February 23, 2016  

Filipino farmers given tips on proper care of farm animals during summer

In preparation for the coming hot weather in March, April and May (considered the summer season in the Philippines), Filipino farmers were given tips on the proper care of farm animals including the provision of sufficient shade and clean water.

Veterinarian Florencio M. Macuja of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian in Antique province told a village forum that extreme heat causes much stress to farm animals and that therefore they should be provided with clean water to help reduce the impacts of high temperatures.

Macuja also stressed the need to:

-- bathe the animals thrice a week to enhance their appetite;

-- feed the animals with the needed concentrate feeds;

-- spray or soak rice straw with molasses or sea water to enhance the palatability;

-- have vitamins and minerals available at all times; and

-- deworm animals if necessary.

Meanwhile, the damage caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon on Philippine farms has risen to P4 billion (US$84.010 million), the Department of Agriculture said.