.: Breeding Policy and Programmes 1998 :.

The breeding policy and programmes recommended by the committee to evaluate and formulate the same in 1998 are summarized below:

1. Considering all aspects and the liking of the farmers in the State it is proposed that only Jersey and Holstein Friesian be used as exotic donor breeds and Jersey and its crossbred lines is used in larger proportions.

2. It is proposed that the level of exotic inheritance be limited to around 50%. However for commercial dairy farmers semen of high value pure breeds and proven Sunandini bulls shall be made available using the existing premium bull AI programme.

3. The committee does not recommend any change in the present bull selection programme.

4. As crossbreeding is picking up momentum in other parts of the country, it would be possible to get crossbred bulls from other sources before long. This possibility should be explored on a regular basis.

5. The programme of F1 bull calf production using superior quality semen of Jersey and Holstein Friesian breeds imported from abroad on zebu cows should be strengthened.

6. The committee proposes to replace around 20% of the exotic bull stock annually with exotic bulls of higher genetic merit and preferably from unrelated sources.

7. It is recommended to incorporate embryo technology also in the production of breeding bulls used for AI in the State.

8. The committee recommends culling and removing about 2% of the Sunandini population for poor milk production and 1% for delayed first calving age annually adequately compensating the loss of the owners.

9. The committee proposes to include proven bulls of the PT programme also in the premium bull list and to use them extensively among elite cows.

10. The disparity in the availability of AI center between north & south may be eliminated by relocating the available center and taking proper care while allotting new centers.

11. The mobile AI programme may be implemented in all AI centers by the close of the 9th Five Year Plan in a phased manner.

12. It is important and essential that the AI technicians are subjected to refresher courses on a regular basis, at least once in 5 years.

13. The quality of the semen doses should be checked the level of the Regional Semen banks before being distributed to the AI centers. Random samples of semen doses may also be checked by drawing samples from the AI centers on a regular basis for bacterial load, motility etc.

14. The committee proposes to take urgent and intensive measures to sterilize the unselected breeding bulls used for natural services in all areas where AI facilities are provided by invoking the provisions of the livestock improvement act 1961.

15. The present system of providing pedigree details of the bulls whose semen is supplied for AI may be strengthened and details also supplied to the farmers by redesigning the present receipt form incorporating these details as well.

16. The farmers’ training programmes may be strengthened and expanded for providing know how on easy to adopt scientific management packages.

17. Fodder production programme needs a thorough restructuring with the involvement of the grama panachayats so that good quality fodder is made available to the cattle.

18. It is recommended that the special livestock breeding programme be expanded to cover at least 15% of the female calves born in the State annually.

19. A massive programme to achieve ‘zero sterility’ should be launched for improving the reproductive efficiency of the cattle.

20. It is proposed to establish ‘Pasubhavans’ in selected areas to be expanded in a phased manner to collect information on the production and productivity of the livestock sector.

21. The buffalo breeding programme should be continued using superior Murrah bulls.

22. The breeding programme for goats may be strengthened by supply of superior bucks and does and providing AI service.

23. The committee proposes to constitute a coordination committee with following members to oversee the progress of the breeding operations and to identify and recommend areas for applied research.

24. The following R & D programmes shall be taken up