My New Year 2025 Wishes for Filipino Livestock Farmers

The start of a new year is a time for reflection and renewed purpose. Most businesses will post generic, vanilla “Happy New Year 2025” greetings on their social media. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I feel this season is an opportunity to go beyond the usual pleasantries. It’s a chance to spark meaningful conversations and share aspirations that can truly make a difference.

This year, instead of a standard greeting, I want to extend heartfelt wishes—ones that I believe hold the potential to inspire growth and success for macro and micro Filipino livestock farmers alike. These wishes come from a place of understanding the challenges we face and the incredible opportunities that lie ahead. Let’s make 2025 a year of progress, resilience, and triumph for every farmer working tirelessly to feed our nation.

1. I wish all of us a 2025 where we value reading.

Success in farming, or any endeavor, often begins with a dedication to learning and understanding. It’s not enough to skim through pages or count the number of agriculture or animal science books you’ve read. This year, let’s prioritize active reading: diving deep into materials with intent and a genuine desire to understand. Don’t hesitate to revisit what you’ve read, even seven or seventy times, until the knowledge transforms into actionable insights.

Actionable Step: Pick one book, article, YouTube channel, or resource about livestock farming that you’ve been meaning to read or learn from. Set aside 30 minutes daily to read or watch it thoroughly, taking notes and reflecting on how you can apply what you’ve learned to your own livestock farm. Don’t rush! Focus on understanding before moving on to the next topic or video.

2. I wish all of us a 2025 where collaboration thrives.

Farming is no longer a solitary pursuit. Success today thrives in an environment of strategic competition. Healthy rivalry pushes us to innovate, improve, and outperform ourselves. But even in competition, there’s room for smart partnerships – alliances that elevate everyone involved. Treat your rivals as benchmarks and occasional collaborators, knowing that a rising tide lifts all boats. Let’s make 2025 a year of competitive excellence that strengthens not just individuals but our entire farming community.

Actionable Step: Attend a local livestock auction, farming seminar, or event this year. Use the opportunity to network with other farmers, not to collaborate blindly, but to observe, learn, and exchange insights. Take note of practices that outperform your own and strive to do even better.

3. I wish all of us a 2025 of better financial literacy.

Farming isn’t just a calling. It’s a business. Thriving in it requires mastering the basics of financial management. Take the time to understand budgeting, record-keeping, and reinvestment strategies. Every peso saved or wisely spent brings you closer to a more sustainable and resilient farming operation.

It’s time to move beyond the “alkansya” mindset. A piggy bank doesn’t grow your money – it simply holds it. The same is true for farming if you treat it as mere savings. Raising cattle, goats, ducks, chickens, or turkeys should be about generating profit, not just storing value. Approach farming as a business with the potential for growth, and let 2025 be the year you make your investments work harder for you.

Actionable Step: Start by tracking every farm-related expense and income for a month. Use a simple notebook or a budgeting app to record details. At the end of the month, analyze where you’re overspending or underspending. Use this data to set specific, achievable financial goals for your farm.

4. I wish all of us a 2025 where sustainability takes root.

This year, let’s think beyond the next harvest and invest in practices that ensure the long-term health of our farms and planet. Whether through rotational grazing, reducing waste, or choosing hardy breeds, every small effort matters. Sustainability isn’t just a trend – it’s our responsibility to future generations and the land that supports us.

Actionable Step: Commit to one sustainable practice for your farm this year, such as starting a compost pit, using turkeys as natural grass-cutters, planting trees, or implementing water-saving techniques. Track your progress and its impact, no matter how small, as every step contributes to a healthier planet.

5. I wish all of us a 2025 where pride in our craft shines.

Being a Filipino backyard livestock farmer is no small feat. From sunrise to sunset, we work tirelessly to feed our nation and uphold a vital part of our heritage. This year, let’s own that pride. Celebrate your contributions and inspire others to see the value in what we do. Let’s make farming a source of honor and aspiration for generations to come.

Actionable Step: Share your farming journey on social media or with your local community. Post about your daily challenges, successes, and innovations. By showcasing the value of what you do, you can inspire respect for the farming profession and encourage others to take pride in their work.

As we step into 2025, let’s commit to making this year a turning point—not just for ourselves, but for the future of Filipino livestock farming. Each of these wishes is a challenge, a call to action to grow stronger, smarter, and more resilient. The road won’t be easy, but every small step we take—whether it’s reading with intent, refining our business strategies, embracing healthy competition, practicing sustainability, or owning our pride—brings us closer to a thriving farming community.

Remember, the success of our farms and our legacy is in our hands. Let 2025 be the year we rise above mediocrity, break old habits, and set new standards for excellence. Our efforts today will not only feed our families and communities but also inspire the next generation of Filipino farmers to dream bigger, aim higher, and work harder.

Now is the time to act. Together, let’s make 2025 a year of transformation, growth, and success in Filipino backyard livestock farming. The future is ours to build. Let’s get to work!