Gadvasu

Cattle Breeding

Crossbreeding of dairy cattle was initiated with Red Dane breed from Denmark and later on Holstein Friesian breed was introduced. The major objectives of the Cattle Improvement Projects are to compare the performance of different genetic groups of crossbred cattle and to evaluate the crossbred bulls through progeny testing, to supply the semen of genetically superior bulls to the farmers and other dairy development agencies. Milk Production: The average 305-day milk yield of crossbred cows has increased from 2835 kg in 1974-75 to 4880 kg in 2008-2009. This has been achieved by the development and application of the improved technologies of animal breeding, feeding, housing and disease control. Crossbred cows with peak yield upto 52.5 kg a day and milk yeild of 10493 Kg in and 12260 Kg in 305 days have been produced and the bull calves retained from such cows are evaluated through progeny testing. The fat content in the milk of crossbred cows ranged from 3.59±0.08 to 4.43 ± 0.09 protein, 2.54 ± 0.05 to 3.11 ± 0.05 per cent, lactose 4.54 ± 0.04 to 4.84 ± 0.03 and SNF 8.00±0.06 to 8.36 ± 0.06 per cent over different months. Moderate to high heritability estimates of fat and SNF percentages indicated the opportunities to increase their levels in milk through selective breeding.

Crossbred cows milk a 305 days milk yield of 10493 Kg and complete lactation. Milk yield of 12260 Kg have been producing with peak yeild of 52.5 Kg a day.

Field Progeny Testing

Field Progeny Testing Project:

It is a network programme of ICAR with collaborative units of PAU, Ludhiana; Kerala Agricultural University, Mannuthy and Bhartiya Agro Industries Foundation, Pune. The area of operation is served by 21 A.I. centers in Ludhiana district, which are operated by State A.H. Deptt. and some by trained inseminators. The average first lactation 305-day milk yield of crossbred progenies in the adopted villages was 1698 kg in the year 1979 which as a result of supply of high quality semen of test bulls has increased to 2904 kg in the year 2009.This has been achieved by providing technical guidance to the farmers about the breeding, feeding and management of crossbred animals. Some progressive dairy framers after getting training and superior germplasm from the project have established crossbred herds with lactation milk yield of more than 4000Kg and peak yield of more than 40 Kg a day.

BUFFALO BREEDING

The genetic improvement of buffaloes has been taken up under a Network Project of ICAR which was earlier started as All India Co-ordinated Project on Buffalo Improvement. The major thrust of this project is the improvement of Murrah breed of buffaloes by undertaking the progeny testing of buffalo bulls and the extensive use of genetically superior Murrah bulls. The project is jointly taken up at the four participating centers viz. Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana; National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University Hisar and Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar. Recently, progeny testing programme has been extended to the dairy units of the farmers by adopting the field unit. Milk production: The milk yield of buffalo herd has increased from 1671 kg in early seventies to the present level of 2359 kg. The fat content in the milk of buffaloes ranged from 7.39±0.11 to 7.80±0.08, protein, 3.80±0.03 to 4.82±0.08, lactose, 4.44±0.09 to 5.13±0.07 and SNF 9.48±0.06 to 9.83±0.08 per cent over different lactations. With the systematic selection and optimum management, it has been possible to produce buffaloes with peak yield as high as 24.6 kg day and lactation yield of 4430 kg. Sixty-eight buffaloes have been recorded with peak yield of more than 18 kg a day including 25 buffaloes with peak yield of more than 20 kg a day. An elite herd of buffaloes having average milk yield of around 2945 kg is mated with the proven bulls for the production of future bulls, a part of which are put to progeny testing for more accurate evaluation. The remaining bull calves from the elite buffaloes are given to the buffalo breeders for rearing and use as bulls for the genetic improvement of their buffaloes. Eighty bulls have been evaluated on the basis of performance of their daughters record. Best bulls with daughters average first lactation milk yield of 2349 kg have been identified which were 42% superior over their contemporaries.

