June 2, 2014
South Korean firms may build feed mills in the Philippines
Two South Korean companies that have already been sourcing corn silage from the Philippines are looking to build feed mills in the Philippines, according to Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala.
Alcala said the companies are encouraged to build feed milling facilities in the country because of the availability of various feed ingredients in local farms, including copra meal, coconut oil and fish meal, reported ABS-CBN news.
In April last year, the Philippines sent an initial shipment of 24 tonnes of corn silage for cattle to Busan, South Korea, which was part of the 15,000 of silage shipment valued at PHP75 million (US$1.71 million) for export until December 2013.
Silage is made by harvesting forage crops such as corn, legumes and various kinds of grass at early maturity. These are then chopped finely and stored in silos to ferment. The resulting product is a sour-smelling, succulent feed for cattle.
Silage is the preferred cattle feed because it is highly digestible and has good nutritional value. Preparation is also easily mechanised and ingredients are easily to source. Exporting corn silage is seen to increase farmers' income by 20%.