American Brahman in the Philippines: a synthesis of genetic studies towards a National Cattle Breeding Program
2008
Bondoc, O.L.
This paper presents the milestones related to the origins, importations, and uses of American Brahman Cattle in the national genetic improvement program for beef cattle in the Philippines. Specifically, genetic researches were reviewed regarding testing and selection program (i.e., design of animal performance recording systems, estimation of breeding values, and derivation of local selection index), mating systems (i.e., upgrading program and crossbreeding trials), and the application of reproductive biotechnologies (i.e., artificial insemination, multiple ovulation and embryo transfer and related technologies) in American Brahman cattle in the Philippines. While special breeding programs may have to be organized for specific breeding and production goals, a common program should be consolidated on the national level. Modern breeding technologies are thus recommended to be utilized, first to improve the narrow and poor breeder base and secondly, to hasten the slow reproductive rates and long generation intervals in beef cattle production. The University of the Philippines Foundation Inc. (UPFI)-sponsored professorial chair lecture also highlights the contributions of Dr. Orville L. Bondoc to the development of a national cattle breeding program through his numerous accomplishments in the conduct of local research and development projects on American Brahman cattle in the Philippines. In particular, Dr. Bondoc pioneered the applications of Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) animal models to compute individual estimated breeding values (EBVs) in American Brahman cattle as the standard approach to identify outstanding breeding stock accurately. He was also the first to report the results of a local genetic evaluation of American Brahman cattle using progeny test data and developed a pedigree indexing procedure to predict performance of imported young American Brahman cattle. The undergraduate and graduate researches of his students in animal breeding/genetics led to the derivation of local selection indexes for beef cattle in the Philippines. He conceptualized and implemented the 'Bull 99' breeding scheme - a community-based cattle breeding program using American Brahman bulls for small holder farmers. Dr. Bondoc has also incorporated the use of artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET) technologies in cattle nucleus breeding schemes through computer simulations and limited on-farm trials.
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