Peter A Windsor DVSc PhD GradCertEdStud Professor of Livestock Health and Production Large Ruminant Research and Development Workshop Developing a biosecure, market-driven large ruminant beef production system in Lao PDR 29 30 July 2013 Vientiane, Lao PDR Opening Remarks Professor Peter Windsor, Ms Lynda Worthaisong, Dr Bounkhoung Khambounheung Introductory remarks reflected on the successes of the recently completed ACIAR project, Best practice health and husbandry of cattle in buffalo, Lao PDR, and stressed the importance of building on the lessons learned from this project. The concepts of Food Security, One Health and Rural Poverty were briefly mentioned as drivers for ongoing efforts, with a focus on transboundary disease control and improved productivity. The ultimate project goal is to meet increased demand for red meat through effective marketing, providing pathways out of poverty for Lao smallholder farmers. National Strategic Plan for developing Lao large ruminant production Mr Phanthayong This address provided an overview of cattle and buffalo production in Lao PDR. Major constraints to production discussed, included: limited land zoning for livestock development; the prevalence of low- input/low- output systems; lack of sufficient land and labour; animal disease outbreaks; inadequate vaccination production and delivery; and high mortality and poor growth in young animals. The overall targets for large ruminant production are increased production and export of livestock commodities. Important areas for future efforts include: zoning and regional strategies; breeding (improving indigenous breeds); feed provision; animal health and disease prevention through vaccination, improved diagnostic labs, border checkpoints, village veterinary workers [VVWs] roles; improved extension services; and addressing economic and human resource shortfalls. Our concern in discussions was the continued focus on importing new genetics and cross and artificial breeding, 'home grown' vaccine production and dairy production, lack of understanding of the role of biosecurity in disease control, and absence of strategic
discussion on how to achieve many goals such improved laboratory diagnostic services and animal movement controls and compliance. National Strategic Research Plan for Large Ruminant Development Dr Aloun Phonvisay Priorities for livestock development were discussed, with a focus on feed provision (for example, through forages and by- product crops), breed management (including the identification of strategic areas for various breeds using GIS), and marketing and processing. The importance of research and development occurring in tandem was stressed, with a focus on the need for practical, applied research. It was concluded that, despite the current crisis of beef production in Lao PDR due to demand exceeding supply, there are opportunities to capture increasing demand. ACIAR and University of Sydney research objectives Prof. Peter Windsor The global importance of Food Security and One Health strategies were emphasised, along with the need for research for development to inform investment decisions (rather than in the absence of research) in order to create sustainable change. Biosecurity was discussed, addressing the misunderstanding that biosecurity equates to sanitation or hygiene. Animal disease was stressed to be the result of a failure of biosecurity, rather than simple vaccine deficiency. The link between biosecurity and a market- driven approach was stressed and shown to be interrelated, with more secure markets requiring control of transboundary disease. The pivotal role of the smallholder farmer in ongoing projects was also highlighted (with 95% of global farms <10 ha, and 85% <2 ha) with the largely under- utilised potential of the smallholder farmer offering food security solutions (rather than pursue the intensive industry models of neighbouring countries). A great need in Laos was improved breeding management (prior to pursuit of 'imported' genetic improvement or advanced reproductive technologies), and developing strategies appropriate for the local context (rather than attempt to cut- and- paste systems from elsewhere). Insights gained from the FMD vaccination programs were discussed, with recognition (by farmers) of the value of biosecurity, the importance of avoiding a handout mentality, and the value of developing relationships between all stakeholder groups (eg OIE) were all seen as valuable lessons from previous projects. It was concluded that interdisciplinary learning will be key to the success of ongoing research efforts.
