Published by Dr. K. Anilkumar Organising Secretary XIV Annual Convention of Society for Conservation of Domestic Animal Biodiversity Centre for Advanced Studies in Animal Genetics and Breeding College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Mannuthy, Thrissur-680651, Kerala, India Compiled and Edited by Dr K Anilkumar Dr Bindya Liz Abraham Dr T R Sreekumar Typesetting, Layot & Printing Lumiere Printing Works Thrissur 680 020 Ph: 0487 2331056 KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY DIRECTORATE OF ACADEMICS & RESEARCH POOKODE, LAKKIDI P. O., WAYANAD - 673 576 Dr. K. Devada, Ph.D. Phone : 04936 209260 Director (Academics& Research) (M) 9446062400 Fax : 04936 209275 E-mail : [email protected] Message It is a great honour and privilege to know that theXIV Annual Convention of the Societyfor Conservation of Domestic Animal Biodiversity (SOCDAB) is being organised at College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur during February 2017, with a National seminar on the theme “Biodynamic Animal Farming for Management of Livestock Diversity under the Changing Global Scenario” . The Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University is indeed fortunate to host the same. India has the distinction of having very large livestock population in the world (512.05 million as per 2012 census). Though India stands first in milk production in the world and there has been quantum increase of 6-7 times in the last four decades, yet low average productivity of our livestock is a cause of concern. It is necessary to strengthen this sector in order to augment agriculture GDP in the country. India is a rich source of domestic animal diversity. Various tools of genetic resource management and exploration of unique sources of renewable energy will definitely help to accomplish the mission of biodynamic animal farming and indigenous livestock resources which is the focus of the National Seminar. It is also high time to take up studies on interactions between weather factors in surrounding environment of animal agriculture, to cope up with climate variability, adaptation and mitigation. I hope this conference will provide an opportunity to assess the status of research, the latest discoveries and new tools and approaches that promise technological breakthroughs. I wish the event a great success and look forward to the recommendations of the symposium as the guide line for future research and action in this field. Further I take this opportunity to congratulate the organising team who have worked tirelessly over the past few months to make this a memorable and informational experience to all. Sd/- Director (Academics and Research) KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala 680 651 Message College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy is proud to be a partner of the Society for Conservation of Domestic Animal Biodiversity (SOCDAB) in organising the Symposium on “Biodynamic Animal Farming for Management of Livestock Diversity under the Changing Global Scenario” in connection with the XIV Annual Convention of the Society. Indian subcontinent is a treasure house for a wide variety of fauna and flora. Among the different States, Kerala’sposition in holding the biodiversity is remarkable. The state owns one of the smallest breeds of cattle, the Vechur cattle renowned for its disease resistance and sturdiness. There are several other livestock and poultry breeds native to the land which possesses highly desirable characteristics such as disease resistance and heat tolerance. Scientific community should remain cautious to see that these valuable germplasm remains unadulterated. The idea of biodynamic farming is commendable in that it aims touse earth’s resources in a sustainable manner. Hope the deliberations during the conference should come up with valuable recommendations that would preserve our treasured resources. College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthyhas more than sixty years of ancient heritage in Veterinary Education. The College came into existence in 1955 and it became a constituent college of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in 2011. Since then, eventful years have added glory to the College at both national and international levels and over the years, a new breed of skilled human resource have been developed that is instrumental in not only generating new technologies but also in their assessment, refinement and dissemination to the farming community. The College and its premises had been venue for the successful conduct of several national and international conferences. I welcome all the delegates to this beautiful campus and sincerely wish that this event would be a memorable one. Sisilamma George DEAN College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Pookode, Lakkidi, Wayanad 