Author: Gary Veloso

MANILA, Philippines – Despite the challenges facing the swine industry, hog raising has been a profitable agricultural enterprise for Filipinos.

The P191 billion swine industry is the largest among the livestock and poultry industries of the country.

It is the second largest contributor to the country’s agriculture next to rice, accounting for 18.28 percent of the total value of agricultural production.

Swine production plays a major role in ensuring the country’s food security by providing about 60 percent of the total animal meat consumption of Filipinos.

The Philippine swine industry is ranked eighth in the world in terms of the volume of pork production and number of breeding sows. However, majority or two-thirds of the pigs in the Philippines are kept by smallhold pig raisers.

Despite being dynamic and technologically advanced, the local pig industry is still confronted with inefficiency of production due to low sow productivity, high mortality due to inefficient diagnostic tool, and lack of native pig genetic resource conservation, improvement and utilization initiative.

To ensure the continued growth of the hog industry,  the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) supported research and development  initiatives for swine through the Industry Strategic science and technology program (ISP).

The program aims to address the current problems by developing technologies and systems that are expected to improve the productivity and production efficiency as well as increase the overall competitiveness of the Philippine swine industry.

In partnership with the Accredited Swine Breeders Association of the Philippines, the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) and Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) have developed the application of gene markers in breeding and selection of breeder pigs.

This activity has optimized 10 gene marker protocols associated to high litter size, fast growth rate and meat qualities as well as seven markers for screening of genetic defects and disease resistance.

The adoption of the gene marker technology by the swine breeder farms is expected to increase productivity and efficiency in terms of number of pigs weaned and liveweight produced per sow per year.

To address the problem on high mortality due to diseases, researchers from the Central Luzon State University developed six LAMP protocols for common swine respiratory and gastrointestinal pathogens causing diseases.

CLSU forged memoranda of agreement with three Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratories of the Department of Agriculture institutionalizing the LAMP assays to be part of their routine diagnostic protocol.

A web-based group monitoring system for pigs was likewise established.  The data/image transmitted can be viewed real-time using the desktop computer in the farm’s office.

Apart from this, a smartphone application was developed that could  estimate body weight of pigs using captured images.

In response to the need to implement a pork traceability system from pen to plate, a computer software system was developed for tracking animals inside the farm and from the farm to the slaughterhouse gate using radiofrequency identification.

A DNA-based species authentication technology  that can detect meat from pig, cattle, goat and horse, was likewise developed. – The Philippine Star

by Carlo Antonio Chua

Spearheaded by Wonderzyme’s newest Sales Consultant; Danny Flores(DCF), we were able to reach a consignment agreement with Sta Lucia’s Purchasing Manager, for WZ’s productdisplay. Although 3 products were agreed upon, this means big news for the Wonderzyme

Team and Infarmco as a whole. We set a broader scale on our product awareness and customer reach thru this avenue, without spending a lot on advertisements and collaterals. This is a great way for the consumers to get to know more about the products we offer and the benefits it provides for everyone. As shown in the images above are our 3 products on display in their supermarket namely; Petzyme(pet soap), Nature’s Spray(citrus scent) and the Biozyme Hand Sanitizer. Our products can also be seen at the supermarket’s sale(bundle) section. For more info on this, or if you’d want to view the actual brochure, kindly ask 1MS for a copy.

The INFARMCO Group consisting of MS Schippers Philippines, Prime Veterinary Philippines Inc. and Wonderzyme, Inc. participated in the 26^th National Hog Convention and Trade Exhibits at the SMEX last March 30-April 1.  The convention is jointly organized by the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines, Inc. (ProPork) and the National Federation of Hog Farmers, Inc., the largest hog farmers groups in the Philippines.

The convention aims to highlight ideas and best practices from the best in the hog business.  It is a venue of opportunity for participants and experts to share their experiences and techniques.

This year’s HogCon carries the theme: “Change is Now, Pinoy Pork Wow na Wow!” which focuses on how the various industry players can all work together and pitch in to strengthen, protect and promote the local pork industry.

The HogCon has become an important tool for both veterans in the business and those planning join the sector because this is the only place where they can learn firsthand the ins and outs of the industry.

