eChapters

A hybrid is the first generation progeny of a cross between two genetically different identical inbred lines. The individual lines are known as inbreds.  Ineffective cross-pollination is a major constraint in a commercial production of hybrid seeds in many crop species. In such crops manual pollination is the way to produce hybrid seeds. Eg. Cotton. In the case of rice it is highly self-pollinated crop and cross-pollination is a big problem. The increased vigour, uniformity and yield of F1 hybrid have been exploited in most crops where the pollination system allows for convenient and economic cross hybridization.  This system is called breeding tool in exploiting the hybrid vigour.

The term heterosis from Greek means hetero different, osis-condition was coined by skull (1914).

Heterosis or hybrid vigour, refers to the increase or decrease in vigour of off spring (hybrid) over parents. Usually, theses two terms are used synonymous.   But hybrid vigour refers to increased vigour; Heterosis both increased and decreased vigour.

Superiority of the hybrid as hybrid vigour and the mechanism by which this superiority is developed is heterosis (Rangaswamy, 1998).

Seed Production Technology

1.    Paddy
2.    Sorghum
3.    Bajra        
4.    Maize              
5.    Blackgram    
6.    Soyabean                
7.    Cowpea             
8.    Redgram 
9.    Groundnut
10.    Sunflower
11.    Castor       
12.    Gingelly
13.    Tomato
14.    Brinjal
15.    Chilli
16.    Bhendi

The degree of excellence in regard to the physical and genetical characterstics of seeds is called as Seed quality. Seed lots having high genetic purity and high germination percentage and minimum inert, weed and other crop seed and are free from diseases and pest attack, it is said to be a high quality seeds. If it is lacking in any of these qualities, it is said to be low quality seed lots. Only good quality seeds expected to respond well for fertilizers and other inputs used.
 
Viability: It is the ability of embryo to live, grow and develop into a seedling under favorable conditions. The seeds attained maximum viability at physiological maturity stage. Later on seeds start to loss viability.

Multiplication and distribution of high quality seed of improved varieties is a crucial step in agricultural production of any country.

When an entry is identified by the workshop of the concerned project, the breeder begins the seed multiplication of the strain in the following crop season. The seed produced by the breeder after a strain is identified, but before it is released as a variety is termed as the “stock seed”. This seed is known as breeder seed after it is released and notified. In the crop season following notification foundation seed of newly released variety is produced. In the second crop season following the release of variety, certified seed of the variety is produced. Thus the farmer is able to obtain certified seed of a newly released variety for commercial cultivation only in the third crop season following in the notification of the variety. However the seed of such variety reach the farmer even before its release through mini-kit trials. Many other farmers would obtain the seeds from those farmers who conducted the mini kit trials and so on in the next two years. Thus an outstanding variety is likely to reach many farmers even before its certified seeds have been put on sale.

Seed

A true seed is defined as a fertilized mature ovule consisting of embryo, stored material and protective coats. The seed strictly speaking is an embryo a living organism embedded in the supporting or the food storage tissue.

A seed stands for any of the following used for sowing or planting.

1.    Seeds of food crops including edible oil seeds and seeds of fruit and vegetables.
2.    Cotton seeds
3.    Seeds of cattle fodder
4.    Jute seeds
5.    Seedlings, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, roots, cuttings, all type of grafts and other vegetative propagated material for food crops or cattle fodder.

Seed technology is defined as “that discipline of study having to do with seed production, maintenance quality and preservation (Cowan, 1973).

Feistritzer (1975) has defined seed technology as the method through which the genetic and physical characteristic of seeds could be improved. It involves such activities as variety development, evaluation and release, seed production, seed processing, seed storage, seed testing, seed certification, seed quality control and seed marketing etc.

So seed technology in widest sense, includes development of superior crop plant varieties, their evaluation and release, seed production, seed processing, seed storage, seed testing, seed certification, seed quality control, seed marketing, seed distribution and the related research on these aspects,

The major goal of seed technology is to increase agricultural production through the spread of good quality seeds of high yielding varieties. To achieve this goal, the quality seeds must be rapidly multiplied and supplied to the farmers at proper time with the reasonable price.

I. Dairy Farm Equipments

A. First Aid
1. Abscess
What to Do

    ·    Abscesses should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible and within 24 hours.
 
    ·    Fluid may normally drain from the site of an abscess. An abscess does not drain through the tube, but rather around the latex tubing. Therefore, it is important for you to clean the area around the drain twice daily with warm water.

    ·    Apply a hot compress to the affected site at least two times daily for 3 to 5 days after the animal leaves the hospital. Wet a clean washcloth with very warm water and place it directly over the affected site, and then apply gentle pressure ideally for 5 to 10 minutes.

General Signs of Healthy and Ill Animals

Health

It is a state of freedom from disease. It may also be stated as a condition of an animal in which all the body organs are normal and are functioning to their optimum capacity in relation to animal’s age, sex, work, and production with optimum pulse, temperature and respiration rates appropriate to the species, sex and environment.

