Page 22 - Dairy Dimenison Aug-Sep24

| Volume 1 | Issue 1 | Jul-Aug 2024 INTERVIEW | Volume 1 | Issue 1 | Jul-Aug 2024

breeds like Jersey or Holstein. This approach aims to adequate irrigation. Crop residue availability testing, and sire selection. We have an adequate gene ET projects currently subsidized in some states?
improve milk production without replacing a farmer's significantly impacts milk yield (regardless of breed) and pool to move forward. Dr. Kandasamy: ET is for multiplying genetically
main source of income. reproduction. Water availability facilitates green fodder Dr. Rajeshwaran: The import of frozen semen, superior females. However, without milk recording data
Dairy expert: This strategy to increase milk yield in cultivation. embryos, and bulls of specific breeds should be for at least three lactations (and that of contemporaries)
draught breeds is not recommended. Draught breeds Dr. Rajeshwaran: Data limitations prevent concluding considered on a case-by-case basis, requiring thorough for proper identification, selecting cows based solely on
should be crossed with other draught breeds after milk production by cows, crossbred cows, and buffaloes academic evaluation, assessment of farmer needs and absolute yields is not scientifically sound. The top 5% of
selection. With increased mechanization, farmers rely in these states. Individual estimates for each category acceptance, and a focus on maintaining biodiversity. cows based on herd average are typically selected.
less on draught breeds, which can now be crossed with are unavailable. However, the primary source of semen should be Therefore, ET plays a minimal role in the genetic
Indian dairy breeds. Dairy expert: Both states show an increase in the progeny-tested semen from high-pedigreed bulls, born improvement of crossbred and indigenous cattle under
What role can draught breeds play in India with the crossbred population and a decrease in indigenous to high-yielding parents within the region or country. field conditions. However, it can be used in institutional
shift towards mechanized farming? breeds. The average milk yield from crossbred cows is While embryo transfer is an effective but costly method herds to produce sires for progeny testing based on
Dr. Rajeshwaran: There's immense potential for higher than the national average due to selection and a for obtaining a large number of embryos quickly from nominated service.
utilizing dung and urine from draught and milch cows for larger number of animals in milk. specific parents, it does not influence the selection of Dr. Rajeshwaran: ET, as currently practiced, has
biogas generation and using slurry as organic fertilizer. How can genetic biodiversity be ensured within bulls for breeding programs. minimal impact on milk production due to the low
Micro-biogas units at the household level have proven purebred populations? Dairy expert: India should stop importing semen and number of calves involved and the uncertain quality of
successful, providing economic benefits to farmers Dr. Kandasamy: Avoiding mating among closely related bulls, and instead focus on developing bulls through calves born. Additionally, the high cost of ET, coupled
through reduced LPG and fertilizer costs. animals and utilizing outcrossing with new sources from progeny testing and Embryo Transfer technology. with the additional dry days for the donor animal, makes
Dairy expert: Draught breeds can still be valuable for the same breed whenever available are recommended What is the progress in developing indigenous it economically unattractive for farmers. Furthermore,
small landholders in areas not yet fully mechanized. practices. breeds like Rathi, Kankrej, Tharparkar, and Hariana high calf mortality rates make ET an unviable option.
What are the results of purebred cow breeding Dr. Rajeshwaran: Farmers traditionally use bulls of the through milk recording and pedigree selection? Dairy expert: The objective of ET should be to produce
initiatives? same breed for natural service, changing them every two Dr. Kandasamy: Milk recording and reproduction bulls for semen production, particularly in indigenous
Dr. Kandasamy: The government encourages purebred years. This practice helps maintain some level of genetic recording are crucial starting points for genetic breeds.
herd establishment, but long-term success relies on diversity. improvement programs. However, pedigree selection What are the views on using sex-sorted semen and
farmer participation in their home tracts. Government Should India continue semen and bull import, or alone has limited value and is not widely practiced in gene editing?
support for healthcare, scientific assistance, and should we focus on progeny testing and Embryo advanced dairy countries. Dr. Kandasamy: Sex-sorted semen has a success rate of
marketing can aid farmers in breeding purebreds. Transfer (ET) for bull production? Dr. Rajeshwaran: Milk recording for all bovines, around 95%, which is acceptable. However, under field
However, a long-term vision is needed that transcends Dr. Kandasamy: Sufficient numbers of Jersey and especially future parent stock, should be mandatory. conditions, a 30% conception rate with sex-sorted
short-term government mindsets. Holstein bulls and semen have already been imported. These animals need to be identified for breeding semen is not achievable. This rate is only attainable
Dr. Rajeshwaran: Private initiatives focusing on Repeated imports are unnecessary and drain foreign purposes, with their calves becoming replacement when inseminating heifers or first-calvers with no history
passionate breeders using bulls with known exchange. India's existing crossbred population can be breeding stock, particularly females. of reproductive disorders. Furthermore, sex-sorted
characteristics for natural service on their purebred the foundation for performance recording, progeny Dairy expert: Milk recording for these breeds is on the semen is expensive and not affordable for most farmers.
cows have yielded positive results. These breeders right track. Dr. Rajeshwaran: Using sex-sorted semen on Indian
function as informal genetic pools, contributing to high Is the current progeny testing project for Jersey and cows and buffaloes would reduce biodiversity and
production capacity across India. Notable examples Holstein crossbreds a sound breeding policy, or violate the biodiversity convention that India has signed.
include the Tharparkar, Gir, Sahiwal, and Rathi breeds in should farmers focus on pure breeds? Additionally, the semen quality is questionable. Strict
Western India, as well as the Murrah, Mehsana, Surti, Dr. Kandasamy: Progeny testing programs for monitoring and regulation of semen production are
Jafrabadi, and Banni buffalo breeds in Western and crossbreds are a sound approach. Shifting entirely to essential, with every frozen straw traced back to the
Northern India. A prominent example is the exotic purebreds like Holstein Friesian would be inseminated cow/buffalo. The bulls used for semen
development of purebred Gir animals in Brazil, which detrimental. Farmers should be advised accordingly. production must come from the top 1% of elite mothers.
originated from a small cohort of parent stock imported Dr. Rajeshwaran: Progeny testing is a later stage in the Without proper identification of these mothers, using
from India and underwent a rigorous selection and breeding process. The initial focus should be on sex-sorted semen is futile for enhancing milk production.
culling process over five decades. segregating the "elite" stock of Indian breeds for Dairy expert: The use of sex-sorted semen needs
What insights can be drawn from studying milk breeding purposes, separate from animals raised solely further discussion with experts from various fields,
production changes and animal demographics in for milk production. including academics, farmers, geneticists, policymakers,
Maharashtra and Punjab? Dairy expert: Progeny testing for Jersey and Holstein and NGOs.
Dr. Kandasamy: Maharashtra is a semi-arid region crossbreds can be continued. How can molecular markers be applied to select
dependent on seasonal rains, while Punjab has What should be the objectives and target breeds for parent stock in cows?

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