“Every year, we welcome thousands of participants who come to the event, eager to learn new things,” noted Ely Yu, ProPork Chairman. – with excerpts from Swine Magazine

INFARMCO Group Trading Companies held its 1^st Quarter Sales Conference last March 24-25 at the Linden Suites.  The conference, attended by all employees in the group, outlined the group’s sales and marketing objectives for the year 2017.  The INFARMCO Trading Companies consist of: MS Schippers Philippines, Prime Veterinary Philippines Inc., Northwest Basic Commodities Corporation and Europhil Swine Genetics, Inc.

 

INFARMCO MANAGEMENT CORP.

 

(Regularization Status)

Jesus San Jose                         February 01, 2017                   Audit Supervisor (Lvl IV-C)

Rachel Dequiña                       March 5, 2017                         Admin Assistant (Lvl II-C)

Ronalyn Severo                       March 6, 2017                         HR Assistant (Lvl II-C)

(Probationary Status)

Jeaneffer Borja                        February 13, 2017                   Junior Bookkeeper (Lvl II-C)

Serafin Miguel C. Peralta III  February 15, 2017                   Management Intern (IMC)

Michelle Sotingco                   March 6, 2017                         Accounting Officer (IMC)

 

(Trainee Status)

Gabriel Noel Baldado             February 13, 2017                   Junior Bookkeeper (Lvl II-C)

 

INTERNATIONAL FARMS CORP.

 

(Early Regularization Status)

Janet Pontanes                                   January 01, 2017                     Farm Technician (Lvl II-C)

Cynthia Andes                                    January 01, 2017                     Farm Technician (Lvl II-C)

Anisa Billones                                     January 01, 2017                     Farm Technician (Lvl II-C)

(Probationary Status)

Rodel H. Fajardo                              January 19, 2017                          Farm Technician (Lvl II-C)

Angelica M. Araneta                        January 19, 2017                           ZAP Encoder (Lvl II-C)

 

PIXELKIT INC.

(Probationary Status)

Ma. Kristine Carla Tuting             February 13, 2017                   Digital Marketing Specialist (Lvl II-C)

 

INTERNATIONAL SWINE GENETICS, INC.

(Probationary Status)

Rose Shell Luberas                          February 28, 2017                   Farm Admin Assistant (Lvl II-C)

 

CONSULTANTS

***WONDERZYME INC.

Malou Darwin                         Marketing Consultant

Michelle Rana                         R&D Regulatory and Q&A Consultant

Danny Flores                           Sales Head Consultant

 

***INFARMCO MANAGEMENT CORP.

Yreneo Lim (YL)                    Farm Management Services Department

Gary Veloso (GV)                  Corporate Communications Department

Ely Yu (EY)                            Farm Performance Audit Department

Pan Zhen (PZ)                         Trading Department

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has developed a DNA technology that can identify genetically superior pigs and help local swine breeders earn more.

Synan Baguio said the technology allows breeders to identify pigs that grow faster, heavier and produce more meat; those which are prone to stress and die before slaughter time, and those which are likely to sire or sow more piglets.

Baguio, officer-in-charge of the livestock research division of the DOST Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), said the research started in May 2013 under the Swine Genomics R&D for the Swine Industry.

“We can now help those who want to go into swine breeding to choose the best breeding animal they can buy to increase their chances of a profitable operation,” Baguio told The STAR.

By analyzing the DNA of the pigs, swine breeders can increase more efficiently their livestock and improve the quality of their animals.

Science Secretary Mario Montejo said that the completion of the genomics R&D on swine was one of the DOST’s agriculture and aquaculture’s major breakthroughs in the past years.

“We are reaping the benefits of the various R&D projects we have invested in. We are confident it will be a big help to our farmers and contribute greatly to the national effort to ensure food security,” Montejo added.

He said the project placed the Philippines in a better position to capitalize on its being declared a foot and mouth disease (FMD)-free country. – The Philippine Star

The US government has finally accepted that cholesterol is not a ‘nutrient of concern’, doing a U-turn on their warnings to us to stay away from high-cholesterol foods since the 1970s to avoid heart disease and clogged arteries.

This  means eggs, butter, full-fat dairy products, nuts, coconut oil and meat have now been classified as “safe” and have been officially removed from the “nutrients of concern” list.

The US Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for updating the guidelines every five years, stated in its findings for 2015: “Previously, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended that cholesterol intake be limited to no more than 300 mg/day.

“The 2015 DGAC will not bring forward this recommendation because available evidence shows no appreciable relationship between consumption of dietary cholesterol and serum (blood) cholesterol, consistent with the AHA/ACC (American Heart Association / American College of Cardiology)

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee will, in response, no longer warn people against eating high-cholesterol foods and will instead focus on sugar as the main substance of dietary concern.

