Dự án nông nghiệp " Nghe An Province Sustainable Village Based Beef Cattle Development, Training and Extension Programme " MS7 ppt

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development





010/06VIE

Nghe An Province
Sustainable Village Based Beef Cattle
Development, Training and Extension
Programme














MS7: Project Technical Report A


September 2008

2
Table of Contents

POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT OF BEEF PRODUCTION IN NGHE AN PROVINCE.
3

Introduction 3
1. Size of Farmers Land Holding: 3
2. Reduction in Common Grazing Land: 3
3. Lack of Genetic Potential in Local Breeds of Beef Cattle: 4
4. Lack of Forage Options: 4
5. Lack of High Quality Conserved Feed for Winter: 4
6. Lack of Capital: 5
7. Cattle Ownership: 5
8. Lack of Extension Infrastructure: 5
9. Lack of Stable Market: 6
10. Disease Risk: 6
PREDICTED CHANGES IN BEEF PRODUCTION SYSTEMS 7
Changes in Nutrition levels 2000 - 2008 7
The Effects of Genetic Improvement: 7
Potential for increased production and improved profitably 9
USE OF A “VILLAGE BULL SYSTEM”: 10
NEW TROPICAL GRASSES AND LEGUMES 11
Pasture Production Data 12
NGHE AN TRAINING REPORT 13
Use of Key Farmers as an Extension Method within the Project: 13
Training Schedule Log for the Project: 15

PROJECT REPORT SUMMARY: 16
Conclusion: 16


Abbreviations
AI Artificial Insemination
BCFRC
Bavi Cattle & Forage Research
Centre
Co Company
Demo Demonstration
DM Dry Matter
g Gram
Ha Hectare
Kg Kilogram
KjME Kilojoules of Metabolisable Energy
Ltd Limited
LWT Live weight
ME Metabolisable energy
PA Per Year
ToT Trainers of Trainers
W/S Workshops
WM Wet Matter
Yr Year


3
Potential for Development of Beef Production in Nghe An
Province.
Introduction

The AusAID project set out to evaluate the potential of beef production systems in
Nghe An Province and also lay the foundation for expansion of beef productions.

In February 2007 a number of one-on-one interventions and farmer workshops
evaluated the barriers and restriction to the development of beef production. The key
finds were:-
1. lack of size of farmer land holdings
2. reduction in common grazing land
3. lack of genetic potential
4. lack of forage options
5. lack of high quality conserved feed over winter. The project team over the last
12-months has addressed each of these barriers to development and found
that modern technologies can overcome the majority of these
6. lack of capital
7. cattle ownership seen as a “family bank rather than a commercial enterprise
8. lack of extension infrastructure
9. lack of stable markets
10. risk of risk

1. Size of Farmers Land Holding:
The size of farmers land holdings range from 2,500m
2
– 30,000 m
2
. The majority of
the land is required for horticulture for cash crops or production of forage. Cattle
were held for draft, grazed and fed waste bi-product in dry form over the winter dry
months. The number of cattle was controlled by availability of grazing areas, labour
and the availability of winter forage and financial return.

The project has found that farmers with land areas as small as 3,000 m
2
can
effectively support 5-6 cattle as long as they can access bi-product from other
farmers. This is twice the traditional number for a smallholder without access to
common grazing land
2. Reduction in Common Grazing Land:
Intensification of cropping and land use for forestry and other uses is having a
marked effect on the availability of land for common grazing. Also the number of
family units supported in the villages is increasing. Where traditional farmers in the
past had free access to large areas the availability is reducing and farmers have to
rely more and more on cut and carry or growing specialised crops, for animal
production.

In one village a farmer cooperative had 120 buffalo that went out to graze the surplus
common land. This cooperative had to be disbanded in 2000 as available common
grazing land decreased and was put into cropping and forestry.


4
The introduction of new technologies involving forage crops will see farmers move to
full cut and carry operation in the future (see labour section, and forage production).

3. Lack of Genetic Potential in Local Breeds of Beef Cattle:
A number of factors have controlled the availability and selection of the cattle genetic
base used by farmers. The main factor in the past has been the very low nutritional
levels available over winter meaning only small body weight animals could survive
the winter.

