Recipients under the supervised cattle distribution program and other livestock dispersal programs were found typically to enjoy benefits over and above those that can be measured through the observation of financial transactions related to the program. Numerous discussions with farmer beneficiaries indicated that they enjoy higher levels of self-esteem, increased financial security through the ownership of a large valuable animal, higher levels of personal fulfilment, and increased efficiency through the utilisation of previously wasted resources such as weeds and crop residues, as well as more efficient use of labour.
A preliminary financial analysis revealed that for the individual beneficiary under the BAI supervised cattle distribution program, financial performance was marginal to unprofitable. In other words, the justification for the program must rest with the above non-production benefits.
The baseline survey provided a large set of data about physical and financial performance of farm and of the livestock enterprise. Overall calving rates and intercalving intervals were relatively low, suggesting problems in breeding management or breeder quality, but overall farmer recipients of cows displayed a high satisfaction level with the program.
A social cost:benefit analysis indicated that the program is justifiable on developmental grounds, although socio-economic performance of the programs was constrained by poor breeding performance of the distributed cattle. The researchers identified various risk factors in livestock dispersal, and developed a number of suggestions for improving program design. Also, a proposal for a new cattle distribution program was developed.
It would appear that livestock dispersal in the Philippines is unlikely to expand to any major degree from recent levels, and that imports to the Philippines of live cattle from Australia will continue to be opportunistic in nature, depending on world meat and hence live animal prices. Periods of very high live cattle prices drive feedlot operators in the Philippines out of business, and when prices fall there is likely to be a time delay in trade recovery as feedlot operators re-establish.