Technologies used at advanced dairy farms for optimizing the performance of dairy animals: A review

Superior germplasm, better nutrition strategies, health care facilities and improved dairy husbandry practices have boosted milk yield and its quality with a rapid rate. Per cow productivity has risen up sharply with considerable increase in the population of dairy animals. Recent era has witnessed the extension of large dairy farms around the world. Demand for high quality and increased quantity of milk is of the prime concern for all the dairy farms. With an increase in the size of animals in a farm, the labour requirement also rises up. Availability of skilled labour at low wage rate is becoming difficult. In last couple of decades, the cost of microprocessors has been reduced to an affordable level. The economic availability of engineered processors, artificial intelligence, improved data statistics combined with expert suggestions has created a revolution in livestock farming. Advanced engineered devices have become alternative to reduce high labour cost. This review focuses on latest knowledge and emerging developments in animal’s welfare focused biomarker activities and activity-based welfare assessment like oestrus, lameness and others. Use of enhanced sensors and data technologies with expert based solutions is anticipated to bring out a substantial improvement in existing dairy farming practices

Socio-economic aspects of dromedary camel management in hot arid desert ecosystem

This research is on socio-economic aspects of dromedary camel management in hot arid desert ecosyste

<b style="">Scope of value addition to camel hide</b>

387-390Camel hides are utilized as natural product for preparation of a variety of consumer goods. In olden days it was popularly utilized for storing of ghee and oil under village condition. Hide of young calves are useful for making furs and those of adults are used for making leather. There is a great potentiality of utilization of camel hide as natural furs. The available trained persons engaged in rural cottage industry should be given proper incentives, training and facilities for promoting the utilization of camel hide. The paper deals with present status, future prospects and advantages of camel hide utilization

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Not AvailableThe present farming system research was carried out in eighteen arid villages of two districts in Rajasthan covering four zones. Analysis of data indicated that mixed farming (51.08%) was the major occupation although 48.91 % of respondents opted animal husbandry as major occupation. The advantages of camel in comparison to tractor were so many where as maximum number of demerits of tractor in comparison to camel were perceived by arid farmers with favorable attitude towards the utilization of camel. Most of the farmers having 1 camel (88.64%) fed their animal at household level where as farmers having more than 4 camels, majority of them reared their camel in extensive management practices. The Chi-square test indicated that camel keeping pattern significantly (P< 0.01) influenced feeding management practices. Hence suitable measures need to be taken to conserve the indigenous camel with proper feeding management in changing socio-economic scenario.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableIn order to decide the optimum time of grazing for camels during hot summer months, 10 growing camel calves were divided into 2 equal groups. First group was sent for grazing during 10:00 h to 16:00 h daily and second group allowed for grazing during thermo neutral period. The climatic variables were recorded daily (April 2012 to March 2013). The average daily gain and total body weight gain in calves sent for grazing during relatively cool parts of day (group 2) was significantly higher as compared to group 1 calves sent as per routine farm schedule. The average intake of fodder and water from manger was higher in group 1 calves. The average DMI from manger for group 1 calves was higher as compared to group 2 calves. The comparative biometrics of camel calves in different grazing management practices revealed that body length, heart girth, height at wither, neck length were significantly (P<0.01) higher in group 2 calves as compared to group 1 calves. After 180 days of experimentation, hump circumference vertical and hind leg length were significantly (P<0.05) increased in group 2 as compared to group 1. Analysis of recorded data of climatic parameters revealed that average maximum temperature was higher during June 2012. The values of THI also were higher in monsoon and post monsoon months hence the practice of sending camel calves during relatively comfortable part of hot and hot humid months was successful in getting good growth. The relative humidity was significantly higher during morning as compared to evening period for all months. The THI was significantly lower during morning as compared to evening hours for all months in different climate for whole year. Economic analysis reveals that the cost of feed per kg body weight gain was quite less in group 2 as compared to group 1. So the practice of grazing of camel calves during cool hours of day remain profitable for farmers by looking at the body weight gain and better body conformation in climate change condition.ICA

