Utilizing agricultural by-products to feed cattle.

Taking advantage of readily available food sources and favorable natural conditions, many households in Binh Duc ward have developed commercial cattle farming, creating a stable source of income and improving their living standards.

Mr. Tran Huu Nghia fattens his herd of cows using feed made from soybean pulp, porridge, dried rice, etc. Photo: NGUYEN HUNG

Compared to many other livestock, cattle adapt well to local climatic conditions, are less susceptible to disease, and have readily available food sources from natural grass and agricultural by-products such as straw, corn stalks, and rice bran. As a result, farmers reduce input costs and improve production efficiency.

As one of the pioneering households developing a commercial cattle farming model in the locality, Mr. Tran Thanh Vu, residing in Binh Duc ward, boldly invested in building sturdy barns, utilizing the vacant land behind his house and readily available natural grass to develop his herd. From a few initial local breeds, his family now maintains a herd of nearly 20 cattle, mainly high - value foreign breeds. Mr. Vu shared: “Previously, my family raised local cattle, but their growth rate was slow, so we switched to raising commercial breeds such as Ba Be and French cattle. These breeds are easy to care for, require less labor, and are suitable for the production conditions of our household. After about 8-12 months of raising, the cattle reach market weight, bringing stable income.”

According to Mr. Vu, many households in the area utilize their garden land, embankments, and production areas to grow grass for cattle feed, contributing to reduced livestock farming costs. However, in recent years, livestock diseases and market fluctuations have also affected the production efficiency of farmers.

Not far from Mr. Vu's house, Mr. Tran Huu Nghia also maintains a herd of more than 10 cows. Besides rice production, his family also raises cows to increase their income. Mr. Nghia said: “Raising cows is easier than raising many other types of livestock. Every day, I just need to ensure a supply of food and water and monitor the health of the herd. In addition to fresh grass, I supplement their diet with by-products such as soybean meal, bean residue, porridge, and dried rice to help the cows gain weight better.” However, according to Mr. Nghia, for commercial cattle farming to develop sustainably, people need to strictly adhere to technical procedures, regularly clean the barns, administer all necessary vaccinations, and proactively prevent and control diseases.

According to Mr. Ly Cong Trinh, head of the Farmers' Association in Binh Khanh 4 hamlet, the entire hamlet has more than 10 households raising commercial cattle, with a total herd of over 90 animals, and this number is expected to continue increasing in the future. This model not only helps to increase people's income but also effectively utilizes agricultural land, creating more jobs for rural workers.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Dep, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Binh Duc Ward, commercial cattle farming is a suitable economic development direction for the local area. Many member households have escaped poverty and gradually become more prosperous by effectively utilizing agricultural by-products such as straw and corn stalks combined with growing grass as feed for cattle. In particular, people are boldly raising high-yielding hybrid breeds such as Zebu, Ba Be, and Brahman, which helps increase carcass yield, shorten rearing time, and improve economic efficiency. In addition, most households have switched from free-range grazing to semi-enclosed farming, fully implementing disease prevention and control measures as guided by the veterinary sector.

To further develop the sustainable commercial cattle farming model, the Binh Duc Ward Farmers' Association will facilitate its members' access to preferential loans from the Farmers' Support Fund and the Social Policy Bank to restock herds and expand production scale. Simultaneously, they will coordinate the organization of training courses on livestock farming techniques, guiding the application of circular farming models and waste treatment using biological products, contributing to improved economic efficiency and environmental protection. Furthermore, the locality encourages the establishment of professional associations and cattle farming cooperatives to strengthen production linkages, share experiences, provide breeding stock support, and enhance product consumption.

With existing advantages and the support of all levels and sectors, the commercial cattle farming model in Binh Duc is expected to continue developing, bringing stable income to the people.

NGUYEN HUNG

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/tan-dung-phu-pham-nong-nghiep-de-nuoi-bo-a487755.html