Details of semen of progeny tested buffalo bulls

Details of surplus semen of pedigreed buffalo bulls

All the bulls have been tested and are free from TB, JD, Brucellosis, BVD, IBR and Chlamydia

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE SALE OF SEMEN

• Semen is frozen in French medium (0.5 ml) straws and delivered in customer’s containers, F.O.R., PAU, Ludhiana
• Quality of semen can be evaluated before receiving the consignment. No complaint(s) whatsoever will be entertained later on.
• Payment is received in cash or bank draft or through banker’s irrevocable Letter of Credit in favour of Comptroller, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana

EMBRYO TRANSFER TECHNOLOGY

Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT) is the latest break through in Animal Reproduction Biotechnology for increasing the rate of genetic improvement in different species of livestock. As many as 50-100 calves can be produced from a single outstanding cow/buffalo through this technology by super ovulation and in vivo fertilization as against 5-10 calves in her life time normally.

Development of Technologies: Since the inception of the ETT projects, various protocols for superovulation, recovery, cryopreservation and transfer of embryos in cattle and buffaloes have been tested through intensive systematic studies. First calf in Northern India and for the first time in the history, twin buffalo calves were produced through non-surgical embryo transfer technology. For superovulation of buffaloes, Follicle Stimulate Hormone (FSH-P) 4 days schedule was more effective than FSH-P 3 days schedule, pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and PMSG + Gonadotrophin Releasing hormone (GnRH).To make the best utilization of easily available drug i.e. PMSG,Anti-PMSG was developed for the first time in PAU. Of the pure FSH brands available, super-OV is the drug of choice for quality embryo production in crossbred cows followed by Folltropin-V. Higher embryo recovery rate is achieved when superovulated cows are flushed with Rusch Catheter compared to Folley.

Field Progeny Testing Project:

Embryo transfer technology has been successfully used in the production of exotic bulls by implanting Holstein Friesian embryos imported from USA, in the local cows. The University did the pioneer work in this direction and produced the first male calf with milk yield record of 9192 kg and 9200 kg for the dam and sibs respectively. Subsequently, the State Animal Husbandry Directorate imported Holstein Friesian embryos and produced bull calves with technical assistance from the University. These bulls have started donating semen and are being used to improve the cattle population of the state. With the application of ETT, 280 cattle and 61 buffalo embryos have been produced at PAU out of which 82 cattle and 17 buffalo embryos were transferred and 28 cow and 3 buffalo calves were produced. Simultaneously, 70 cattle and 10 buffalo calves have also been produced under the field conditions in collaboration with state Milkfed and Animal Husbandry Department.

Recently, a joint project of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University and the state department of Animal Husbandry, Punjab on the Improvement of Dairy Animals through Embryo Transfer Technology at the Institutional farms and field conditions have been launched, under which elite crossbred cows of the progressive Dairy Farmers of the state are being used as donor cows to produce elite calves (herd replacement) at the doorstep of the farmers.

Poultry Breeding: / Broiler Breeding:

Two strains of broilers i.e. PB-1 (sire line) and PB-2 (dam line) have been developed through genetic selection for improved body weight to six weeks of age. Their cross commercial broiler (IBL-80) developed by GADVASU has a potential to attain an average body weight of 1550 - 1600 g at 6-weeks of age with a feed conversion ratio of 1.7 – 1.8. IBL-80 broiler has been released for commercial use at the National Level by Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India and ranks at the top among the stocks developed in the public sector.

Layer Breeding:

Day-old chicks of parent stock, hatching eggs and commercial chicks are avialable at the University hatchery.

White Leghorn:

The work on breeding of egg type chickens at PAU was started in 1970-71 through a state govt. sponsored project. Two pure strains (PL1 & PL2) were synthesized from commercial and purebred stocks respectively in 1970 -71 and 74-75. Both the strains had since then been improved through combined selection for part year egg production. Mild selection for egg size, liveability and fertility, hatchability was also followed. The average egg production upto 40 weeks of age at the beginning was about 75 eggs which had consistently improved over the years with the current average performance being 125 eggs in the pure strains. Other traits like egg weight, age at sexual maturity, egg mass and efficiency index have also improved (Table 1).