There is now a wide range of new genetics in Vietnam, ie Brahman, Droughtmaster,
Simmental, Red Angus and Sindi. The speed of improvement in genetics needs to
be in-line with (1), the nutrient levels available (2) the ability of the small local female
cattle to give birth to larger calves (3) cows having the ability to rear calves sired by
new breeds. Genetic improvement programme are long-term ventures. The project
has introduced Red Sindi bulls as stage I. Once Red Sindi crossbred female
replacements are mature, there will be the opportunity to introduce a third breed i.e.
Droughtmaster and Red Angus. A small three year project can only just start a
genetic improvement programme and will require on-going support to be effective.

4. Lack of Forage Options:
Traditional farmers had little knowledge of nutrient balancing or the need to provide
stable high protein diets to cattle. Rice straw and dry maize stover, corn powder and
banana stem were the main diet of cattle over the winter.

The new technologies have changed that completely; farmers now have forage
option such as:

Species Best Farmers Peak
Production
Estimated PA
1

Production
Napier Grass 80,000 kg WM
2
50,000 kg DM
3
/Yr
Mulatto II 42,000 kg WM 40,000 kg DM/Yr

Paspalum 48,000 kg WM 42,000 kg DM/Yr
Green Feed Maize (3x crops) 30,000 kg WM 35,000 kg DM/Yr
Sorghum Unknown
1
PA= per year
2
WM= wet matter kg/ha:
3
DM=drymatter

These new forage options are revolutionising animal husbandry in tropical areas.
The biggest area of concern now is training farmers to manage the forages and
maximise quality and utilisation over the wet season and conserve feed for the dry
season; including understanding that maximising yield does not provide a quality diet
for animals.

5. Lack of High Quality Conserved Feed for Winter:
The traditional conservation method for forages and bi-product in the past has been
drying rice straw, corn stover. Hay from wild grass has been the main source of
conserved forage. The quality of these feeds has been extremely low, providing little
more than other high fibre sources.


5
The project has introduced silage technologies to the farmers. The up take of this
technology has been varied; however, the best farmers have seen the tremendous
benefits. The best combinations of silage are:
1. Napier grass 70% cassava leaf 30%
2. green maize stove 60% cassava leaf and top 40%
3. sugar cane top 70% cassava leaf and top 30%

4. Napier grass with additives
All four options increase nutrient levels of conserved feed well above any traditional
methods. These conservation options also reduce fibre and increase intake. The
cost of these options is all low (i.e. 500-600 dong/kg DM.

6. Lack of Capital:
Lack of capital and low returns from beef cattle has been and still is a barrier to
technology uptake.

Only time, a stable market and confidence in the technologies will change the
availability of capital. Farmers are reporting 1.5million – 3 million dong profit (after
labour) from each mature breeding cow.

7. Cattle Ownership:
Farmers approach to beef cattle production systems is very different to a western
“commercial” model. Vietnamese farmers see cattle rearing as a “family bank” and a
method of accumulating wealth for important events (e.g. weddings and funerals) or
for investment.

Examples within the project to-date are:
(1). Sale of 60% cattle to build a new house
(2). Sale of 40% cattle to build a small shop
(3). Sale of 50% cattle to invest in a petrol station
(4). Sale of 50% cattle so son could get married
(5). Sale of 100% of cattle to set son up in a transport business due to ill health of
father

Eight of the 9 key farmers all want to continue with beef production and increase the
numbers of cattle over time. All have the confidence to continue and there is strong
support from the Village leaders.

8. Lack of Extension Infrastructure:
There is a lack of qualified animal husbandry extension workers in the Nghia Dan
District. There is an office in the Hoa Township 20km away, however, this office can
only service the township farmers and can provide little support to the project area.
There are farmer association leaders in each village, however, there focus is mainly
on horticulture, policy and there is little depth of understanding in animal husbandry.

Village leaders are supportive of the project but are not qualified animal husbandry
technicians. The best (at present only) extension activity is that provided by the key
project farmers and the project team members. There has not been a pool of
extension workers to become TOT’s. This is the biggest weakness of the project.

