eChapters

Livestock sector has emerged as one of the key components of agricultural growth in developing countries in last few decades. This sector plays a significant role in the economic progress of India as it contributes 26% to the agricultural GDP and provides employment to around 18 million people. Over 70% of the rural households in India depends on livestock farming for supplementary income and is considered as an important instrument in poverty alleviation. It provides the major extra contribution to agriculture through manure, fuel fertilizer, apart from meat and milk that grant a regular supplementary income and employment not only to producers but also to huge size of the population engaged in secondary and tertiary business related to livestock. The economy of Jammu and Kashmir is also agriculture dependent and is the main occupation of majority of the rural people who earn their livelihood from it. Census figures 2011 signify that about 73% of the population of J&K lives in rural areas and are associated with agriculture and allied sectors including livestock rearing as main occupation.

Traveling with your dog can be a delightful experience, whether you're embarking on a road trip, flying to a distant destination, or simply visiting friends and family. However, it requires careful planning and preparation to ensure your dog's safety, comfort, and well-being. This guide covers the essential aspects of traveling with your dog, providing tips and best practices for a smooth journey.

Preparing for the Journey

Health Check and Documentation

1. Veterinary Check-up: Before any trip, schedule a visit to the vet to ensure your dog is healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations. Discuss any travel-specific health concerns with your vet.

2. Documentation: Carry a copy of your dog’s medical records, including vaccination certificates, in case they are needed during your trip. Some destinations require proof of rabies vaccination and other health certifications.

5.1. Introduction

A dry cow is a cow that is not producing milk. Usually cow remains in-milk for about 305 days (average lactation length), after that it remains for a period of about 60 days in dry condition (not giving milk) called dry period. Dry period is critical for a cow for regeneration of her udder and reserve nutrients for the next lactation, otherwise, milk production will not be upto the mark and the cow may suffer from several metabolic diseases after parturition. A dry cow is just as valuable as a lactating cow, therefore should be not neglected. A dry cow management programme includes nutrition, general management and health control programme.

4.1. Introduction

Heifers are young female cattle from 12 months of age to first calving. Heifer management is important as they are future cow of the herd. Proper growth and body condition of the heifers are associated with their early sexual maturity and age at first breeding, and their later productive and reproductive performances, when they become cow. Thus, proper care and management of the heifers is necessary to establish a good dairy herd.

Introduction Care and management of calf • Begins before its birth. • Good dairy herds are raised rather than purchased. • Dam should be dried 6-8 weeks before expected calving and should be fed well. • Underfed dam will give weak and small calves. Steps of calf management 1.  Removal of mucous • Immediately after birth:  removal of mucous or phlegm from nostril, mouth, eyes & ears for normal breathing. • Rub and dry the calf with a dry cloth or gunny bag • If cow not licking: sprinkle a little common salt on calf’s body. • If calf does not start breathing: Provide artificial respiration by: • Compressing and relaxing the chest with hands • Swinging • Inserting twig in nostril 2.  Ligation of naval cord • Cutting of naval cord: ligate-2.5cm & cutting-1cm below.

Small ruminant sector, after agriculture, is the second largest means for economic sustainability and livelihood in India. It contributed Rs. 32000 crore to the gross domestic product of India in 2012 -13 despite having a potential to contribute over Rs. 150,000 crore but there are certain lacunae in system which act as its growth inhibitor. Small ruminants are the main source for rural economies due to participation of women (70% of total) and weaker sections of the rural society. Thus there is urgent need for formulating policies to support the development of the small ruminant sector.
 
Sheep and goat husbandry is a tool for poverty alleviation of the rural masses because of wide adaptability with low investments, high fertility and fecundity, low feed and management costs, higher feed conversion efficiency, quick pay off and low risk in comparison to large ruminants. The above traits of small ruminants need to be exploited for economic upliftment of small farmers.

CARE AND MANAGEMENT

Pregnant female should be fed with green, fresh vegetable, green leaves. Only with good management, healthy young ones can be expected. Similar to birds, rabbits have Nest building behaviour. Around 25 days of pregnancy, keep the pregnant animal in cage provided with bedding material separately. Around 28 days, the female makes nest by pulling the fur from abdominal region and also bedding material. The fur from abdominal region is pulled to make teats clean for young ones to suck milk. If female makes good nest, it can be concluded that it will be a good mother. Some females due to disturbance are unable to make nest and also abandon young ones, go astray.

Act of parturition in rabbit is kindling and it takes place in early hours of day and late evenings. Full process is completed in 90 minutes. In some females, aggressive behaviour is seen. Such aggressive females have good mothering ability.

The young seedling stock and rooted cuttings as well as nursery plants require proper care and nourishment. The operations to be performed regularly in nurseries are as follows.

