DAIRY CATTLE PRODUCTION SELECTED READINGS ARCHIV 53004 JR DAIRY CATTLE PRODUCTION SELECTED READINGS DAIRY CATTLE PRODUCTION SELECTED READINGS BAIF DEVELOPMENT RESARCH FOUNDATION Kamdhenu', Sanapati Bapat Marg, Pune 411 016. (INDIA) Phone : 342621 .1 B33 Published by: BAIF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH FOUNDATION Kamdhenu ', Sanapati Bapat Marg, Pune 411 016. (INDIA) Phone : 342621 First Edition: 1990 : 3000 Copies Price : Rs. 80/- ($ 18) Printed by: Akshir Chintamani 474, Sadashiv Peth, Pune 411 030 Produced by: Typocom 'Bàlwantashràm' 1228, Sadashiv Peth, Pune 411 030 Phone : 423844 CONTENTS Livestock production and disease in the tropics Manibhai Desai 1 important Zebu breeds and strategies for their germ plasm conservation D. S. Balain 8 Dairy cattle breeding: retrospect & prospects B. R. Mangurkar 25 Impact of cattle cross-breeding on rural economy B. R. Mangurkar 34 Oestrus synchronisation a tool for improved fertility V. J. Sidhaye 51 Repeat breeding in cows etiology and treatment A. S. Kaikini 60 Producing quality frozen semen R. Bhosrekar 79 Methods of sire evaluation S. B. Gokhale 92 Dairy cattle performance recording and evaluation P. Narain, V. K. Bhatia & P. K. Malhotra 99 Feeding management of dairy calves S. P. Arora 120 Feeding strategies for high yields and optimum reproductive performance S. R. Sampath 134 Use of complete diets in feeding dairy cattle M.RajReddy 140 Feeding dairy cattle in tropics-constraints and prospects K. Pradhan 149 Forage production from leguminous crops K. M. Kokate 160 Fodder from tree species G. Hegde 171 Environmental control-housing P. A. Deore 182 Abortion diseases V. J. Sidhaye 185 Newer drugs for dairy cattle diseases P. P. Jamkhedkar 191 Application of Homeopathy in veterinary field M.R. Pachegaonkar 198 Emerging technologies and newer challenges for veterinary profession D. S. Gorhe 202 Health problems and treatment P. A. Deore 212 1 PREFACE During the early part of the Twentieth century, livestock was a symbol of prosperity for rural families in India. Cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats were means of economic security, source of nutritious diet and above all, a part of the agricultural family tradition to maintain some of these animals. However, over a period of time, due to the population pressure on land, demand for more food grains, introduction of mechanization in agriculture, genetic erosion of livestock and other factors, there was a gradual decline in the contribution of income from the livestock component. This might have led the farmers to neglect their livestock although they continue to maintain them, disproportionate to their land holding and fodder resources, practically at zero cost. Today, India has the largest livestock population in the world, and it is one of the natural resources gifted by Mother Nature for our survival. But we need to breed them to preserve their genetic superiority, nourish them with balanced feed and protect them from diseases, so that the productivity of these animals is maintained at a high level. Selective breeding is the standard method of breed improvement, but the progress is very slow. However, in the case of cattle, cross-breeding with exotic dairy breeds can give a tremendous boost to the milk production. As a result, the cross-breds born to the non-descript cows can produce 5 - 10 times more milk than their mothers, and a herd of 2 - 3 such cross bred cows can provide sustainable livelihood to a rural family. Presently, our cattle population is 192 million, of which less than 5 - 8% belong to the category of recognised indigenous breeds. While the top priority is to preserve and further improve this precious germplasm, serious thought should be given to upgrade the remaining 90% of the non-descript cattle wealth. We feel, the best way is to use this population as seed-beds for producing outstanding cross-bred cows and bullocks. This would also demonstrate the significance of these so called "Street Cattle" in supporting the livelihood of millions of our rural families. Cross-breeding programme although introduced long ago, could not accelerate as anticipated. This is probably because we have not properly educated the farmers about the management of high-yielding cows. Farmers also have a wrong notion about the use of cross-bred bullocks in agricultural operations. Scientific studies and field experiences have proved that the cross-bred bullocks can pull the carts with a load of three tonnes on village roads. They grow fast and are ready for work at 2.5-3 years age, while the Zebu bullocks require five years. However, the cross-bred bullocks cannot work during the mid day heat in the summer season and farmers need tomodify their working schedule. But they are certainly superior to the bullocks of non- descript breeds. To popularise cross-breeding of our indigenous cows in rural areas, it is necessary to upgrade the skill of our field technicianswith the latest developments in dairy cattle production and programme promotion. There is a dearth of technical literature in this subject, for their ready reference in the field. Considering