6
The project has only trained four technicians as ToTs (Mr Toan and Mr Ly & Mr
Dzoney and Mr Lu).

9. Lack of Stable Market:
The beef cattle market is poorly developed in the area with all farmers selling their
cattle to a small local slaughter or middle man. Very few cattle are reared to a full
slaughter weight. Most sales are at around 100-180kg. In the project area there is
no farmers specialising in cattle fattening and growing cattle to high quality (full
slaughter) liveweight.

There is definitely opportunity to form farmer cooperatives to improve supply chain
returns to the local farmers. The project is looking at the supply chain and the
possible formation of a farmer cooperative for beef farmers.
10. Disease Risk:
There is a high disease risk from mainly “foot & mouth” in the area. Vaccination is
undertaken by the district technicians, however, small isolated villages are

sometimes missed, which destabilises the market.
Other diseases are likely to be an issue as well such as:

¾ Anthrax
¾ T.B.
¾ Brucellosis
¾ Toxoplasmosis
¾ Leptospirosis
¾ Liver Fluke
¾ Internal parasites
¾ External parasites
¾ Heat stress


7
Predicted Changes in Beef production systems
Changes in Nutrition levels 2000 - 2008

The project undertook an evaluation of the nutrient values of forage rations in the
second year of the project. Farmers were asked to nominate a typical cattle ration
for a breeding cow (non lactating). Each farmer was asked for a typical diet for pre
2000, pre project (2005) and post project (early winter - late winter) in 2008.

Information was provided in kg of wet matter per cow/day. The diets from each
farmer were put into a nutrient model (see appendix 1) to estimate kg DM, grams of
protein, KJ ME, grams CF. The model took estimated values from standard feed
tables. Figure 1 compares the results and percentage of change from pre 2000 and
the change pre project (2005) and post project (2008). The post project ratio
comparison compares early and late winter (dry season) feeding levels.

Figure 1.
Estimated feeding levels to breeding cow ( Live Weight 280kg)

Winter feeding
Kg/Wet
Matter/day
Kg
DM/Day
Protein
intake
KJ ME
Crude
Fibre
(g/day)
Traditional Feed pre 2000 12.7 3.5 448 33 912
Traditional Feed pre-project 14.7 4.5 581 43 1236
Feeding post project early winter 23.6 4.7 895 47 852
Feeding post project late winter 20.2 4.4 823 47 934
% Change from pre 2000

Traditional Feed pre-project (2005) 16% 28% 30% 27% 36%
Feeding post project early winter
(2008)
85% 33% 100% 41% -7%
Feeding post project late winter
(2008) 59% 26% 84% 41% 2%

% Change from pre project (2005)

Feeding post project early winter 60% 4% 54% 11% -31%

Feeding post project late winter 37% -1% 42% 11% -24%

This model showed that there was some change from traditional feed pre 2000 to
pre–project 2005; this change was significant. However, there has been
considerable change also between pre and post project. The most important change
is the increase in protein intake and the reduction in fibre intake. This change is
already driving up growth rates in the project cattle with the best project farmers
achieving calf growth rates of 0.68kg/day; this is double traditional growth rates.

The change in nutrient supply to beef animals is essential to support not only
increased growth rates and production, but also to support the high body weight and
mature size of the beef cattle in the future.

The Effects of Genetic Improvement:
The genetic improvement programme undertaken pre and post project will mean that
cow mature LWT will most likely increased from approximately 300kg – 400kg over a

8
20 year period. This LWT increased will result in an approximately 32% increase in
feed demand (see figure II).

Figure II.
Vietnamese Beef Cattle estimate change in Mature Live weight (kg) of
local cattle over 20 years
Year 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 % Change
Mature Female LWT 295 330 354 378 405 37%
KJ ME Required
Maintenance 40 44 46 48 50 24%
Average ME 10.2 10.4 10.6 10.8 11.0 8%
Peak Milk Production 11 12 13 14 15 37%

KJ ME Required Milk 55 61 65 70 75 37%
KJ ME Required total 95 105 111 118 125 32%

Figure II models the likely increase in mature LWT over the next 20-years as genetic
and nutritional change takes place. The model assumes an increase in the ME
levels of the forage fed and genetic improvement will increased milk production of the
beef cows. It is important that these changes flow through into increase efficiency of
production. The above genetic and nutritional change is likely to flow through in calf
growth rates and ME demand as well.

