Corn silage production: a profitable option to corn farmers in the cattle feedlot production areas in Mindanao [Philippines]
1997
Oliva, L.P. | Pomares, C. | Malacad, W. | Mate, S. | Duldulao, F. | Rogayan, D. (University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato (Philippines). Univ. of Southern Mindanao Agricultural Research Center)
The On-Farm Research and Outreach (OFRO) program has been on-going for over 13 years or so to be able to fast-track the provision of technology options or strategies for corn farmers. Recent development on Mindanao [Philippines] underscores the need to address the growing demand for soilage feedlot cattle production. Trials had been focused on improving existing or recommended corn technologies to provide more efficient corn soilage production. Potential hybrids/varieties for soilage production along with some component technologies were tried in farmers' fields. Results show that, with USM Var 5, USM Var 2 and Pioneer 3014, and planting density of 60,000 to 90,000 plants per hectare and applied with organic fertilizer, yields of 40 to as high as 58 tons/ha of soilage were obtained within 65 to 75 days after planting. Sensitivity analysis revealed that even at a price of P0.50/kg, net profit is P5,000 per hectare per cropping. At the present price of P0.75/kg and with the possibility of planting at least 4 croppings per year for soilage and utilizing a planting density of 90,000 plants/ha, corn farmers will no longer consider corn as a poor man's crop in the cattle feedlot areas of Mindanao. Perhaps this can be done if the best options that corn farmers can take even during the high-risk period or dry months, particularly in feedlot cattle production areas
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