Ten farmer associations across the Cagayan Valley region are now preparing their cattle for Artificial Insemination (AI) services, an initiative of the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) in partnership with the DA Region 2 Livestock Program.
A total of 139 female cattle will undergo the procedure, distributed among 11 farmers’ associations and cooperatives across Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and Batanes, including 21 cattle from the LGU of San Isidro to the Patanad Farmers Association (PFA) in Isabela. The rollout began last July 24, 2025 and will run throughout August to cater all the associations who received the livestock.
The benefiting associations are the Masi Corn Development Farmers Association (MCDFA), Malaueg Food Producers and Farmers Association (MFPFA), and Cabaleng San Isidro Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (CASIFA Coop) in the province of Cagayan; Dur-as Farmers Association (DFA), Samahan ng Tobacco Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (STFAC) in Isabela; La Paz Agriculture and Fishery Farmers Association (LAFFA) in Quirino; Nag-et Farmers Association (NFA), Ocapon Sustainable Agriculture Development and Irrigators Association (OSADIA) in Nueva Vizcaya; and Kayvayvanan Umhakaw nu Basco Farmers Association (KUNB FA), and Kayvayvanan nu Mitatakey Du Itbayat (KA-MI FA) in Batanes.
The activity was led by SAAD Region 2 OPBME Lead Dr. Bernard M. Malazzab Jr., and Regional Livestock Focal Dr. Bryan Sibayan which initially catered two associations in Rizal. As part of the animal health protocol, the cattle were also vaccinated and dewormed. The same animal health treatments are also scheduled for the 22 male cattle and 23 offspring while only vaccines will be given to the 5 pregnant cows to ensure they remain healthy and disease-free.
If the cows are not found “in heat” during the technicians’ initial visit, they will coordinate with the farmers and return once signs of estrus are observed. Cattle that undergo AI will be monitored for 21 days. If no signs of heat appear, they will be checked again after three months for pregnancy confirmation. If successful, farmers can expect new calves approximately nine months from the date of insemination.
MFPFA President Ms. Lilibeth Gonzales expressed optimism, assuring that their group will take excellent care of the cattle to make the most of this SAAD intervention. She emphasized that with proper management, this could significantly increase their herd.
Also sharing her experience was Ms. Warlita B. Asco, a member of MCDFA and one of the successful recipients of the AI service. She said, “Agyamanak gaputa nagballagi ti naisayangkat nga Artificial Insemination iti baka’k ket sapaykuma ta maaddaan to ti anak, ta dakkel a banag to kaniami nga agtartaraken. Taraknenmi a nasayaat dagitoy a baka nga inted ti SAAD nangruna ket dimmalankami metten iti training. Ado dagiti maipasiguromi a makanda ken sapaykuma ket umado dagitoy a baka.”
(I am thankful because the Artificial Insemination done on my cow was successful, and I hope it will have a calf because this means a lot to us who raise livestock. We will take good care of the cattle given by SAAD, especially since we have already undergone training. We can now ensure that they have enough food, and hopefully, they will multiply.)
To support the AI initiative, SAAD also conducted Silage Making and Cattle Production Training to equip beneficiaries with the knowledge and skills needed for sustainable livestock management. It may be recalled that these associations began receiving cattle from SAAD in 2023, and this new milestone in cattle production is a testament to the farmers’ commitment and successful application of what they have learned. ###
