MASBATE CITY, Masbate (PIA) –We’ve heard about industries that have come and gone due to changes in consumer preferences and technological advances. Now read about the centuries-old industry that is unlikely to disappear in our lifetime.
The cattle ranching in Masbate provides people with food, a bare necessity for anyone’s survival. Unlike movie theater, analogue and postal telecommunications, beef has a special place in people’s diet and this means demand will always be high. For this reason, the cattle industry is less susceptible to economic disruptions or changes in consumer behavior, as beef is always in demand.
In his book “Las Islas de Masbate: A Beacon of Faith, A Fortress of Resistance,” historian Danilo Gerona said the dawn of cattle raising in Masbate dated back to the 16th century when the Spaniards transported cows and horses to the Philippines.
Between the 16th and 19th centuries, the Spanish colonizers brought cattle to Masbate via the Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade route between Mexico and the Philippines.
A ranch hand steers the herds of cattle in Milagros town, Masbate, Philippines. (Photo by Sese Brahmans)
With its vast gently rolling hills and sprawling grassland providing a perfect ground for cattle ranching, Masbate did not need an extended period before its fledgling cattle industry enjoyed a steady increase in population and popularity.
After World War 2, cattle ranchers began cross-breeding native cows with foreign breeds by importing genetic material from Australia.
With this new mix of breeds, beef cattle numbers increased rapidly through the 1960s and 1970s to reach an estimated peak of 100,000 head in 1973.
In 1974, however, armed thieves began raiding ranches and fleeing with dozens of live cows.
Crossbred cows in Milagros town, Masbate, Philippines. (Photo from Jadeco Farms-Masbate Cattle Ranch)
The rampant incidents of cattle rustling left many ranchers wondering if they were at risk of falling victims to rustlers.
Locking gates, pastures and corrals and permanently identifying livestock and equipment could help deter cattle theft, but unfortunately, they proved insufficient.
“When my father purchased the ranch, he planned to continue raising cattle for many years. But rustlers were a clear and present danger to us, so he shut down our cattle ranch,” said Dr. Hernando Dorongon, chief government veterinarian for Masbate.
By the time cattle rustling went down as a mere part of “wild, wild west” history, just a fifth of the original cattle population remained grazing in fewer ranches.
Jadeco Farms-Masbate Cattle Ranch is one of only a handful of ranchers that have mechanized their cattle production. (Photo from Jadeco Farms-Masbate Cattle Ranch)
In spite of government initiatives to strengthen its development, the cattle industry has never succeeded in turning back the clock.
As of December 2021, the total number of cattle in Masbate amounted to 60,596 head, with cows raised in backyards included.
“Peace and order remains a problem but it’s not the only problem. The cattle industry in Masbate is facing many challenges today,” Dr. Dorongon said.
Although cattle farming is one of the safest industries for investment, only a handful of ranchers have put their money on machines to modernize their cattle production.
A cattle herd in Milagros town, Masbate, Philippines (Photo from Sese Brahmans)
“Most of our ranchers continue to practice open grazing,” Dr. Dorongon said. “They just allow their animals to roam around and consume grass or plants on site, that’s why the cows are undernourished.”
“Grazing lands should be plowed using a tractor and planted to introduce domesticated native forage species,” he added.
Horse riders search for the whole herd of cattle over the hills in Milagros town, Masbate Philippines. (Photo from Sese Brahmans)
Compounding this issue is the image problem that confronts the beef industry. The consuming public has accepted as factual the unfair accusation from political activists that consuming the red meat of cows is detrimental to human health because of the saturated fat and cholesterol it contains.
It is apparent that beef has an important place in the human diet. On average, a person in the Philippines consumes 69 grams of beef.
Dorongon warned that “if these challenges are not addressed, our favorite beef tapa, bulalo and beef steak will become unaffordable.”
Masbate Chief Veterinarian Hernando P. Dorongon (L) fields questions during an interview with PIA in Masbate.
“Cows are walking protein factories. The industry existed for as long as we can remember and my bet is that come what may, it shall continue to exist in Masbate,” he added. (PIA5/Masbate)