Figure III.
Estimated mean calf live weight at 6 months age

Year 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 % Change
6 month LWT (kg) 70 90 120 125 130 86%
ADG (kg/day) 0.30 0.41 0.58 0.61 0.63 111%
KJ ME Required
Maintenance
13 16 20 20 21 57%
Average ME 10.2 10.4 10.6 10.8 11.0 8%
KJ ME Required growth 10 14 19 20 21 111%
KJ ME Required total 33 40 50 51 53 58%

Figure III models the likely change in 6-month LWT of calves over the next 20-years
and there ME demand. A 58% increase in ME supply is required to sustain this
scenario. Again it is essential that these changes flow through into productivity,
efficiency and increased profit.

Figure IV
Weeks and feed required to produced 280 LWT calf for sale

Weeks to sale 280Kg) 133 97 69 66 63 -53%
Feed KJME to sale 31189 27247 24006 23654 23327 -25%
Feed Requirement Cow+Calf/yr
KJME Required per yr 46900 52948 58734 61776 64965 39%
Kg LWT Produced/yr 130 170 231 241 251 94%
Efficiency
Grams of LWT /KJME 2.7612 3.2117 3.9311 3.9017 3.8662 40%

Figure IV model looks at efficiency in two ways; firstly in the number of weeks to sale
for a 280kg calf and secondly as grams of LWT produced per kgME. The model
predicts a 53% decrease in weeks to sale and a 40% increase in efficiency a
measured by grams LWT/kgME.


9
These models are only an estimate of change; but do highlight some of the issues
that farmers will face over this period, as well as the importance of improving nutrient
supply and balance, if international standards of beef production are to be achieved
by small farmers in Nghe An Province.

The big question is how these changes flow through into increased profit for local
farmers.

Potential for increased production and improved profitably.
Estimating the cost of feed and the effect on profit is extremely difficult as farmers do
not value their time or most of the forages (including meal) which is home grown.
One guide is the difference in the value of corn meal (kg & ME) compared to the cost
of bi-product or pasture silage 230d/kgME vs 130d/kgME.

In the 3 project villages there is an estimated 4270 hectares of horticultural land with

660ha maize grown, 413 hectares of cassava as a source of bi-product. Very high
yields of bio-mass were recorded from Napier grass and other tropical pasture (see
Figure V). The combinations of new pasture, and bi-product conservation provides
small farmers (with 5,000m
2
land) the ability to move from raising 2-3 cattle to 6-8
cattle with post-project nutrient levels 30-50% higher and growth rates 50-100%
faster
.
Figure V.
Base data for project site.
Village
Nghia
Son
Nghia
Lum
Nghia
Yen
Total
Horticultural land (ha) 1177 1808 1283 4268
No Small Holders 880 1560 1178 3618

Village population 3980 7558 5786 17324
Total No Labour units 1405 1605 2000 5010
Average ha/small holder 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.2
Average no labour/small holder 1.6 1.0 1.7 1.4
No Smallholders raising
Cattle/buffalo 400 774 863 2037
Total No Cattle 332 720 503 1555
Total No Buffalo 725 1602 1595 3922

0
Total area maize/village (ha) 205 250 205 660
Total area cassave/village (ha) N/A 108 305 413
Total area sugar cane/village (ha) 89 459 880 1428
Total area oranges/village (ha) 264 94 41 399
Total area other crop/village (ha) 437 357 345 1139
Total area Pasture/village (ha) 16 N/A 1.5 17.5
Total area forestry (ha) 376 497 886 1759

The combination of technologies has the potential to increase productivity of small
holders by 100% to 200% without dramatic increases in forage cost;. ie from 1555 to
over 3000 cattle. A more in-depth economic evaluation will be undertaken at the end
of the project; however, early indications are that beef production is profitable.