US cardiologist Dr Steven Nissen said: “It’s the right decision. We got the dietary guidelines wrong. They’ve been wrong for decades.”

“When we eat more foods rich in this compound, our bodies make less. If we deprive ourselves of foods high in cholesterol – such as eggs, butter, and liver – our body revs up .

The Real Truth about Cholesterol

The majority of the cholesterol in you is produced by your liver. Your brain is primarily made up from cholesterol.  It is essential for nerve cells to function. Cholesterol is the basis for the creation of all the steroid hormones, including estrogen, testosterone, and corticosteroids.  High cholesterol in the body is a clear indication
which shows the liver of the individual is in good health.

Dr. George V. Mann M.D. associate director of the Framingham study for the  incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors states: “Saturated fats and cholesterol in the diet are not the cause of coronary heart disease. That myth is the greatest deception of the century, perhaps of any century”

Cholesterol is the biggest medical scam of all time.

There is no such thing as bad Cholesterol!

So you can stop trying to change your Cholesterol level. Studies prove beyond a doubt, cholesterol doesn’t cause heart disease and it won’t stop a heart attack.  The majority of people that have heart attacks have normal cholesterol levels.

OUR BODY NEEDS 950 mg OF CHOLESTEROL FOR DAILY METABOLISM AND  THE LIVER IS THE MAIN PRODUCER.

ONLY 15% OF CHOLESTEROL IS BEING  DONATED BY THE FOOD WE EAT.  If the fat content is less in our food we eat, our liver
Got to work more to maintain the level at 950 mg.  If the cholesterol level is high in our body, it shows the liver is working perfect.

Experts say that there is nothing like LDL or HDL.
…………..
…..  Cholesterol is not found to create block any where in human body.

by Malou Darwin, WZI Marketing Consultant

 

 

January of every year is declared as Zero Waste Month as per Republic Act 9003, also known as Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

The DENR –EWB (Environmental Management Bureau) and the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) led this year’s 3RD Eco-Waste Management Summit and 2017 Environmental Celebration held last 26-29 January 2017 at the QC Memorial Circle.

The 4-day event was hosted by the Quezon City government in partnership with the MMDA, DILG , DOST, Climate Change Commission and local government agencies participated in by LGUs, Business sectors, Non-Govt Organizations, Academe, Media, Natural & Environment Advocates & Consumers.

WZI showcased its natural products by participating in a Booth exhibit together with other business sectors.

MS Schippers of the Netherlands held a seminar for customers of INFARMCO Group last January 24 at the Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila.  Dubbed HYCARE: An Innovative Approach to Livestock Farming the talk was conducted by Guus Verhaag, R&D Manager of MS Schippers.

The seminar focused on MS Schippers HYCARE Concept.  HYCARE is derived from the words hygiene and care.  HYCARE is a hygiene management program that has four essential steps namely: 1) Personal Hygiene, 2) Cleaning and Disinfection, 3) Water Optimization and 4) Fly Control.  For these four critical steps Mr. Verhaag highlighted several essential products in achieving successful hygiene management program such as MS Topfoam ALK (cleaning agent), MS Kiemkill (disinfectant), MS Oxyclean (water sanitizer & pipe cleaner), MS Goldfeed (organic acidifier), MS Maggot Death (maggot killer) and MS Aza-fly (adult fly killer).

Mr. Verhaag also shared the positive results when using HYCARE.  He showed that use of HYCARE Concept resulted in increased ADG, lower FCR, lower mortalities, lower feed costs, lower antibiotic use and reduction of infection pressure.  This is overall, he said, leads to substantial savings for the farm.  Mr. Verhaag especially noted that HYCARE can reduce over dependence on antibiotics.

Throughout the talk Mr. Verhaag also answered questions from the attendees who were curious to know more of the details of the program.  Ms. Natalie Teng, GM of Schippers Philippines Inc., is confident that the HYCARE Concept will be very well accepted by our customers.

 

Wonderzyme, Inc. (WZI) has extended the SRF (sales referral fee) promo for EP (Eliminator Plus), which ended last December 31, for another six (6) months (up to June 30, 2017). All employees and members of the INFARMCO Group of companies may participate in this promo.  The SRF is a 5% commission awarded for every sale made of its core product EP regardless of quantity.  The SRF will be based on the SRP of EP. For more details of this exciting promo you may get in touch with Ms. Marissa Cruz of WZI.

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