THE Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) of Negros Occidental has levelled-up its animal genetic improvement program using prime beef and dairy cattle breeds through artificial insemination (AI), its top official said.

Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said the province recently received semen straws of wagyu and angus beef-type cattle as well as high-milk producer girolando and gyr from the Department of Agriculture (DA) under its United Artificial Insemination Program (UNAIP).

Decena said angus and wagyu cattle are Scottish and Japanese breeds, respectively, known for its finely marbled meat.

They typically have more tender, juicy and flavorful meat than other breeds, he added.

Girolando and gyrare Brazilian and Indian breeds, on the other hand, are high milk producers.

Producing 10 to 15 liters a day, these breeds are highly adaptable to tropical condition.

The provincial veterinarian said the DA sourced the semen straws from ST genetics Navasota in Texas.

It will be used initially for two farms in the province managed by the PVO.

These are the Negros First Ranch at Barangay Sta. Rosa in Murcia and the Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm at Barangay La Granja in La Carlota City.

Decena said the offspring will serve as "foundation stocks" of the two provincial farms which will then be used to upgrade cattle population in the entire province.

"With this program, the province is expected to increase cattle population and milk production," he said, adding that this will also improve the quality of local beef benefiting both Negrense farmers and consumers.*

Contributed Photo: Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena (second from left) receives the semen straws of prime beef and dairy cattle breeds from personnel of the Department of Agricultue - Western Visayas at the Provincial Veterinary Office in Bacolod City recently.