1. Shifting of plants: The nursery plants grown in the pots or polybags are to be shifted once in 2-3 months to avoid root penetration into the soil. If the taproot penetrates deep into the soil, the chances of mortality increases. Hence shifting of grafts and potted plants has to be done at the said intervals
2. Removal of rootstock sprouts: Once has to keep a constant watch on the sprouts arising on the rootstock, which are to be nipped off as and when, observed, to encourage rapid growth of scion shoots.
3. Irrigation: The young tender seedlings are exacting in their water requirement. Proper and judicious irrigation is an important indicator of a healthy nursery, which solves many problems in the nursery. There are many methods adopted in nurseries. However, it depends upon water availability, kind of nursery plants and its growth stage, etc. These methods are flow or flood irrigation, furrow irrigation, overhead irrigation through rose cans, automizers or sprinkler systems, etc.

Natural disasters like cyclone, earthquakes, flood etc. can happen suddenly and put everyone, including our pets, in danger. Taking care of your dog during such situation means being prepared, staying calm and knowing what to do. This article provides simple steps to help you care for your dog during a disaster.

Before a Disaster make an emergency plan

i. Find Safe Spots: Identify safe places in your home and community where you can go with your dog.

ii. Know evacuation routes: Plan different ways to leave your home in case one way is blocked and find pet-friendly shelters in your area.

iii. Emergency Contacts: Keep a list of important contacts, such as your vet, local animal control, and pet-friendly hotels.

Managing the care of a pregnant dog and supporting her through the whelping process requires careful attention, preparation, and understanding. Ensuring the health and safety of both the mother and her puppies is paramount. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to care for a dog during pregnancy and whelping, including nutritional needs, veterinary care, creating a whelping area, and post-birth care.

Understanding Canine Pregnancy

Gestation Period

• The gestation period for dogs is approximately 63 days, though it can range from 58 to 68 days.

Signs of Pregnancy

• Early signs include increased appetite, slight weight gain, and changes in behavior such as increased affection.

• Around the fourth week, the abdomen may start to swell, and by the sixth week, noticeable weight gain and enlarged nipples are common.

6.1. Introduction

Care of cows at and after calving is vital for successful birth and maintaining the cow and calf in proper health condition. Calving is a high risk event in terms of both cow and calf health, and is associated with most of the health problems. New born calves are born sterile and it gets infection from the surroundings which depends on the maintenance of hygienic environment and care of the just after birth. The fresh cows are susceptible to a number of metabolic diseases and infections due decrease immune status of the cow. Preparation and care during this period will minimize sickness and death of the cow and calf.

7.1. Introduction

The lactating cows are important assets of a dairy farm. The profitability and viability of the dairy farm mainly depend on the overall milk production. The lactation cycle of the cow can be divided into different phases for efficient management as milk production, DM intake and body weight vary considerably during the different phases. In the early lactation, lactating animals loose body weight drastically and they are prone to various metabolic disorders. Efficient nutritional management during lactation is required to support the high milk production, persistency of lactation and health of the cows. Another most important event is the post partum oestrus and subsequent conception, which depends on the care and management of the cows during this period. Therefore, proper care and management of the lactating cows are essential to harvest maximum amount of milk from healthy cows in a sustainable way.

Calves play an important role in the dairy development and successful growth of young calves to mature stage is required for herd replacement and to get economic returns when they are sold. Good calf-care is important for sustenance of the dairy form and preservation and maintenance of good quality germplasm.

Trees are the largest plant components of gardens and landscapes. However much architectural features dwarf them, for human beings, they are the largest living entities in the environment. Profoundly influencing our habits, styles of habitation, culture and daily life, trees have been revered, sanctified and given symbolic importance and above all, depended upon as means of livelihood by entire communities through the ages. Through folklore, traditional knowledge and rituals, the usefulness of trees has been handed down from generation to generation-in societies all over the world. In India, cave paintings and carvings in addition to ancient literary works document the aesthetic and medicinal knowledge of our forefathers about trees found in the sub-continent.

Trees differ in stature, branching habit, girth of trunk and branches, canopy structure, outline and crown shape. The colour of the foliage, its texture, glaze, shape and size, foliage colour, floral features and season of flowering also differ among trees. These characteristics in addition to giving distinctiveness, also determine their ornamental use in gardens and landscapes. In tropical gardens evergreen dicotyledons and palms dominate among the trees, whereas in temperate situations evergreen conifers are selected over the deciduous dicots for tree planting. Palms among trees are universally grown as avenue trees or as clumps in areas where they can be easily grown while the other trees are grown as such or pruned and trained into various forms or as bonsai in gardens.

Introduction: Most young rabbits will be used for meat and skins; some will be kept for breeding. Whatever they are used for, the rabbit keeper will benefit if they are well cared for.

Handling of Rabbits: There will be times in any rabbitry when the animals will have to be picked up, e.g. when a doe is moved to a breeding hutch or when young rabbits are weaned.

When it is necessary to pick up a rabbit for any purpose, the aim should be to cause it no discomfort and to prevent it struggling. So it must be handled gently but firmly. There are three ways to hold a rabbit according to its size. 

