total carabao inventory as of Jan.1,2007 reached 3.38 million head.This was about 0.60% higher than last years inventory.Inventory in backyard farms which accounted for more than 99% of the total carabao population slightly increased by 0.59%.On the other hand,the inventory in commercial farms went up by 2.28%.Region 2 recorded the highest total headcount while Region 5 led in commercial headcount.The volume of carabeef imports declined by 5.87% in 2006.However,the corresponding value grew by 1.08%.On average,farmgate prices of live carabao in 2006 amounted to P51.86 per kg. liveweight,up by 6.71% compared with last years price of P48.60.The highest price of P53.90 per kilo liveweight was recorded during the month of January when it was noted to have increased by 9.46% compared with the price in the same peroid in 2005.