It’s in the genes: the science behind Cagayan Valley goat and sheep expo

Why do show-winning animals win? At the recently held 2nd Cagayan Valley Goat and Sheep Expo, the secret is in their genes!

The adjudged best goats and sheep in the conformation show during the Expo have superior genes through research and development on genetics, and breeding and selection supported with good health care and management.

“Each breed of goat has a standard. For example, the Boer goat is an animal of quality with balance and symmetry and a strong and vigorous appearance, with a body that is fleshy and boldly three-dimensional – that is long, deep and wide,” explained Dr. Synan S. Baguio, senior science research specialist at PCARRD.

Baguio added “every part of the animal’s body is explicitly described in its breed standards. Deviations from these standards are considered either faults or a disqualification depending on how such deviation downgrades the animals’ performance and physical attributes,” sharing his insights on scientific judging of show animals.

The Expo is a good example of how science and technology (S&T) is well appreciated by ordinary people, by goat and sheep raisers, the academe and animal technicians.

In fact, S&T is also evident in the manner by which handlers raised their animals. Scientific, indeed, were the methods that PCARRD and partner R&D institutes passed on to the local technicians of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 2 (DA-RFU 2) prior to the expo. Such methods eventually found their way to the local goat and sheep raisers.

The two training courses, which were conducted and cosponsored by PCARRD and hosted by the DA-RFU2 prior to the expo imparted to participants the principles behind small ruminant breeding and selection; the standards of breed and show animal handling and judging; and assessed the participants’ skills through hands-on practices.

Backed by S&T, Cagayan Valley secured the success of its 2nd Expo and earned for itself positive recognition for the pioneering and trailblazing effort in promoting a science-based goat and sheep industry in Region 2. This is expected to translate to premium prices for and preference to high quality genetics, which manifest in good physical attributes. After all, “genetics is king” in ensuring the top performance of future animal generations.

Organizers, including the DA-RFU 2, the Isabela Sheep and Goat Raisers Development Cooperative, the Isabela State University, and the Cagayan Valley Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium intend to further improve the succeeding expos through S&T-based initiatives. (Dante T. Facundo, S&T Media Service)