Restructuring large livestock farming

In the recent agricultural growth picture of Son La province, large-scale livestock farming has emerged as a bright spot. From small-scale, scattered production in the high mountainous areas, the province has gradually formed a system of concentrated farms and family farms, applying new technologies and linked to a stable consumer market.

Báo Nhân dân•05/12/2025

The 3B crossbred cattle farming model in Chieng Mai commune, Son La province, is opening up a new direction for production.

These strategic changes have been helping the province reshape its livestock industry towards safer, more efficient, and sustainable practices.

Currently, Son La province has nearly 720 large, medium, and small-scale livestock farms, along with more than 181,000 livestock farming households, supplying a significant amount of food to markets both within and outside the province.

The formation of 17 supply chains has laid the foundation for livestock farming to move closer to a modern commodity production model.

The structure of livestock farming has also been adjusted according to market demand and production conditions. Specifically, the herds of cattle, pigs, and poultry have all increased steadily, reflecting the effectiveness of concentrated and biosecure farming models. At many facilities, VietGAP standards have become mandatory requirements, especially for poultry supplied to supermarkets, restaurants, and the provincial market.
Furthermore, the dairy herd in Moc Chau has been kept stable, expanding opportunities for producing raw materials for the high-tech dairy processing industry, a distinctive advantage of the locality. Along with the expansion of scale, technological advancements have created significant leverage for the industry.

Embryo transfer technology, sex selection of dairy cows, and artificial insemination help increase productivity and improve the quality of livestock. Large enterprises in Son La have invested in enclosed barns and automated many processes, gradually forming an industrial livestock farming system right in the highlands.

Among typical household farming models, the BBB (3B) crossbred cattle farming model is opening up a new production direction. In Chieng Mai commune, Ms. Pham Thi Hang's farm is one of the large-scale models with systematic investment. On an area of more than 2 hectares, she has clearly planned each area. Currently, the farm maintains 140 to 150 cows, selling 50 to 60 cows each year, with a weight of about 500-600 kg/cow. The selling price is from 85,000 to 95,000 VND/kg live weight, bringing stable income.

Ms. Hang said: “The 3B breed of cattle is easy to raise, grows quickly, has delicious meat quality, and a stable market, so I boldly invested in expanding the scale. What contributed to the model's success is the proactive, closed-loop approach with all feed being bio-fermented from elephant grass, corn stalks, rice bran, soybean meal… ensuring the herd does not lack food during the dry season.”

Livestock farming is not only developing in favorable areas, but also in remote and particularly disadvantaged communes and villages, thanks to well-directed support policies. During the 2021-2025 period, comprehensive support was implemented, ranging from grass planting and seed purchase to barn improvement and guidance on safe livestock farming techniques. In 2024, the province allocated nearly 5.7 billion VND to support grass planting, barn renovation, seed purchase, and feed processing. In 2025, an additional 1.2 billion VND will be provided, helping people plant over 66 hectares of grass and process over 300 tons of feed.

As a result, more than 200 households in disadvantaged areas have benefited, with the size of large livestock herds increasing by 5 to 7% compared to 2021, contributing to more sustainable livelihoods. Nguyen Ngoc Toan, Head of the Department of Livestock, Veterinary and Fisheries, said: “The development of these supply chains has helped farmers raise awareness, apply biosafety farming processes, reduce risks and improve product quality.”

Investment in livestock farming environmental management focuses on reducing emissions and recycling waste. The number of farms using biogas, manure presses, and disinfection areas has increased by approximately 20% compared to before 2021. Many large enterprises have adopted advanced treatment technologies, contributing to reducing pollution in residential areas.”

With a long-term vision, Son La has set goals for its livestock industry until 2030; including continuing to maintain the model of raising 3B cattle, goats, and native chickens in the highlands. This is because these breeds are suitable for small areas and limited resources but yield good economic results.

Accordingly, the vision for 2035 is not only to increase the number of livestock but also to build a circular farming system, utilizing agricultural by-products, reusing waste, reducing production costs, and increasing added value. The province plans to expand linkages between raw material production, slaughtering, processing, and consumption to form a closed value chain, with the expectation of integrating livestock products into larger supply chains and aiming for export.

Text and photos: QUOC TUAN

Source: https://nhandan.vn/tai-cau-truc-chan-nuoi-dai-gia-suc-post928328.html