By Kenneth Marcos 
On many small farms, feeding livestock remains a daily struggle, especially during dry months when fresh grass is scarce. For dairy and meat producers, the quality of feed can mean the difference between profit and loss.
To address this challenge, the Department of Agriculture–Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) has partnered with ADABAKA Livestock Solutions Inc. (ALSI) to bring a locally developed technology, Buro Booster™, closer to farmers. The agreement was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking a step toward commercializing the innovation.
Buro Booster™ is a silage inoculant developed in 2020 by the DA-PCC Production Systems and Nutrition Section (PSNS). The research team included Reynald Amido, Charity Castillo, Dr. Arnel del Barrio, Phoebe Lyndia Llantada, and Mary Rose Uy-De Guia. The product is designed to improve the quality of silage, a preserved feed made from corn, sorghum, and grasses.
Silage plays a key role in feeding ruminant animals such as carabaos and cattle, especially during seasons when fresh forage is limited. Buro Booster™ contains lactic acid bacteria, which help preserve nutrients, improve fermentation, and reduce spoilage. This allows farmers to store feed for longer periods while maintaining its nutritional value.
Dr. Arnel del Barrio, one of the developers and former DA-PCC Executive Director, said the idea for the technology came from the need to match improved animal breeds with better feeding systems. He noted that while efforts to upgrade livestock genetics were ongoing, feed quality remained a major concern. The development of Buro Booster™ was also inspired by global practices, where silage is widely used as a reliable feed source for dairy animals.
DA-PCC Executive Director Dr. Liza Battad emphasized that feed production remains one of the biggest challenges in the ruminant industry. She said commercializing Buro Booster™ could help address feed shortages and support the large-scale production of high-quality silage. This, in turn, can improve animal health, increase milk and meat production, and boost farmer income.
ALSI, a company engaged in livestock and agribusiness, expressed strong support for the partnership. The firm specializes in corn silage production and aims to expand the use of Buro Booster™ beyond research settings. Company representative Ada Alethea Alingog-Nanayakkara said the collaboration could help deliver the technology directly to farmers and create a meaningful impact on the agricultural sector.
The MOU signing was facilitated by DA-PCC’s Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management (IPTBM) unit, with key officials and researchers from both organizations present. The partnership highlights the importance of linking research institutions with private companies to speed up the adoption of useful technologies.
As the demand for livestock products continues to grow, improving feed systems is seen as a critical step in strengthening the industry. Access to reliable and affordable feed solutions can help farmers become more resilient, especially in the face of climate challenges and rising production costs.
With the planned rollout of Buro Booster™, farmers may soon benefit from a locally developed solution that supports both productivity and sustainability. Strengthening partnerships like this can help ensure that innovations reach those who need them most.
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