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Dairy Cattle Improvement Project (TCP/NEP/3105D): Preliminary Results, Lesson Learnt and Problems Encountered. BS Shrestha, DMU SP Neopane, NPC NP Shrestha, NC. Presentation- outline. Background DCIP – Introduction and Current Status Some Preliminary Results Lesson Learnt
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Dairy Cattle Improvement Project (TCP/NEP/3105D): Preliminary Results, Lesson Learnt and Problems Encountered BS Shrestha, DMU SP Neopane, NPC NP Shrestha, NC
Presentation- outline Background DCIP – Introduction and Current Status Some Preliminary Results Lesson Learnt Problems Encountered Way forward
Background • 7 Million cattle population • 7 Native breeds • one extinct • few endangered • More than 70% HH involvement
Background…Cattle Improvement initiatives • Potential of indigenous cattle (lactation)-poor-other function important (draft, manure, religious) • Breed replacement, cross breeding, or upgrading – the option of choice for improvement • Introduction of some European cattle breed in Rana regimes – 150 yrs ago • Importation of Red Sindhi, Sahiwal, Jersey, HF, Brown Swiss • Importation of frozen semen and AI • AI with warm semen • Frozen semen production and utilization in country
Proportion of indigenous and improved cattle • Despite of all • No sustainable dairy animal genetic improvement program in the country • Non existence of PPRS and unknown bull (merit) used for semen collection &NS
DCIP- Introduction • Joint Project of NARC and DLS supported by FAO • Implemented Since July 2008 with the main objective of sustainable genetic improvement of dairy cattle in the country through: • Initiation of PPRS and Identification of potential bull mothers and production of bulls for AI and NS • Capacity enhancement of trainers/extension workers through training on Feeding and management • Supporting herd book establishment for Jersey and HF • Identifying suitable breed/s for different eco-zones and mgmt system • Developing strategies that will help private sector to undertake PPRS for sustainability and AI privatization
DCIP- Implementation • Steering committee chaired by DG, DLS • Project management committee (NPC, NPCC, NC) • ICBG- Technical support for database management and analysis • ICFM-Technical Support for capacity enhancement of trainers in feeding and management • NC- Project Implementation Support and coordination with FAOR/Nepal • Programme Officer, FAOR- project facilitation • NLBC- semen and LN handling and distribution • DMU- data management, analysis and information flow • District supervisor and Technicians • Recorders and farmers • Overall coordination and technical support- LTO
Major Activities/ Accomplishment Inception Workshop, July 2008
Training on Animal Breeding and Genetics and PPRS data analysis
Farmers’ Training and Meet • AI of PPRS herd cows with imported semen • Preliminary data analysis • Initiation of planned mating of selected potential bull mothers with proven sire semen
Procurement of Necessary Materials • Frozen semen 5000+5000 doses from New Zealand (HF and Jersey) • Lacto scans • Computers and printer • LN Container, referees • Tags and tagging machine • Weighing machine and tapes • Milk sampler, preservatives, sampling bottle
Base Animals under PPRS 4600+
Results…. • Average herd size : 8 (2-117) • Average milking animals/ herd : 4-5 (1-74)
Production performance Daily milk production (N1800) Mean Yield- 9.07±3.97 l
Milk fat content Milk Fat content ( %) Mean- 4.43±1.47
Milk Protein content Milk protein content (%) Mean - 3.3±0.49
Conductivity Conductivity Mean- 6.6±0.85
Breeding value estimation Fixed factors considered • Herd • Age as regressor variable • Breed* • Year of calving* • Season of calving* • Parity* • Feeding and management ??
Estimated Breeding Values (100 days V solids) 100 Day Part Lactation Parameter n Milk Yield Fat % Protein % Conductivity Valuable Solids Mean 377 1164.78 4.13 3.36 6.50 87.15 St. Deviation 421.89 0.81 0.23 0.47 32.31 District: Chitwan ID ID_Herd Date-calv Milk Fat% Prot% vSolid age sireBr damBr ID_Br EBV Farmers’ Name
Lesson Learnt • All stakeholders convinced on importance of DCIP • Should have been initiated long back- However, late better than never • Sustainability- Government support- Programme built on in NARC and DLS from current FY • Commitment from stakeholders essential – for long term breeding project • Inadequate project duration for this kind of work • Sincerity of recorders and farmers cooperation - essential • Strong and functional linkage between Research and Extension for achieving DCIP goal- an absolute necessity • Exist potential within the country for improvement • Immediate benefit for farmers- vaccination, drenching for their support ?? • Genetic improvement- track opened- gravelling, black topping essential- ensure for not washing away in monsoon- some sort of support necessary
Problem Encountered At Farmers’ level • Animal exit from herd and frequent movement • Why s/he and why not me (herd size) • Fate of male calves Related to Recordings and Recorders • Small and scattered herd size • Production situation – early morning milking • Remuneration against hardship • Recorder leaving job Related to Data management • Timely flow of records (both way) • Incomplete format from recorders • Mismatching herds and animal identifications • Date conversion inconvenience
Problem….. Lab and semen handling • Some unbelievable analysis report • Lacto scan maintenance (instances- breakdown of machine) • Off time work for semen handler at district (with no remuneration) • Inadequate facility to handle semen properly (12 sire lines) AI Technician Level • Conflict of interest among technicians • Reading bull identification number in straw Unforeseen • Frequent strike and road blockade • FMD outbreaks- Farmers’ superstition • Unlucky incidence– more male calves born from DCIP- faith of farmers toward DCIP
Some adjustment suggested • Initial feedback to the farmers’ from Lab via recorders (particularly for conductivity) to enable farmers to take immediate correction measures as the current flow of information is lengthy (farmers- district lab- DMU- district-farmer) • Decentralization of data recording • Cooperatives involvement in PPRS
The way forward • Data quality improvement • Breed establishment and Genetic Improvement • Holstein Derivatives-Nepalese Holstein • Jersey Derivatives-Nepalese Jersey • Saving potential male calves- • Evaluation of future bulls (growth, conformity, reproductive disease free status, chromosomal aberration) • Extensive AI in non descript breed • External support