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Xieng Khuang maintains livestock exports, despite cattle deaths
Xieng Khuang province is still able to export livestock despite the deaths of more than 9,000 cattle and buffalo this year.
Unseasonably cool weather and showers from March 16 to 18 were said to be responsible for the deaths of more than 10,000 cattle and buffalo in Xieng Khuang, Luang Prabang, Xayaboury, Huaphan, Oudomxay and Phongsaly provinces, and in Vientiane.
Xieng Khuang will continue to export animals to Vietnam, but the number will decrease, Head of the Provincial Livestock Section Mr Phimpha Niravong said.
In each of the last two years, the province sold about 10,000 cattle and buffalo to Vietnam.
While this year's livestock deaths have affected farming families, the situation has not affected the province's economy and the price of beef is stable at 35,000 kip per kg, Mr Phimpha said.
Only 0.5 percent of livestock in the province was lost and the section will continue to promote breeding.
The worst affected areas were Phoukoud, Paek, Khoun and Phaxay districts, as these are the coldest areas in the province.
The animals died because they were thin, lacked sufficient grass, and could not withstand the low temperatures.
A similar outbreak of livestock deaths occurred in the province in 1986, Mr Phimpha said.
Xieng Khuang produces a substantial number of livestock for domestic consumption and export to neighbouring countries.
This year, the number of buffaloes raised increased by 7 percent and cattle by nearly 11 percent, Mr Phimpha said, adding that these figures will now be lower due to the recent deaths.
Next year, the section plans to increase the number of buffalo by 2,000 and cattle by 5,000 but officials may now struggle to reach these targets.
However, provincial authorities will try to encourage farmers in each village to focus on animal healthcare and increasing the number of livestock they own.
Laos currently has sufficient beef to meet domestic demand. However, if unaddressed the issue may result in the import of cattle from neighbouring countries.
vientiane times
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