BREEDING AND FEEDING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF DAIRY BUFFALO FARMERS DURING THE DIFFERENT PHASES OF THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE-19 PANDEMIC IN GENERAL TRIAS, CAVITE, PHILIPPINES.

Forty-seven dairy buffalo farmers from General Trias, Cavite, Philippines were interviewed using constructed questionnaires to describe their breeding and feeding management practices before and after the ease of the pandemic. The problems encountered and government services that were provided were also included. The stages of the pandemic were divided into three phases namely: pre-pandemic or Phase 1 (before and until 12 March 2020); the peak of the pandemic or Phase 2 (12 March 2020 - 28 February 2022); and Alert Level 1 or Phase 3 (01 March 2022 - 31 December 2022). Results showed a decreased use of AI and bulls in Phase 2 due to lockdowns and travel restrictions that temporarily hindered the breeding services in the locality. However, no changes were observed in the price per service for both breeding systems throughout the three phases. Most respondents (Phases 1; 63.83%, 2; 61.70%, and 3; 65.96%) practiced both pure grazing and cut-and-carry systems to feed their buffaloes. However, 59.58% did not add different types of feeds in Phase 2 because of limited mobility in the area. Moreover, the increasing price of feeds in Phases 1 (Php 21.13), 2 (Php 24.67), and 3 (Php 26.26) was attributed to limited transport. Meanwhile, the difficulty of harvesting grasses and buying feeds were the major challenges in feeding the buffaloes which was evident in Phase 2. In conclusion, the pandemic temporarily hindered the breeding and feeding activities of the respondents in Phase 2 but they slowly recovered when the travel restrictions and strict lockdowns were lifted in Phase 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]