these important needs, BAIF has now introduced suitable short term refreshers' training courses and publications, which can benefit the Veterinarians, Livestock Development Officers and Farm Managers. We hope this book will be a useful resource material for the Field Officers, as well as the Animal Science students to adopt advanced techhiques in Dairy Cattle Management and serve our farmers better. I am grateful to the learned scientists who have contributed their valuable experiences through their scholarly papers. I am also thankful to Dr. V. J. Sidhaye, Dr. P. A. Deore, Dr. B. R. Mangurkar and our senior animal scientists for their efforts in editing this book. MANIBHAI DESAI President, BAIF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION AND DISEASE IN THE TROPICS Manibhai Desal BA/F Development Research Foundation, 'Kamdhenu', Senapati Bapat Road, Pune 411 016. Introduction Amongst the natural resources, livestock has a unique place to support survival and growth of human civilization and hence the attention has always been focused on developing appropriate technologies to enhance the productivity per animal at affordable costs. Livestock Production In Tropics A major portion of global livestock population inhabits the tropics. Amongst these, the important 50 breeds of cattle, 20 breeds of buffaloes, 60 breeds of sheep, 30 breeds of goats etc. have been evolved. Of them, about 26 breeds of cattle, 7 breeds of buffaloes, 40 breeds of sheep and 18 breeds of goats exist in India. Unfortunately, however, the productivity of animals in the tropics is much lower as compared to that in temperate climate. There are several factors contributing to the lower productivity of tropical livestock. Besides the environmental factors causing heat stress, poor quality of nutrition, lack of adequate health care facilities, improper or poor management practices and above all lower gentic potential, which have adversely affected the livestock production in the tropics. As regards the development of improved livestock breeds, having higher production potential, application of technologies for cross-obreeding of local breeds with progeny tested exotic breeds have given better results. It is however, essential that each of these techniques are applied without creating any sanitary hazards by ensuring regular and routine testing of semen. In case of embryo transfer, the emphasis should be laid on control tests for the embryo itself and its environment. The success of both these techniques is based on the efficiency of controls involving physiological, technological and sanitary measures. In India, artificial insemination technique to breed local non-descript cows using frozen semen of progeny tested sires of Jersey and Holstein Friesian cattle, have resulted in increasing the milk yield. Adoption of Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer (MOET) would help in increasing the milk production further. The vast expanse and tropical climate calls for innovative approaches to develop effective delivery system for implementing the artificial insemination programmes successfully in the tropics. Thus, as is practised by BAIF in India, a system for providing such services at the doorsteps of the farmers is needed. Under this system, a veterinarian is provided a motorbike and small liquid nitrogen container to carry requisite doses of frozen semen. He reaches out to the farmers' doorstep when his cow is in heat and carries out artificial insemination. In addition, he also undertakes vaccination and disease investigations which are essential to ensure good health of the animals. While achieving the much needed genetic improvement of the livestock, it is all the more necessary to develop cheaper and efficient animal feeds and fodder. Development of non-traditional feeds through application of suitable cost effective physical or biotechnological processes for conversion of agricultural wastes such as sorghum straws, sugarcane bagasse, etc. should also receive top priority. Livestock Health in Tropics Any effort to increase livestock production in the tropics must give serious attention towards livestock health problems too. As estimated by FAQ, there, are enormous losses due to livestock diseases worldwide. While in developed countries, the loss in production of milk, meat and eggs is 17.5%, it is 35% in developing countries. Further, as per FAO estimates, worldwide 5% cattle, 10% sheep and goats and 15% pigs die annually as a result of disease. The cost of disease and losses amount to millions of dollars per annum ($ 1,00,000 million) worldwide. The estimated loss due to Foot and Mouth Disease is around Rs.4000 million ($ 550 million) in India alone. Worldwide losses due to FMD is $50,000 million and due to Mastitis is about $ 35,000 million. Undoubtedly, the Western or developed countries with sustained scientific efforts, socio-political and economic freedom, have advanced and perfected the livestock health strategies to overcome various problems. These aids should reach tropical zones so as to reduce or eliminate focus of infection, 2 which can endanger free countries.