10

Use of a “Village Bull System”:
The three Red Sindi cross (75% B and 25% yellow cattle) village bulls were
delivered to the project by Mr. Toan on the 7 June 2008. They were all similar in age
(19 to 20 months old); weight (340 to 350 kg LW), and colour (red-brown) (see
photo’s below). All three bulls were in excellent condition. Project farmers will get
their cows mated free, while non-project farmers pay VD 50,000 per mating
(compared to VD 70,000 that is the rate charged in nearby Thai Hoa township). Toan
has provided the three farmers with a recording book and written manual that
includes feeding guides, based around fresh grass (or fresh hay) and a concentrate
mix. By the 25 June several matings had occurred; e.g. Mr Heip’s bull had mated two
cows. In visiting non-project farmers near Thai Hoa, 12 km from 19
th
May we met a
farmer who had been given a Red Sindi bull to use as a village bull that was mating

45 village cows a month.





1. Bull at Nghia Som (Heip’s family)
2. Bull at Mr. Ming’s
3. Bull at Nghia Yen (Tu’s family)

The project introduced AI equipment and semen into the project in 2007. The project
employed a highly skilled AI technician to train another technician in the area and
provided 30 days training to the technician. While the highly skilled project
technician was on site AI was successful but was mainly limited to a few project
cattle. The AI system collapsed after 3-months once the quality technician left the
area there was not the in-depth support or infrastructure in the area at this time.
Without a strong cattle breeding station, good support, the use of AI is limited.

The project switched to a “village bull” system; purchasing three Red Sindi bulls and
contracted them out to farmers to raise and feed. This system has been successful
with some 50 cattle mated over the first 4-months of the scheme. The farmers are
becoming more confident in the system and more farmers are bringing their cows to
3
2
1

11
the bulls. Conception rates are over 95%; with the conception rates likely to
decrease a little over the dry season as nutrient levels decrease. As Red Sindi
crossbred replacement cows are introduced into the system the ability to introduce 3-

way cross using Red Angus, Droughtmaster, and Brahman is a reality.

The sustainability of the “village bull” system will be reliant on the “bull Owners”
access to high quality genetics. Also have enough income from service fees to make
the system profitable. The short AI scheme will hopefully produce a few high merit
bull calves that can become “village bulls”. A cattle breed station is planned for the
area in 2009 which hopefully allow for high genetic bull to be available in the future
and support an AI service for 3 way crossing.

New Tropical Grasses and Legumes
The 1
st
demonstration plantings of new tropical species (Mulato II, Ubon paspalum
and Ubon Stylo) from Thailand are now nearly 12 months old. All the new pastures
sown in April/May 2008 on village farms in Nghia Son, Nghia Lam and Nghia Yen
were from seed purchased from Thailand in March 2008. These sowings build on
small scale demonstrations established last year with forages to replace low quality
Napier grass.and a tour of project extension and farmers to east Thailand in March
2008. The high quality of seed and the rapid germination and establishment of the
new seeds has impressed project farmers. Detailed comments on individual farmers
are reported in Appendix 2.





1 Mr. Ha; good rotation established in 8 week old Mulato II.
2. 19
th
May Company, 6 weeks after sowing between wide row rubber plantation

3. Mr. Tu with Ubon stylo (L) and Mulato II (R)

12
4.Tran Xuan Thung (Nghia Yen Village) with Mulato II sown 90 days before.



Transplanted Ubon paspalum 4 to 6 weeks after nursery sowing.

Pasture Production Data
Production data has been collected on the new pasture planted in the project. In
September 2008 4 sites were cut after a growing period of 25 to 35 days The yield
was calculated and Figure VI shows the extremely high production over this period
ranging from 5 tonnes to 12.5 tonnes of DM for an adjusted 30 day period

Figure VI. Forage production project area in Vietnam Wet Season (Sept)
Kg Wet Wet
per m
2
No Days kg/ha/day DM%
kg/DM 30
days
Napier grass 8.1 35 2314 18% 12500
Paspalum 4.1 25 1640 16% 7870
Mulato II (site 1) 2.8 25 1120 15% 5040
Mulato II (site 2 ) 4.2 31 1355 15% 6100
Data Above collect by T Harvey 24 Sept


Mulato II production level look very promising with production ranging from 1200 kg

DM/month in Feb to 6000 kg DM/month in Sept (see Figure VII

Mulato II production Vietnam (KgDM cut per month)
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
F
e
b
-0
8
m
a
rch
Ap
ri
l
m
a
y
J
u
ne
Ju
l

y
A
ugust
Sept
Oct
N
o
v
Dec
Ja
n
Month
Kg DM/month
Kg DM cut/month


13
Nghe An Training Report


Trainee in Ubon Ratchathani – Thailand

Since March 2007 an on going training programme has been undertaken as part of
the project. Training falls into 5 categories i.e. workshops, field training,
demonstrations, practical and intensive overseas training. Thirty three training events
have been completed in the last 18-months. Three hundred and fifty six participants
have been exposed to the training events involving 209 farmers and 136 technicians
and a total of 471 hours of training has been delivered.

