We
are now in the computer age, the world of modern technology wherein the
community is very far as compared before especially in the developed countries.
The advancement of technology is very fast, making the phase of life very fast
as well. The life and work of the people become easier though quite more
expensive.
If
we go back and think what is really Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) means, we can figure out that it entails
on any communication device or application including radio, television,
cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software and satellite systems .
And for this, what is the role of
ICT in my work?
As
a researcher and an employee of the Philippine Carabao Center, the advancement
of new technologies is a great help to us especially in the improvement of
dairy industry in the country.
With
my experience, I have seen the importance of computer and networking especially
in the case of animal breeding and genetics. The different animal data gathered
in the field were entered to the database wherein the genetic traits and heritability
of the animals can be calculated and predicted with the aid of a special software.
The data can also be sent immediately to the different animal geneticists all
over the world through the internet for further refinement.
Furthermore,
the consultation of a researcher in the Philippines with a scientist abroad becomes
easier through videoconferencing making the conversation more conducive to both
parties.
For
more practical application, in the Gene Pool Farm we already have the automatic
milking parlor wherein the carabaos were placed with a necklace called
transponders. Transponders contain microchips that can be censored once the lactating
animals entered the milking parlor. The gate of the chute where the buffaloes
were milked will be automatically opened and once the milking is finish, the cluster
will be automatically detached and the gate will open for the animals to go
out. The milk production data, length of milking, animal ID number, animal
status and other important information pertaining to the animals can be
directly seen in the computer. With this kind of advancement, the milkers spend
shorter time in milking, the milk production data is more accurate and the
labor cost is decrease.
Another
important application of advance technology in dairy industry is through the
use of rumen bolus. The rumen bolus contains the Reference ID which tells the
Animal ID number of the buffalo, once the reader was pointed on the rumen area.
With this equipment the reading of Animal ID during weighing, vaccination and
vitamin administration is faster compared with reading it through the ear tags.
Another Advantage of rumen bolus over
the use of ear tag is that it can’t be easily lost.
In
terms of milk quality, the milk samples collected from the farmers will be
analyzed in the laboratory using a special type of machine called milkoscan . The
percent composition for fat, protein, SNF and TS will be determined for a
matter of seconds only. And for the level of somatic cell counts, a somatic
cell counter will be used. The milk analysis result from the laboratory will be
immediately transferred to the farmers through text messages. The result will be entered also in the milk
test day data base for the reproduction of individual milk analysis result to
be given as hard copy to the farmers which they can use to monitor the milk
quality trends of their carabaos for them also to improve their management.
In addition we have an official website where the
farmers can access the latest updates in carabao production and management. Another is the face book group named Philippine Dairy Group where the farmers and technical staffs can exchange their ideas regarding their concerns of raising dairy buffaloes.
Through ICT our Carabao
Development Program will continue and it will achieve its goal to produce
buffalo with better genetic potential for milk and meat production that will
help uplift the lives of the dairy farmers.
