Application of science and technology in livestock farming for sustainable development

Applying science and technology to livestock farming helps improve the quality of cattle herds

Promoting science and technology transfer

According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the province currently has about 110,000 cows, equal to 98.8% compared to the same period in 2023. To improve the efficiency and production value of beef cattle farming, the provincial Department of Agriculture has implemented many programs and projects to support people in applying science and technology, especially focusing on improving the quality of cattle breeds. Thanks to that, the quality of cattle herds has been increasingly improved, contributing to increasing productivity and income for farmers.

Since 2021, the provincial Department of Agriculture has implemented 5 pilot models of high-quality beef cattle farming in Duc Hue, Tan Tru and Thu Thua districts. Accordingly, when participating in the model, households are supported with breeding cows, trained in livestock breeding techniques and supported to purchase equipment such as grass cutters, grass choppers, etc.

In addition, the sector also promotes the conversion of breeding cows. Since 2022, the industry has supported the conversion of 285 breeding cows for households in the districts of Duc Hoa, Duc Hue, Thu Thua and Tan Tru.

In addition, the sector also organizes training on livestock farming techniques for people, focusing on the following techniques: barn designs, raising cows, disease prevention, artificial insemination, etc.

According to the Deputy Head of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries of the province - Huynh Thi Kim Phuong, the Program for Developing High-Tech Agriculture in association with restructuring the agricultural sector has created a clear change for cattle farmers in the province.

In particular, the initial effectiveness of some pilot models, breed conversion, mastering the techniques of ration, food silage techniques for storage, making mineral stones, waste treatment, etc have improved economic efficiency and met the requirements of the program to proactively create source of breeding cows, increase the value of the calf herd by more than 30% in value as well as weight, the interval between 2 litters from 2-3 years/head reduced to about 2 years/head; some households even reduced it to about 14 months/head, shortening the time to increase the herd.

"Improving the quality of cow breeds is one of the important solutions to develop beef cattle farming in the province. The implementation of programs and projects to support people in applying science and technology to livestock farming has contributed to improving the quality of cow herds, increasing productivity and income for farmers" - Ms. Huynh Thi Kim Phuong added.

In Tan Tru district, recently, the district's agricultural sector has focused on supporting the transfer of science and technology to farmers. The district's agricultural sector has coordinated to implement a demonstration model of "Organic broiler farming techniques" at Mr. Pham Van Nho's household (Binh Hoa hamlet, Binh Trinh Dong commune). The scale of implementation is on a flock of 2,000 chickens.

Accordingly, the district's agricultural sector supports part of the cost of breeding stock, mixed feed, vaccines, disinfectants, biological products, microorganisms, etc with a total cost of 35 million VND, the rest is on the farming household.

To implement the model, the farming households choose quarantined breeding stock with clear origin; isolated farming areas, fully vaccinated against diseases, focusing on supplementing microorganisms, herbs, vegetables, vitamins for chickens; clean barns, biological bedding, and periodically disinfect around the barns. Along with that, the farmer invested in an automatic feeding and drinking system to avoid spillage, food loss and reduce labor.

Taking us to visit the chicken farming area, Mr. Nho showed off the automatic feeding and drinking trough system and the newly invested feed mixer. Mr. Nho shared: "Applying modern science and technology to chicken farming helps me reduce labor, save on labor costs, improve productivity and product quality."

Towards sustainable development

The barn system of Ngo Thi Huynh Nga farm (Thanh An commune, Thanh Hoa district) is modernly invested

According to Mr. Le Thanh Tai - Representative of Ngo Thi Huynh Nga farm (Thanh An commune, Thanh Hoa district), the farm mainly raises commercial ducks and egg-laying ducks. Since 2014, the farm has applied a closed-loop farming process towards biosafety. Currently, the farm has an advanced and modern barn system; has temperature and humidity measuring devices for each barn area and continues to invest in upgrading the farming area.

In general, most owners of medium and large-scale livestock farms in the province have been more proactive in applying science and technology to production. To improve livestock farming efficiency, the provincial Department of Agriculture encourages people to develop concentrated, medium and large-scale livestock farms; apply high technology; focus on developing advantageous products such as pork, chicken, etc.

At the same time, the sector encourages people to boldly invest in science and technology, high technology in production such as applying closed barn technology; automatic feeding and drinking troughs; biological bedding; waste treatment technology; etc to reduce production costs and increase income from livestock farming.

Temperature and humidity meters are equipped for each barn area to help Ngo Thi Huynh Nga farm (Thanh An commune, Thanh Hoa district) control the living environment of the duck flock

However, according to the assessment of the provincial Department of Agriculture, most people still raise livestock on a small scale; the barn system mostly takes advantage of the family's garden area; Livestock farmers have not focused on investing in machinery and technology in the livestock farming process; etc.

Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development - Dinh Thi Phuong Khanh informed: In the coming time, localities need to promote the transfer and application of science and technology in livestock farming, focusing on developing key livestock products suitable to the advantages of each locality and market demand; creating conditions for livestock farmers to access preferential loans to expand scale, invest in closed barns, apply high technology in concentrated production; accessing new breeds with high productivity and quality; at the same time, creating favorable conditions to attract businesses to invest in livestock farming, organize production linkages between stages in the value chain to reduce production costs, increase added value, develop sustainably and increase product value; strengthening propaganda and dissemination of the Law on Livestock and the Law on Veterinary Medicine; using breeds of clear origin, fully vaccinated according to regulations.

“The provincial Department of Agriculture continues to encourage the development of closed livestock farm models, where all stages of production from breeding, processing, and consumption are strictly controlled. These models not only help optimize the production process but also ensure product quality and minimize disease risks,” added Ms. Dinh Thi Phuong Khanh.

The province is orienting the development of the livestock industry towards modernization, combining the application of high technology and good environmental management. These steps not only improve productivity and product quality but also protect public health and natural resources, aiming for a stable and sustainable livestock industry./.

By Bui Tung - Translated by Q. Thien

Source: https://baolongan.vn/ung-dung-khoa-hoc-ky-thuat-trong-chan-nuoi-tao-huong-phat-trien-ben-vung-a185970.html