Episode 12: It's About the How, Not the Cow with Bogs Peralta
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Episode 12: It's About the How, Not the Cow with Bogs Peralta
What if everything we've been taught about cattle breeding is wrong? In this eye-opening conversation with Filipino cattleman Bogs Peralta, we explore how conventional wisdom about "bigger is better" has led ranchers astray across the globe.
From the lush tropical landscapes of the Philippines emerges a story that will resonate with ranchers worldwide. Peralta, a third-generation cattle producer, shares his journey from fighting against nature to working with it through regenerative grazing and adapted genetics. After years of struggling with show-type Brahman cattle that looked impressive but performed poorly, Peralta made a radical shift toward moderate-framed, fertile cattle that thrive on forage alone.
The challenges he describes are strikingly familiar - reproductive inefficiency, high input costs, and genetics ill-suited to local conditions. Peralta reveals that 90% of Philippine cattle calve at painfully inefficient intervals, with many not producing their first calf until three or four years old. This isn't just an economic problem; it's contributing to food insecurity in a nation of 110 million people.
Through resources like "Man, Cattle & Veld" and connections with like-minded ranchers, Peralta discovered that the solution wasn't more inputs - it was better-adapted cattle. His shift toward native Philippine cattle genetics blended with adaptable imported breeds has yielded remarkable results: earlier maturity, consistent calving, fewer difficult births, and better performance on grass.
Peralta's powerful insight that "it's the how, not the cow" challenges us to rethink our priorities. Rather than selecting for trending traits, he advocates focusing on what truly matters: fertility, efficiency, and adaptability. This approach not only improves profitability but also addresses critical food security challenges.
Ready to challenge conventional wisdom in your own operation? Join us as we explore how returning to nature-aligned principles might be the most revolutionary path forward for cattle producers everywhere.
Connect with Bogs Peralta:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balungaointegratedfarm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balungaointegratedfarm/
Check out Bos Sires:
Website: https://www.bossires.com/
Bos Sires Catalog: International New Bos Sires Catalog (English)
Support the Podcast
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Join us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/bossirestalk]
Chapters
1. Introduction to Sustainable Stock (00:00:00)
2. Bogs' Family Ranching History (00:01:42)
3. Labor Challenges and Grazing Systems (00:05:18)
4. Fertility Issues with Imported Genetics (00:10:15)
5. Lost Native Cattle Advantages (00:15:35)
6. Profit Per Hectare vs. Bigger Is Better (00:20:48)
7. Hope for Filipino Beef Production (00:28:26)
8. Finding the Right Cattle for the Philippines (00:36:21)
9. Key Takeaways and Closing Thoughts (00:43:45)
13 episodes