673576 Message It gives me immense pleasure to note thatDepartment of Animal Breeding, Genetics and Biostatistics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy is organising the 13thNational Symposium on “Biodynamic animal farming for the management of livestock diversity under changing global scenario” of the Society for Conservation of Domestic Animal Biodiversity (SOCDAB). Biological diversity forms the fundamental basis to agriculture and food production. In spite of varied genetic base of animals existing, human beings depend on about 14 mammals as well as bird species for 90% of their food supply from animals. As time progressed and intensification advanced, farmers adopted high yielding breeds of animals throughout the world. The decline in native breeds was aggravated by the anthropogenic factors like rapid urbanisation, changing life styles especially eating habits and emergence of new trends in biology, notably biotechnology and genetic engineering. Of late, it is well evident that growing number of sustainable farmers are protecting animal biodiversity by raising ‘heritage’ or ‘heirloom’ breeds.Heritage breeds of animals were bred over time to develop traits that made them particularly well-adapted to the local environmental conditions. Heritage breeds are generally better adapted to withstand disease and survive in harsh environmental conditions.It could therefore be inferred that preserving this germ poolforms an integral part of food security and the preservation of wide range of germ poolis the hallmark of a sustainable breeding programme. It is in this context that the role of SOCDAB as a professional body accomplishes its goal. I understand that this symposiumhas been designed to provide ample exposure to the participants in disseminating the concept of heritage biodiversityand applying this doctrine in their respective domains of expertise. Let me congratulate the Dr.Anilkumar K., the Organising Secretary of the symposium as well as his dynamic team for making this symposiuma reality.I wish the symposium all success. Prof. (Dr.) K. Vijayakumar M.V.Sc., Ph.D., P.G.D.B.M., P.G.D.I.B., P.G.D.A.G.M. Dean, College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Pookode, Lakkidi P.O., Wayanad, Kerala E-mail: [email protected] 01.02.2017 01.02.2017 NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM : BIODYNAMIC ANIMAL FARMING FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF LIVESTOCK DIVERSITY UNDER CHANGING GLOBAL SCENARIO Patron : Shri. Adv. V. S. Sunilkumar, Minister for Agriculture, Kerala State Co-Patron : Shri. Anil Xavier IAS, Hon’ble.Vice Chancellor, KVASU Vice Patrons : Shri. Adv. K. Rajan, Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly. Dr. Joseph Mathew, Registrar, KVASU Dr. K .M. Syam Mohan, Finance Officer (i/c), KVASU Dr. Devada K., DirectorAcademics and Research, KVASU Dr. T. P. Sethumadhavan, Director Entrepreneurship, KVASU Dr. Sisilamma George, Dean, CVAS, Mannuthy Dr. K.Vijayakumar, Dean, CVAS, Pookode Dr. GirishVarma, Dean, CDST, Mannuthy Advisors : Dr. Sabin George, Member, Board of Management, KVASU Dr. M.K.Narayanan, Member, Board of Management Dr. P. SudheerBabu, Member, Board of Management Dr. K.P. Sreekumar, Member, Management Council Dr. Lucy K .M., Member, Management Council Dr. Sujith S., Member, Academic Council Organising committee Chairperson : Dr. A.P. Usha, Director of Farms, Professor & Head, Centre for Pig Production and Research, Mannuthy. Co- Chairman : Dr. T.V. Aravindakshan, Director, Centre for Advanced Studies on Animal Genetics & Breeding, Mannuthy. Secretary : Dr. K. Anilkumar, Associate Dean, CV&AS, Mannuthy. Jt. Organising secretaries : Dr. Thirupathy Venkitachalapathy, Associate Professor & Head, Goat and Sheep Farm, Mannuthy. Dr. G. Radhika, Asst.Professor, Centre for Advanced Studies on Animal Genetics & Breeding, Mannuthy. Dr. Bindya Liz Abraham, Asst. Professor, Department of Animal Genetics & Breeding, CVAS, Mannuthy. Programme committee Chairman : Dr. Usha P.T.A., Professor & Head, Department of Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology Co- Chairman : Dr. Lucy K. M., Professor (Academics), Department of Veterinary Anatomy & Histology Convener : Dr. Indu V. Raj, Asst. Professor, Department of Veterinary Anatomy & Histology. XIV Annual Convention of Society for Conservation Domestic Animal Biodiversity Members : Dr. Sindhu K. Rajan, Asst. Professor, Department of Clinical Medicine, Ethics & Kerala Thrissur, and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, I College of Veterinary 8-10 February Jurisprudence Dr. Manju Sasidharan, Asst. Professor, Department of LPM Dr. Biya Ann Joseph, Asst. Professor, Department of LPM Dr. Ambily R., Asst. Professor, Department of Clinical Medicine Dr. Bibu John