Training has been undertaken in the villages as well as at BCFRC Bavi. The highlight

of training was the 5 days training trip to Ubon Ratchathani University in Thailand.
The training was lead by Dr Michael Hare. The training focused on the use of
tropical pasture, animal husbandry and village based seed production.

Use of Key Farmers as an Extension Method within the Project:
The Nghia Dan District is very large and the project area has little support for animal
husbandry. A new sub-district is being formed that will include the project site;
however this will have little effect for a number of years.

One weakness of the project is the lack of technicians (trainers) to extend the project
technologies around the district. The use of key farmers and demonstration sites
and as farmer technicians has been effective, but the contact is still limited.

Of the nine key farmers, three have been excellent at taking up the technologies and
embracing change and the challenges; four have been slower to adopt the
technologies, one has not been active and another has withdrawn due to ill health.

The 19
th
May Company has lacked the structure or skill base to be able to develop a
model farm. This is disappointing as it was hoped that the 19
th
May Company would
have provided the district with a larger scale model as well as a supply of genetic
material in the future. The Company is developing some animal husbandry skills and
has developed a 34 cow dairy herd with 16 milking cows. The management level is

14
improving and it is still hoped to have them implement a range of the new
technologies.

The key farmers have been active in involving their local farmers in training and
especially in project activities such as silage making, sowing and harvesting new
pasture species. The key farmers were supplied with small choppers, small silage
tanks, new species of pasture; eartags for their cattle and weigh bands to record
cattle liveweights. Five to six of the key farmers have been active in being key
speakers at project workshops around the area at district level. This has been one of
the best aspects of the key farmers programme. Five key farmers were taken on a
field trip to Thailand in April 2008. This was very effective and encouraging the key
farmers and demonstrating the opportunities to developing beef production.

Many of the new technologies were completely new to the region and this was very
important to trial the technologies and make sure that they were robust and suitable.

Mullato II and Paspalum had never been planted in Vietnam at the beginning of the
project. The use of Napier grass as a forage was just starting. Silage had never
been made in the 3 project villages. Cross breeding of cattle was new and farmers
had little or no understanding of nutrient
balancing.

The project (through the project farmers) now
have working examples showing the
effectiveness of some very important key
developments i.e. bi-product silage, new
pasture, crossbreeding and increased cattle
growth rates. These examples are only now
reaching for wider implementation and
adoption.

The project will in April 2009 hold 4 major
workshops to target 300 new farmers in the
project district. The target is to have 100
farmers using and demonstrating the new
pasture species by June 2009. 20 farmers are
actively making silage from pasture and bi-
product with 100 farmers using the new Sindi
village bulls. This level of up take should
provide a platform for change.





15
Training Schedule Log for the Project:
Date Location Type Presenter Subject No. Participants Farmers Technicians Duration Farmer training days
12/03/00 19 May Co Field Harvey/Rolsto
n
Beef Nut/Ensiling Bi-Prod 38 30 8 4 19
05/03/07 19 May Co W/s Tim Harvey Farm Mgmt/Beef Nutrition 14 14 4 7
12/07/07 19 May Co Demo Phil Rolston Pasture Establishment 5 5 4 2.5
13/07/07 19 May Co W/s Phil Rolston Project Goals 20 15 5 4 10
17/07/07 Nghia Son Demo Tim Harvey Silage 8 6 2 2 2
17/07/07 Nghia Son Demo Tim Harvey Silage 8 7 1 2 2
17/07/07 Nghia Son Demo Tim Harvey Silage 9 6 3 2 2.25
18/07/07 Nghia Lam Demo Tim Harvey Silage 5 4 1 2 1.25
18/07/07 Nghia Lam Demo Tim Harvey Silage 9 6 3 2 2.25

