Nonlinear modelling of sheep and goat populations in India

The objective of this paper was to study the trend in population of sheep and goat populations during 1951 to 2012 in India. The data were compiled from various issues of BAHS (Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics) for the period 1951 to 2012. Different nonlinear growth models such as Parabolic/Sikka, Brody, Brody modified, Wood, Logistic and Gompertz models were fitted to the census data of sheep and goat population. The goodness of fit of the models was tested by Coefficient of determination (R2), Adjusted coefficient of determination (R2), Mean Square Error (MSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Akaike Information Criteria (AIC). The populations of sheep and goat in India during the year 1951 were 39.10 million and 47.20 million numbers respectively and reached 135.17 million and 65.06 million respectively in the year 2012. Based on the various measures of goodness of fit we observed that the Parabolic/Sikka model was the best fitted model for studying the pattern in the populations of sheep and goat in India. This model has been used to project the sheep and goat population in India during 2020, 2025 and 2030. If the present pattern of growth continued in near future then the projected sheep population will be 102.37 million numbers whereas goat population will be 151.57 million numbers in the year 2030. The present study will provide the pattern in which the changes have been observed in sheep and goat populations in India during 1951 to 2012

Effect of Simulated Heat Stress on Digestibility, Methane Emission and Metabolic Adaptability in Crossbred Cattle

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of simulated heat stress on digestibility and methane (CH4) emission. Four non-lactating crossbred cattle were exposed to 25°C, 30°C, 35°C, and 40°C temperature with a relative humidity of 40% to 50% in a climatic chamber from 10:00 hours to 15:00 hours every day for 27 days. The physiological responses were recorded at 15:00 hours every day. The blood samples were collected at 15:00 hours on 1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, and 21st days and serum was collected for biochemical analysis. After 21 days, fecal and feed samples were collected continuously for six days for the estimation of digestibility. In the last 48 hours gas samples were collected continuously to estimate CH4 emission. Heat stress in experimental animals at 35°C and 40°C was evident from an alteration (p<0.05) in rectal temperature, respiratory rate, pulse rate, water intake and serum thyroxin levels. The serum lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase activity and protein, urea, creatinine and triglyceride concentration changed (p<0.05), and body weight of the animals decreased (p<0.05) after temperature exposure at 40°C. The dry matter intake (DMI) was lower (p<0.05) at 40°C exposure. The dry matter and neutral detergent fibre digestibilities were higher (p<0.05) at 35°C compared to 25°C and 30°C exposure whereas, organic matter (OM) and acid detergent fibre digestibilities were higher (p<0.05) at 35°C than 40°C thermal exposure. The CH4 emission/kg DMI and organic matter intake (OMI) declined (p<0.05) with increase in exposure temperature and reached its lowest levels at 40°C. It can be concluded from the present study that the digestibility and CH4 emission were affected by intensity of heat stress. Further studies are necessary with respect to ruminal microbial changes to justify the variation in the digestibility and CH4 emission during differential heat stress

Modelling of Rhode Island Red chicken strains

To study the growth pattern in body weight of 3 strains of Rhode Island Red chicken Bertalanffy, gompertz and logistic nonlinear models were fitted. From the data on body weights of three strains of Rhode Island Red, we observed that average body weights of male chicken were higher than the female chicken. Based on the various measures of goodness fit criteria we have observed that in modelling of body weight of the Rhode Island Red chicken Bertalanffy was the best fitted model. In case of Rhode Island Control, Bertalanffy was the best fitted model and for Rhode Island Control male chicken logistic was the best fitted model. In case of Rhode Island White chicken logistic was the best fitted model and in case of Rhode Island White male chicken Bertalanffy was the best fitted model. In case of female chicken of Rhode Island Red, Rhode Island Control and Rhode Island White strains gompertz model was the best fitted model. From these fitted models one can determine the expected average body weight of a group of birds of three strains of RIR chicken at any given age under normal conditions

