PH gets 1,419 pregnant dairy cattle from Australia to boost milk production

The National Dairy Authority (NDA) resumed its importation of dairy cattle after receiving 1,419 pregnant cows from Australia to boost the country’s milk production.

“After almost three years, the NDA has resumed the importation of dairy cattle and we now have a source of good quality animals to be dispersed to farmers by way of a grant to help expand the country’s dairy herd and increase local milk production,” said NDA administrator Marcus Andaya in a statement.

“More importantly, this initiative will provide qualified farmers and cooperatives with opportunities to grow their herds, produce more milk, and strengthen their livelihoods,” he added.

The importation is composed of Holstein-Jersey, purebred Holstein, and Holstein-Jersey cross breeds, the NDA said.

The agency added that a total of 150 cattle will undergo quarantine and acclimatization at the NDA stock farm in General Tinio, Nueva Ecija, while another 150 will be assigned to Ubay, Bohol, and the remaining 1,119 heads will be stationed at the Del Monte Feed Lot in Bukidnon.

With the importation from Australia, the NDA is expecting the herd population to grow to 2,527 and contribute an estimated 5.9 million liters of milk in 2027.

This projected output is equivalent to about 20% of the targeted cattle milk production for the year, the agency said.

As of June 2026, milk production rose 21.2% year-on-year to 25.38M liters. Meanwhile, the national dairy herd grew 6.5%, rising from 155,662 heads in 2025 to 167,785 in 2026.

“The initiative will also benefit 176 individual coconut farmers, cooperatives and associations under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), providing them with opportunities to diversify their livelihoods through dairy farming,” the NDA said. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News