments show the technical capability or expertise of the farm personnel of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) brought about by years of hands-on experience in the field of livestock production and animal husbandry.
Matched with the superior quality animal breed, this resulted in multiple birthing or production of two or more offsprings, he added.
Decena said the PVO is scaling up its livestock and poultry production by increasing the animal population through the infusion of genetically improved breeds.
“With these efforts, it is expected that there would be more superior breed of livestock and poultry animals produced in Negros Occidental,” he added. (PNA)