Non-linear modelling to describe lactation curve in Gir crossbred cows

Abstract Background The modelling of lactation curve provides guidelines in formulating farm managerial practices in dairy cows. The aim of the present study was to determine the suitable non-linear model which most accurately fitted to lactation curves of five lactations in 134 Gir crossbred cows reared in Research-Cum-Development Project (RCDP) on Cattle farm, MPKV (Maharashtra). Four models viz. gamma-type function, quadratic model, mixed log function and Wilmink model were fitted to each lactation separately and then compared on the basis of goodness of fit measures viz. adjusted R2, root mean square error (RMSE), Akaike’s Informaion Criteria (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC). Results In general, highest milk yield was observed in fourth lactation whereas it was lowest in first lactation. Among the models investigated, mixed log function and gamma-type function provided best fit of the lactation curve of first and remaining lactations, respectively. Quadratic model gave least fit to lactation curve in almost all lactations. Peak yield was observed as highest and lowest in fourth and first lactation, respectively. Further, first lactation showed highest persistency but relatively higher time to achieve peak yield than other lactations. Conclusion Lactation curve modelling using gamma-type function may be helpful to setting the management strategies at farm level, however, modelling must be optimized regularly before implementing them to enhance productivity in Gir crossbred cows

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Not AvailableThe present study aims to find out a suitable growth model of Vanaraja, a new bird of poultry. Five different nonlinear growth models were attempted, among which Richards growth model was seemed to be the best model to represent the growth pattern of the poultry bird. The asymptotic weight of the bird given by Richards model was 2.516 kg approximately.Not Availabl

Agribusiness Opportunities of Ornamental Fisheries in North-Eastern Region of India

The North-Eastern region produces the bulk of India’s ornamental fish exports but remains unattended for developing market opportunities. Several agribusiness opportunities can be explored through systematic collection and selling of native ornamental fish (wild catch) as well as rearing of exotic ornamental fish species (captive breeding) suitable in the region. In view of these, the present study has analysed the economic (social perspective) and financial (private perspective) viabilities of development of ornamental fisheries in the North-Eastern region. It has been concluded that the agribusiness opportunities can be realized at every stage, namely, production, marketing and conservation of ornamental fishes. The ornamental fish production in the NE region has been observed to be financially as well as economically viable and investment-friendly. With the initiatives by the government such as providing incentive to establish ornamental fish production unit, considerable private investment can be attracted to this industry, which would generate additional employment opportunities in this area. The concerted efforts of the government as well as key institutions can increase the ornamental fish production substantially in the region, which in turn, can gain a larger share in the world market. Public-private partnership can be encouraged through establishment of ornamental fish production units in different parts of the NE region to make the ornamental fishery sector more vibrant and remunerative

Agribusiness Opportunities of Ornamental Fisheries in North-Eastern Region of India

The North-Eastern region produces the bulk of India’s ornamental fish exports but remains unattended for developing market opportunities. Several agribusiness opportunities can be explored through systematic collection and selling of native ornamental fish (wild catch) as well as rearing of exotic ornamental fish species (captive breeding) suitable in the region. In view of these, the present study has analysed the economic (social perspective) and financial (private perspective) viabilities of development of ornamental fisheries in the North-Eastern region. It has been concluded that the agribusiness opportunities can be realized at every stage, namely, production, marketing and conservation of ornamental fishes. The ornamental fish production in the NE region has been observed to be financially as well as economically viable and investment-friendly. With the initiatives by the government such as providing incentive to establish ornamental fish production unit, considerable private investment can be attracted to this industry, which would generate additional employment opportunities in this area. The concerted efforts of the government as well as key institutions can increase the ornamental fish production substantially in the region, which in turn, can gain a larger share in the world market. Public-private partnership can be encouraged through establishment of ornamental fish production units in different parts of the NE region to make the ornamental fishery sector more vibrant and remunerative.Agribusiness,

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Not AvailableClimate change impact varies across different altitudinal ranges and demands local specific management strategies for water resource and farming system management. The present study analyses spacio-temporal climate parameters across different altitudes of Himachal Pradesh a hilly state of India. Analysis shows that annually, minimum temperature has significantly decreased by -0.09°C at altitude I (350 - 400 m) while maximum temperature has significantly increased by 0.05°C at altitudes I and II (1400- 1500 m) and decreased significantly by -0.08°C at altitude III (2000- 2100 m). Higher regions Altitude – IV (2900-3000 m) received lowest rainfall (746.1 mm) with 30.2 % variation. Seasonal rainfall variability was higher in post monsoon (102 - 174%) and least in monsoon (21 - 57%). Annual rainfall at altitude I is strongly irregular (PCI 20.1 to 22.3), followed by altitude – IV (PCI 15-25); altitude – II irregular (PCI 15-20) and altitude – III moderate to irregular (PCI 12 -19) rainfall. Seasonal Index values for four altitudes fall between 0.91-0.96 revealed that rainfall is irregular and markedly seasonal with longer drier season. Higher wavelet powers in altitude - I and II after 2005 suggests frequency of extreme rainfall occurrence had increased.Not Availabl