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Not AvailableIn a feeding management experiment eight camel calves were allotted randomly into two equal groups and reared under stall feeding management condition (group-I) and under stall feeding along with grazing management practices (group-II) for a period of 173 days. The average growth rate, body weight and morpho-metric parameters viz: body length, heart girth, height at wither, neck length, and leg length (fore & hind) were significantly (P<0.01) higher in group-II animals as compared to group-I. The horizontal hump circumference was found to be similar but vertical the hump circumference varied significantly (P<0.05) between two groups. The ethological aspect of feeding behaviour indicated the order of feeding behavioural preference was for Khejri (Prosopis cineraria), followed by Phog (Calligonum polygonoides) and Ganthia (Dactyloctenioum aegyptium) among trees, bushes and grasses, respectively. Overall better performance of group-II was due to higher plane of nutrition as compared to group-I. The levels of glucose, total protein and globulin were significantly (P<0.05) higher in group II also indicated better management practices in group-II as compared to group-I. Similarly the average levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, zinc and iron as well as levels of hair minerals like sulphur, calcium, zinc and iron were also significantly (P<0.05) higher in group-II than group-I. The total feeding cost per calf was higher in group-I as compared to group-II and due to it the cost involved for one kg body weight gain was quite less and economical in group-II than group-I. Thus the practice of stall feeding along with grazing management found to be better as compared to stall feeding alone for camel calf rearing.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe study was aimed to investigate the interdependence and distribution of subclinical mastitis (SCM) and intra-mammary infection (IMI) among udder quarters in Jersey crossbred cows reared in hot-humid environment. Total 366 quarter wise morning milk samples were collected aseptically after performing California mastitis test (CMT) at milking byre itself to evaluate the incidence of infection in experimental cows maintained at cattle yard, ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal and subjected to microscopic method of somatic cell count to estimate the level of intra-mammary infection. The overall quarter wise incidence rate of IMI and SCM in Jersey crossbred cows was 54.65% and overall arithmetical mean (±SE) of test day SCC (logarithmic) was 5.377 ± 0.039. The percent incidence of SCM in different quarter was 51.14, 59.79, 48.94 and 58.70 in left fore (LF), left hind (LH), right fore (RF) and right hind (RH) quarters respectively. The higher incidence was observed in hind (59.23%) as comparison to fore (50%) quarters while incidence was found to be slightly more distributed in left (55.56%) than right side (53.76%) quarters. Further, the analysis of variance showed that there was no significant effect of quarter on the log 10SCC level. However, the mean Log 10SCC was found higher for hind and right quarters numerically only. The trend of subclinical mastitis incidence obtained in the current study point out that, the rate of incidence of SCM in different quarters was not similar and was higher in hind quarters and therefore, hind and right side quarter required attention during different udder health management programmes.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe present study was aimed to investigate the relationship of udder shape, teat-end shape, teat length, and teat diameter with intra-mammary infection in Jersey crossbred cows under hot-humid climate. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 lactating Jersey crossbred cows were evaluated for udder shape (pendulous/regular) and teat-end shape (flat/inverted/pointed) by visual examination, while teat length and teat diameter were measured usingvernier caliper. Monthly milk sampling was done for 4 months of duration. Few quarters were found as blind or nonfunctional and so, a total of 366 quarter wise milk samples were collected at the monthly interval and subjected to somatic cell count (SCC) microscopically. The data on SCC were transformed into log scale and analyzed. Results: There was a significant (p<0.01) effect of udder shape and teat-end shape on SCC level. The mean SCC level for pendulous udder was significantly (p<0.05) higher as compared to the regular shaped udder. Similarly, significantly (p<0.05) a higher level of mean SCC was found in flat teat-end shape. A significant (p<0.01) correlation was found between SCC and teat length as well as teat diameter. Conclusion: In conclusion, pendulous udder, flat and inverted teat-end, very long and thick teat were more susceptible to intra-mammary infection in Jersey crossbred cows and these traits must be considered accordingly while selecting dairy animals for future milk production.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe raw milk quality has increasing importance for producer and consumer as it is directly related to processing, production and price. The aim of present study was to determine the relationship among intramammary infection (IMI) and raw milk parameters in Jersey crossbred cows. Total 24 lactating Jersey crossbred cows were randomly selected and representative animal wise morning milk samples were collected in monthly interval for four month. The level of somatic cell count (SCC) and milk parameters (fat (%), solid non-fat (%) and pH) was estimated from the collected sample. Test day milk yield for individual animals was also recorded and then the data obtained were statistically analyzed. A significant (P<0.01) negative correlation of Log10SCC with test day milk yield, fat and SNF percentage was found, while, milk pH was highly positive correlated with Log10SCC in milk. The mean±SE values of milk yield, fat and SNF were significantly (P<0.01) lower in subclinical infected group except for SCC and pH, which were higher in subclinical infected group. It can be concluded that IMI and higher SCC adversely affect the milk production and raw milk quality parameters and these parameters can be used as useful indicator as complimentary to SCC to monitor udder health and for early diagnosis of subclinical mastitis at dairy farm.Not Availabl