1. INTRODUCTION

There are many countries surrounded by the waters of the Caribbean Sea. These countries vary widely in size, topography, ethnicity, language spoken, agricultural production systems, main sources of income, income levels and styles of governance, to name a few.

This analysis covers only the countries where English is spoken as the first language. These countries are linked through a grouping of Caribbean Communities, called CARICOM, an organization of 15 Caribbean nations and their dependencies. It starts with Jamaica in the North to Trinidad and Tobago in the South, but also includes Belize in Central America and Guyana and Suriname in South America. Although French speaking Haiti and Dutch speaking Suriname belong to CARICOM, they are not discussed because of the language barrier. The other French speaking islands (Guadeloupe and Martinique) and the Spanish speaking islands (mainly the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Puerto Rico) have different administrations for agricultural development. CARICOM countries stretching from the tip of Florida, USA, in the North to Venezuela in South America. CARICOM includes Belize in Central America and Guyana and Suriname in South America.

As dogs age, their needs change significantly, requiring adjustments in their care routine to ensure they remain healthy, comfortable, and happy in their golden years. Caring for a senior dog involves paying attention to their evolving physical and emotional needs, managing health issues proactively, and providing a supportive and nurturing environment. This article outlines the key aspects of caring for senior dogs, focusing on health and comfort.

Recognizing When Your Dog is a Senior

Dogs are generally considered seniors at around seven years old, although this can vary depending on breed and size. Larger breeds tend to age faster than smaller breeds. Signs of aging include graying fur, decreased energy levels, stiffness, and changes in behavior or appetite.

Health Care for Senior Dogs

Regular Veterinary Check-ups

Frequency: Increase the frequency of veterinary visits to at least twice a year. Regular check-ups can help detect and manage health issues early. Comprehensive Exams: Ensure the vet conducts comprehensive exams, including blood tests, dental check-ups, and screenings for common age related conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, kidney disease, and cancer.

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) is a member of the family Caryophyllaceae. Dianthus word was first coined by Theophrastus from Greek word “dios” meaning divine and “anthos” meaning flower. It is a half hardy, perennial plant, propagated commercially by terminal cuttings. It is being produced as a cut flower in the world. Carnation cut flower trade contributed about 15% of the world flower market. Till now, new carnation varieties have been produced mainly through conventional breeding method. The breeding procedure typically consists of hybridization, self-pollination and selection (Holly and Baker, 1992). The breeding programme did not get enough momentum due to heterozygosity, limited gene pool and inadequate knowledge of genetic make up. However genetic engineering and molecular breeding have opened the way to achieve novel colour and good vase life of flowers.

ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION

It is native of Mediterranean region and its distribution is restricted to Greece, Italy, Sicily and Sardinia (Tutin et al., 1993). According to Pliny, the centre of origin of carnation is Spain. The generic name Dianthus comes from writing of the Theophrastus who lived about 300 BC; dios, divine and anthos, flower; the flower of the gods. The species name caryophyllus is coined from Greek word Caryon, nut and phyllon, leaf. Linnaeus chose the species name, caryophyllus, after the genus of clove, as the fragrance from carnation is reminiscent of clove. The common word carnation probably comes from a Greek word coronation because of its use as decorating the crowns of Greek athletes during ancient times. Carnation has been cultivated for over 2000 years and today commercial cultivation is the result of 200 years of improvement and breeding. During sixteenth century its improvement work was started in various countries. The gardens of Italy, France, Germany, Holland and England have contributed much to the development of cultivars. The natural climates for carnation occur near 30^o N or S latitudes of equator and on the western edges of the continents.

Carnation is one of the world's most important commercial cut flowers and is extensively produced under protected conditions for domestic and export markets. This chapter examines its origin, distribution, genetics, botanical characteristics, types and commercially important varieties. It describes protected cultivation, greenhouse design, climate management, soil, propagation, planting, irrigation, fertigation, pinching, disbudding, staking and growth regulation. Major pests and diseases, harvesting, grading, postharvest handling, vase life and yield are also discussed. The chapter incorporates modern cultivars, disease-resistant varieties and genetically modified colour developments, making it valuable for contemporary commercial carnation production and floriculture education

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) is a member of the family Caryophyllaceae. Dianthus word was first coined by Theophrastus from Greek word “dios” meaning divine and “anthos” meaning flower. It is a half hardy, perennial plant, propagated commercially by terminal cuttings. It is being produced as a cut flower in the world. Carnation cut flower trade contributed about 15% of the world flower market. Till now, new carnation varieties have been produced mainly through conventional breeding method. The breeding procedure typically consists of hybridization, self-pollination and selection (Holly and Baker, 1992). The breeding programme did not get enough momentum due to heterozygosity, limited gene pool and inadequate knowledge of genetic make up. However genetic engineering and molecular breeding have opened the way to achieve novel colour and good vase life of flowers.