Regional perspective on trends in large ruminant trading and implications Dr Russell Bush An overview of the cattle and buffalo industry in Laos and Cambodia was initially presented, including discussion of the key constraints being faced, such as: low productivity due to low input/output management (including limited targeted nutrition); poor reproductive performance (including limited selective mating or weaning); and the high risk of disease (FMD, HS, Fascioliosis, Toxocariasis). The increasing regional demand for beef was also raised, and the question posed can Laos and Cambodia meet the meat demand? It was argued that this increased demand represents a significant opportunity for both countries, with direct impacts on food security, rural poverty, gender and education, livelihoods, and business opportunity and development. An update on recent research (based on surveys of livestock traders in Northern Laos) was presented, providing valuable data on farm gate valuation statistics, supply chain structures, and product sale prices. The top five issues that traders raised were: supply being unable to meet demand; high competition; price fluctuation; poor access to animals (particularly in the wet season); and high taxes, levies, and movement fees. The need for localised (region- specific) solutions and further research was noted. Key opportunities identified from this work included expanding current knowledge to scale out to wider communities, integrating smallholder production with value chain knowledge, and increasing transboundary disease control with value chain knowledge. Background about the Animal Science and Veterinary Degrees at NUOL Dr Oudom Phonekhampheng This presentation included a brief summary of the degrees offered through the Faculty of Agriculture at the National University of Laos. The curriculum and structure of each degree was outlined. Background information about Faculty development at Savannakhet University Dr Bounheung Ninchaleune The history of the recently established Savannakhet University was presented, along with information related to its current location, facilities, and student numbers. Lao PDR s increasing requirement for animal science and veterinary workers was discussed. However, in spite of some overseas support, lecturers in these fields are lacking. Capacity building through training programs for district extension staff, students, and farmers
Dr Syseng Khounsy This presentation included discussion of the importance of capacity building to the sustainability of LDP initiatives, and outlined the ways in which capacity building had been integrated into previous projects. Capacity building was viewed as important on all levels from department staff to farmers. Its value was discussed in relation to its connection to research. Effective capacity building, it was argued, feeds into research projects, with results immediately applied. Biosecurity training for farmers (along with traders, VVWs, and district staff) in northern provinces was reported to have covered: risk assessment; movement controls; quarantine; prophylaxis (including vaccination); cleaning and disinfection; and surveillance and reporting. Raising public awareness with posters has also been used. It was concluded that capacity building is vital to all stages of research and development projects, particularly in their early phases. Update of LDP and the FMD vaccination campaign Dr Syseng Khounsy The FMD and HS vaccination program was outlined, including brief discussion of the strategic focus on FMD hotspots. A case study of an FMD (type O) outbreak in Houyxay was presented, with a number of recommendations stemming from this experience. Prompt and decisive measures (namely quarantine and isolation, restriction of animal movements, restriction of animal slaughter and meat sales, ring vaccination in surrounding villages, and sample collection and testing) were seen as a key to containment of the outbreak. Current passive disease surveillance was said to be successful although specific strategies will be needed to better respond to future outbreaks. It was concluded that in disease outbreaks, prompt action can be effective in limiting disease spread. Further, both local capacity building and collaboration of all stakeholders are important for the success of disease outbreak responses, and for the vaccination program in general. FMD socioeconomic surveys Mr Sonevilay Nampanya The results of a study based on farmer surveys were presented, showing that FMD has significant (and often severe) economic impacts on smallholder farmers. Factors besides loss of productivity, such as the costs of varying treatments, were also discussed. Choice of treatment (which included the widespread use of antibiotics in the Luang Prabang province) was shown to affect overall losses from FMD. It was concluded from this study that the growing contribution of large ruminants to farmer income is
increasingly dependent on enhanced disease risk management. This observation echoed the clear link between biosecurity and a market- driven approach raised in other presentations. Developing tools for measurement in large ruminant research in Laos Dr Russell Bush The key message of this presentation was the importance of measurement in development interventions. Measurement allows farmers to manage production (and influence profit), and provides feedback to allow 'scaling out' of interventions proven to be effective. Again the inter- dependent nature of research and development was emphasised with two case studies illustrating the importance of measurement presented. The first discussed the development of a weight tape for indigenous cattle and buffalo, which has applications for measuring gains/losses over the wet/dry seasons, for fattening operations, and for reproductive management. The weight tape s importance in improving farmer profit was highlighted in field day demonstrations where traders were shown to be underestimating weights by up to 100kg. The second case study examined the use of knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP) surveys, which allow monitoring of changes following interventions. The addition of socioeconomic impacts ( KAPS ) was an important change to allow for evaluation of 'impact'. It was argued that the quality of the survey determines the quality of data obtained, and therefore the quality of conclusions that can be drawn. Longitudinal large ruminant survey study Mr Sonevilay Nampanya This address presented findings of a three year long longitudinal survey of around 230 smallholder cattle and buffalo farmers from the provinces of Luang Prabang, Xieng Khoung, and Hua Phan. The study objective was to establish baseline production parameters for large ruminant production, including live weight, average daily weight gain, and reproductive measures such as calving rate and inter- calving interval. Results showed significant differences in cattle and buffalo weights between villages, and a seasonal reduction in weight was also observed (most likely the result of seasonal fluctuations in feed availability). Calving rates and inter- calving intervals were found to be poor for both cattle and buffalo. It was also found through this study that the participatory applied research method was effective, and resulted in good cooperation from farmers. However, it was suggested that this participatory approach takes time,