18/07/07 Nghia Lam Demo Tim Harvey Silage 8 6 2 2 2
19/07/07 Nghia Yen Demo Tim Harvey Silage 4 3 1 2 1
19/07/07 Nghia Yen Demo Tim Harvey Silage 7 6 1 2 1.75
19/07/07 Nghia Yen Demo Tim Harvey Silage 8 7 1 2 2
18/09/07 19 May Co W/s Michael Hare Tropical Pasture 8 5 3 4 4
20/09/07 19 May Co Field Michael Hare Pasture Nursery Mgmt 10 10 4 5
22/09/07 Nghia Son Demo Tim Harvey Silage 12 10 2 2 3
24/09/07 19 May Co W/s Averill Ramse
y
Cattle data base Mgmt 4 4 4 2
26/09/07 19 May Co Field Tim Harvey Condition Score 12 2 10 4 6
28/09/07 Nghia Lam Demo Tim Harvey Silage 7 3 4 2 1.75
28/09/07 Nghia Yen Demo Tim Harvey Silage 6 2 4 2 1.5
29/09/07 19 May Co W/s Tim Harvey Training Schedule 20 10 10 4 10
12/08/07 BCFRC W/S BCFRC Staff AI Training 1 1 250 31.25
02/10/07 BCFRC W/S BCFRC Staff Beef Cattle 25 15 5 16 50
30/11/07 Project site practicial Mr Hoa AI Training 10 9 1 100 125
15/03/08 Thailand train Intensive Michael Hare Tropical Pasture& farming 12 3 9 25 37.5
19/03/08 19 May Co W/S Tim Harvey Tropical Pasture& farming 15 3 12 4 7.5
20/03/08 19 May Co W/S Tim Harvey Tropical Pasture& farming 30 25 5 4 15
19/06/08 19 May Co W/S Rolston/Hare Tropical Pasture& farming 34 26 4 8 34
20/09/08 19 May Co Demo Tim Harvey Pasture management 5 0 5 4 2.5
23/09/08 19 May Co Demo Tim Harvey Silage 10 8 2 4 5
26/09/08 19 May Co Demo Tim Harvey Pasture management 22 16 6 4 11
27/09/08 Thao Hoa W/S Tim Harvey Beef Production 26 14 12 6 19.5
0
No Trainings 33 354 209 136 471 391
Avg Participarts 13
Vietnam Training Schedule for Card Project Vie 10/06

16
Project Report Summary:
The project has identified a number of technologies that have the potential to
increase beef production in Nghe An Province significantly.

In the high fertility soils, Napier grass production between 50-80 tons DM/ha; Mulatto
II between 25-40 tons DM/ha; and Paspalum between 25-40 tons DM/ha. This level
of bio-mass production can support 6-10 cattle/ha; where the small holder continues
to have a mixture of horticulture and animal husbandry production.

The availability of maize, sugarcane and cassava bi-product is high in most villages
and these bi-product have been under utilised in the past. The conservation of
Napier grass, maize and cassava leaf by using silage technology is possible in all
villages. This technology can improve the winter nutrient and number of cattle
supported over winter by 100% in most areas.

Through the use of crossbreeding and new genetics for beef cattle it is possible to
increase ADG growth rates of cattle by 100% if supported by better nutrition. The
status quo for beef production is not sustainable as common grazing land is reducing
by 10-20% per year in many areas. Beef production must become more specialised
and intensive to provide good profit and family incomes. There is potential for larger
20-50 beef cattle fattening units to be established in the area.

Risk factors are still high and will slow the speed of development of beef production.
The market is poorly developed with high fluctuation in prices. Due to high disease
risk, farmers sell animals early before they have reached full slaughter live weights.
There is little linkage between the processing factories in the south and the farmers
with middle men (agents) setting the price.

Extension services and support in some parts of Nghia Dan district are low.

However, in some towns there are qualified and motivated technicians with good
experience.

Conclusion:
The Nghia Dan district is a good location for the development of beef cattle
production and has the potential to support higher cattle numbers and more
specialised and intensive beef production units.