Assessment of productivity in pasture lease ranches in Northern Mindanao [Philippines]

Bukidnon [Philippines] ranches had better (P0.01) soil condition than in Misamis Oriental [Philippines] in terms of nitrogen content, organic matter, soil phosphorus, sand, and clay fractions, and soil bulk density. Pasture leases in both provinces had slopes ranging from 15-47 percent and averaged 40 percent. Bukidnon ranches had higher (P0.01) year-total fresh pasture yields than in Misamis Oriental. Herbage air dry matter in Bukidnon was estimated at 4.17 t/ha and 2.46 t/ha in Misamis Oriental; and 3.3 t/ha for all ranches. In terms of botanical composition of species in pasture leases, Themeda triandra and Imperata cyclindrica contributed the most to forage yield. In Bukidnon their respective contributions were 36.48 percent and 25.6 percent whereas in Misamis Oriental the proportions were lower (16.25 percent and 15.00 percent). Pasture leases in Bukidnon averaged 217 ha and was slightly larger than in Misamis Oriental (200 ha); overall, pasture leases averaged 209 ha. Average stock inventory was 85 heads in Bukidnon, 45 heads in Misamis Oriental, and 65 heads overall. Breeding cows and heifers comprised 64 percent of the herds in Bukidnon ranches and 60 percent in Misamis Oriental. Bukidnon ranches had 7.1 percent (1:14) bull:cow ratio and 11.1 percent (1:9) in Misamis Oriental. Average weights of stocks were: bull, 382 kg; cow, 281 kg; young bull, 231 kg; and heifer, 165 kg. Bukidnon ranches had higher (P0.01) cattle productivity than those of Misamis Oriental in terms of stocking rate, calving rate, weaning rate, and extraction rate. Mortality in ranches was higher in Bukidnon than those in Misamis Oriental. Based on herbage air dry matter, carrying capacity of ranches in Bukidnon was estimated at 1.39 AU and 0.82 AU in Misamis Oriental. Among many identified problems/constraints, the first five major ones were: squatters, summer feed shortage, grassland fire, peace and order situation and lack of support services