and the shift from farmers being livestock keepers to livestock producers is likely to be a slow one. Trends in large ruminant trading and implications Dr Aloun Phonvisay The following areas were summarised: changes in livestock marketing strategies; trends in cattle numbers (by province); marketing regulations for trade between provinces and internationally; and trading spheres and marketing channels of the district trader. Information collected in recent studies was presented, relating to meat and animal product prices, along with detailed slaughtering statistics (by district). The implications of farmer perceptions of weight were discussed. Farmers were found to frequently underestimate the weight of their animals, leading to profit loss. The variation in trade and marketing systems between districts was highlighted. It was concluded that smallholder farmers will be able to increase revenue by understanding relevant pricing mechanisms and market structures, particularly if improved farmer bargaining power through the formation of farmer groups can be developed. Developing improved farming and marketing systems in rainfed regions of southern Laos Dr Tassilo Tiemann To better understand constraints for livestock work in Savannakhet, this presentation from the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) project was included, with the aim to identify livestock feeding and management options to improve livestock systems, and to identify appropriate forage species to achieve this. The project, though broad in its initial objectives, ultimately focused on cattle, for reasons of their relative abundance in the target region, simple management, ease of growing appropriate feed, and, importantly, high market potential. A number of lessons arising from the project were discussed. The importance of finding committed individuals to work with was underlined, particularly in an environment in which alternate projects (in other industries eg mining) are often perceived as more profitable. A second key lesson was the value of capacity building, and the importance of including basic training in early phases. The involvement of local students in the project had positive aspects (students, being constantly present, acted as the project s ambassadors within the villages), though obtaining data of publishable quality through their work proved difficult. The obvious link between the confidence of district staff and the response of farmers was also noted.
Outline of the ACIAR Project Proposal Prof. Peter Windsor An overview of the current constraints to livestock was initially presented. Firstly, transboundary and endemic diseases were emphasised as significant limiters of international/regional trade and production, with FMD clearly by far the most important. Toxocara and Fasciola were discussed as parasites detrimental to productivity and though relatively easy to treat, but poorly recognised and understood. Secondly, the major productivity constraints revealed by previous work included poor use of nutritional resources, plus the almost complete lack of breeding management; addressing both are critical for future beef industry development. Finally, the poor understanding by smallholder farmers of pricing and marketing mechanisms and opportunities continues to limit profit opportunities. Following this, an overview of discussions from the final workshop of the previous project was presented, indicating that: biosecurity is a critical concept to communicate to all stakeholders; that every project should have some lab involvement (and that basic lab equipment used well is a far more important objective than the use of donated advanced equipment that has little prospects of ever being effective eg gene sequencer); that tools to make feed management more sustainable (such as equipment to aid in silage production) are required; that parasitology must be a consideration in all ruminant projects; and that group management and collaborative learning must be encouraged among smallholders. Overall, it was emphasised that capacity building will be critical to the long- term success of any project. Participants were then introduced to the AH- 2011-068 project proposal including a revisit to leading constraints as established at the BBHH project completion workshop in July 2012, and the genesis of ideas as generated through the ACIAR in- country consultation process, in early 2012. The draft objectives, activities and outcomes were discussed and 3 groups were formed to review these and identify the key issues that they would like the new project to address. Group work streams were formed to (a) evaluate the suitability of the project aims and proposed activities, and (b) discuss potential locations and partner organisations/individuals for the project. Streams were created for animal health, production/quality, and breeding management, each with the ultimate goal of improved marketing for improved livelihoods. Outcomes of breakout group work were:
Group 1 Health Objective Requires focus on FMD, HS & parasites, especially Toxocara, Fasciola & external parasites, although concerns on toxic risks of cropping insecticides and fertilisers on livestock in Xayabouli particularly. Important to include training programs for staff and farmers that includes 30% theory and 70% practical work. Need public education on importance of vaccination and biosecurity in managing TAD risks. Group 2 Production Objective Requires focus on breeding management and nutrition. Additional data on reproductive performance is needed (eg calving rates & intervals) plus reproductive and growth performance of different breeds and hybrids. Need knowledge of how to generate uptake of reproductive interventions (eg breeding soundness, bull to cow ratios, castration, bull selection, eventually AI). Most important issue for growth is quality and quantity of nutrition in the dry season, so need to extend forage plantations, the growing season of forages, and establish fodder conservation, especially silage. Wider adoption of fattening activities needs promotion, especially by champion farmers. Group 3 Marketing Objective Identification of a dynamic pricing mechanism for beef animals and products plus established marketing options for producers and traders linked to consumer preferences is needed. Work on optimum times for fattening to achieve various market 'specifications' is needed as are studies on meat yield due to concerns they are far less for Lao cattle (~30%) than what would be expected from cattle elsewhere (~50%). There is a need for quality meat processing with improved slaughterhouse operations although is probably outside the scope of this project.