Table 1. Av. Part-year (up to 40 weeks of age) performance of pure strains of egg type stocks

The cross-line stock, Satluz Layer, was released by the “Varietal Release Committee” of the state in 1987 for commercial egg production. Continuous selection in pure strains had resulted in concomitant genetic improvement of the cross line commercial stock. The annual egg production of the commercial layer is 280-290 eggs with average egg weight of 57g and egg mass output of over 16Kg. A stock of naked-neck strain in White Lehgorn genomic background is maintained for its genetic evaluation. Two lines, a high and low-line, of White Leghorn have been developed based on their response to Sheep Red Blood Cells, and have diverged through one generation of selection.

Rhode Island Red (RIR):

Two strains of Rhode Island Red (RIR) have been produced through intra-population selection. The birds of these strains lay tinted (brown) eggs and fetch higher returns especially in the rural areas of the state. It lays 240-250 eggs in a year with an average egg weight of 54 g. It is more popular with the small/marginal farmers as brown eggs get sold at a premium. Since the birds are heavier at the end of the lay, the income from the spent-up hens is also higher than White Leghorn females. The RIR birds perform well on comparatively lesser management input. Fertile/hatching eggs, day-old chicks and parent stock are available and can be procured from the university. A large number of parent stock and commercial chicks, and hatching eggs of these stocks are being supplied to outside agencies.

Quail Breeding:

The work on Japanese quails at PAU / GADVASU was started in 1990 through an ICAR funded adhoc project. On completion of the project in 1995, the work was continued through a State Govt. funded scheme. Two stocks of quails, designated as PQ 1 (Sire line) and PQ 4 (dam line) were synthesized and have been improved for 4-week body weight. Both the selected strains have completed over 40 generations of selection and have shown considerable genetic improvement. The average 4, 5 and 6 week body weight of the selected and the control line during 42nd generation is given in Table 2. The total genetic improvement measured as % superiority of the selected over the control line has been 65 to 72 % over 42 generations in the growth selected lines.

Table 2. Av. body wt (g) of selected and control lines of quails

A stock of White Plumage, referred to as “Punjab White Quail” has been developed and released by the “Varietal Release Committee” for commercial production. It has the potential to attain an average 5-week body weight of around 225 g.

The eggs are extensively used for the preparation of pickles. Quail meat is believed to be beneficial against certain ailments. The meat contains higher proportions of carbohydrates and Vit. B12. Quails are less susceptible to common diseases of poultry. The university supplies quail eggs, day-old chicks and 5-week old dressed/live birds.

• Buffalo:
• Murrah Bull No. 1354, 1875, 1994, 2045, 2133, 2185, 2234, 2269 and 2357 of various sets have been top ranked at National level by ICAR under Network Project on Buffalo Improvement- Murrah.
• Data recording system has been developed under field condition for Cattle and Buffaloes under ICAR projects.
• Nili Ravi breed is considered to be one of the major milch breeds of buffalo. Under the ongoing conservation plans adopted by the Ministry of Animal Husbandry and dairying, Government of India, a Network Project on Nili Ravi buffalo has been allotted to the university in 2017 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
• The average 305-day milk yield of the elite herd used for production of young bull calves was recorded as 2922 kg.
• The highest production in Nili Ravi buffalo was recorded as 3871.2 kg and 4634 kg milk in 305d lactation length and complete lactation, respectively with a peak yield of 20.7 kg.
• The dissemination of superior germplasm is one of the foremost priorities of the project and semen of outstanding Nili Ravi bull No. 507 with dam yield of 4247 kg  is available to supply the dairy farmers to improve the Nili Ravi buffaloes in the state

Poultry 

• Released IBL80 broiler variety in 1980 having 6 week body weight of 1600 g.
• Developed parent lines of PB1 and PB2 chicken.
• Improved strain of Punjab Brown native chicken has been developed after collection from field area.
• Development of low input climate resilient backyard poultry varieties (Desi cross 1 and 2).
• Punjab White quail variety has been developed. 
•  IBL80 colored broiler variety has been developed and released by the university