Every morning, Chen Mao-chiang gets up to inspect the cattle penned at the Provincial Livestock Research Institute (PLRI). Not until he is satisfied that every animal is in good health will he go to his office to continue his research and administrative work.
Brought up in a farming family in Miaoli County in north-central Taiwan, Chen decided to enter the Department of Animal Husbandry to pursue his chosen career. After his graduation in 1965, he worked at the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Forestry for two years before he was transferred to the headquarters of the PLRI in Hsinhua to conduct research work with a foreign specialist. The following year, with the financial aid of the Food and Agriculture Organization, he was able to study at the Florida State University in the United States, and obtained his master's degree after a year and three months. To continue his research in this field, he won a scholarship from the National Science Council, which allowed him to obtain his Ph. D. degree in the field of animal nutrition after three years of study at the Purdue University. Since returning to Taiwan, Dr. Chen has dedicated all his efforts to promoting the dairy cattle industry. It is not surprising that he has earned the title of "Doctor of Cattle" from grateful farmers.
Increasing milk production is the main goal of Taiwan's dairy farmers. Basing his reasoning on the premise that improving feed is the most direct way to achieve this goal, Dr. Chen started to conduct a series of tests and research projects on a wide variety of forage crops. To observe the animals' digestive processes more closely, Chen used a "Rumen Fistulated Cattle Experiment" which involved inserting a plastic "window" in the cow's stomach. For the experiment to be a success, the selected animals had to be twins so it could be ascertained exactly which one produced the most milk fat on a given forage diet. By analyzing the protein, fat, and fiber, and the amounts of carbon, nitrogen, calcium and magnesium in the food by means of sophisticated instruments, Dr. Chen tried to find out which combination would provide the most nutrition for the cattle.
Located in the subtropical zone, Taiwan can sustain perennial fodder crops which have a great variety of by-products. Since many of them are not available in the highly developed countries, Dr. Chen and his associates have had to experiment on the fistulated cattle to determine the chemical constituents and nutrition value of these products. By using a computer to figure out the best foodstuffs for dairy cows, Dr. Chen has been able to increase milk production from 10.74 kg. per day/ head to 14.75 kg.
In addition, to replace such expensive foodstuffs as powdered legume and potatoes, Dr. Chen taught the dairymen to use a combination of urea fertilizer instead. He pointed out that the nutrition contained in 1 kg. of urea and 6 kg. of corn is equal to that in 6 kg. of powdered legume. The former costs only NT$47, however, compared with NT$600 for the latter.
As a result of the introduction of artificial insemination to Taiwan in 1957, the semen of one bull can impregnate 12,000 cows. Dr. Chen has also been developing the ideal forage crop to accelerate the growth rate of bulls, which are mainly used for beef.
In addition to his research work, Dr. Chen teaches at the Provincial Chia-yi Institute of Agriculture and works as advisor for several fodder companies. Recently, he has been promoted to be head of the Yangmei branch station of the PLRI, which will allow him to develop his talents in this field more fully.
Dairy farmers have been greatly assisted through dairy herd improvement. The dairy cow specialized area in Liuying is among one of the best in Taiwan. The 50-odd families in this area have some 1,400 head of dairy cattle which have been improved through the assistance of technicians and specialists in the Hsinhua PLRI. With their willingness to accept new technology and new ideas, the farmers have achieved significant progress.
Wu Yu-huei is one the most successful dairy farmers. In less than five years, he has been able to raise 60 dairy cows producing a total of 500 to 600 kgs. of milk a day yielding a net income of more than NT$100,000 a month. "I appreciate the assistance of all the specialists," he said.
[Picture Caption]
Using a "Rumen Fistulated Cattle Experiment," which involves inserting a plastic "window" in the cow's stomach, Chen takes out some digested forage diet and analyzes the protein, milk fat, fiber and other elements in the food.
1. With the modernization of the dairy cattle industry in Taiwan, up-to-date machinery has replaced manpower in milking cows. 2-5 With the assistance of technicians and specialists from the Provincial Livestock Research Institute, dairy farmers have gained maximum profits with minimum investment. 6-7 In fewer than five years, Wu Yu-huei has been able to raise 60 dairy cows. He is one of the many successful dairy farmers in Taiwan.
Using a "Rumen Fistulated Cattle Experiment," which involves inserting a plastic "window" in the cow's stomach, Chen takes out some digested forage diet and analyzes the protein, milk fat, fiber and other elements in the food.
Using a "Rumen Fistulated Cattle Experiment," which involves inserting a plastic "window" in the cow's stomach, Chen takes out some digested forage diet and analyzes the protein, milk fat, fiber and other elements in the food.
With the modernization of the dairy cattle industry in Taiwan, up-to-date machinery has replaced manpower in milking cows.
With the assistance of technicians and specialists from the Provincial Livestock Research Institute, dairy farmers have gained maximum profits with minimum investment.
With the assistance of technicians and specialists from the Provincial Livestock Research Institute, dairy farmers have gained maximum profits with minimum investment.
With the assistance of technicians and specialists from the Provincial Livestock Research Institute, dairy farmers have gained maximum profits with minimum investment.
With the assistance of technicians and specialists from the Provincial Livestock Research Institute, dairy farmers have gained maximum profits with minimum investment.
In fewer than five years, Wu Yu-huei has been able to raise 60 dairy cows. He is one of the many successful dairy farmers in Taiwan.
In fewer than five years, Wu Yu-huei has been able to raise 60 dairy cows. He is one of the many successful dairy farmers in Taiwan.