Disease

Disease may be any deterioration from normal health or normal functioning of any or all the tissues or organs of animal body. Thus, it shuns animal to perform its normal physiological functions though the nutritional and environmental parameters are maintained normal.

Milk

Importance

Milk contains approximately 86% water, 4.7% sugar (lactose), 4.1% fat, 4.2% protein and 1% minerals. It supports the growth of micro-organisms and thus is prone to contamination. The purpose of milking a dairy cow is to obtain milk that is fit for human consumption. Milk from the udder of a healthy cow contains very few bacteria and to ensure that it remains fresh for long it should be handled under conditions of good hygiene. Unclean milk can be a source of disease to the consumer, rejected at the market and so is a loss to the farmer, does not keep for long and is not good for processing.

Breeding of Heifers

    ·    Regardless of age, puberty is reached when a heifer weighs approximately 40% of her mature body weight.
 
    ·    Breeding however, is recommended when a heifer has reached 60% of her expected mature body weight. This is normally achieved when the heifer is 14 to 16 months old.
 
    ·    Smaller breeds may be bred one or two months earlier than large breeds because they mature faster.
 
    ·    Heifers in good condition and gaining weight at breeding time generally show more definite signs of estrus and have improved conception rates over heifers in poor condition and/or losing weight.
 
    ·    Over-conditioned or fat heifers have been reported to require more services per conception than heifers of normal size and weight.

Management of Calf

Management before birth

    ·    As calf management begins before birth, a few days before the calf is born, the pregnant cow is transferred to a maternity paddock, which should be near the homestead (for closer observation), well watered and free from physical objects.
 
    ·    The signs of imminent parturition (calving) include filling of udder with milk and is turgid, vulva swollen with a string of mucus hanging from vagina.
 
    ·    Insemination records can also be used to estimate the expected calving date.

Introduction

The dairy farmers mostly keep cows (indigenous and crossbred) along with few buffaloes for milk production. However, the genetic potential of the dairy animals is exploited fully, when they are fed with well balanced ration. Further, as feed cost is around 75% of the total cost of production, the success of the dairy farming depends not only on the quality of the ration, but also on the economy of the ration. Therefore, knowledge on the feeds and feeding of dairy animals is highly essential.

What is Feed?

Feed may be defined as supplementation of nutrients for development, maintenance and operation of day to day activities by animals.

An efficient management of animals will be incomplete without a well planned and adequate housing of animals. Improper planning of animal housing leads to additional labor charges. The housing should have proper sanitation, durability, arrangements for the production of clean milk under convenient and economic conditions.

a) General Housing Requirements

Dairy animals will be more efficient in the production of milk and in reproduction if they are protected from extreme heat, and particularly from direct sunshine. This can be achieved through provision of shade in tropical and subtropical climates. If dairy animals are confined, the area should be free of mud and manure in order to reduce hoof infection to a minimum. Concrete floors or pavements are ideal where the area per animal is limited. However, where ample space is available, an earth yard, properly sloped for good drainage is adequate.

A) Selection of Dairy Cattle

Proper selection is the first and the most important step to be adopted in dairying. Records are the basis of selection and hence proper identification of animals and record keeping is essential. Cross-breed animals with exotic inheritance of about 50 percent are preferable.
 
Bringing animals from different agro-climatic conditions causes problems due to non-adjustment in many cases. In case, purchase becomes absolutely essential it should be from similar environmental conditions as far as possible.

General selection procedures for dairy breeds

Selecting a calf in calf show, a cow in cattle show by judging is an art. A dairy farmer should build up his own herd by breeding his own herd. Following guidelines will be useful for selection of a dairy cow.

Interest Rate : Provisional Interest rate @ 14.50% p.a. has been taken for evaluation of the project report. However, the sanctioning authority may consider the exact rate of interest applicable, on the date of sanction. Development of farm should be completed within 3 months from first disbursement.
 
Repayment of loan : A five-year repayment programme has been drawn with six months moratorium period, the installments will be monthly starting from 6th month onwards. The applicant has to make tie-up with the local MPCS and the repayment should be routed through the MPCS.

Interest Rate: Provisional Interest rate @ 15.75% p.a. has been taken for evaluation of the project report. However, the exact interest rate will be decided by the sanctioning authority on the date of sanction.

Disbursement of loan: Funds for fodder cultivation and civil construction should be disbursed first. Development of sheds and fodder plots should be completed within 3 months from first disbursement. Then disbursement of 1^st Batch cow (10 animals) will be done. Last disbursement for 2^nd Batch cows (10 animals) should be done after 5-6 months of purchase of 1^st batch cows.

Insurance: The animals and other assets (sheds, equipment) must be insured. Wherever necessary, Risk / Mortality fund may be considered in lieu of dairy insurance.

Assumptions

    ·    Freshly calved animals in 1st or 2nd lactation are purchased in two batches of five animals each at an interval of 5 to 6 months.

    ·    Cost of rearing calves not considered as it will be nullified by their sale value or retention value.

    ·    Fodder cultivation considered in two acres and working capital for one crop / season considered. Two crops considered per year.
 
    ·    Manure is utilized for fodder cultivation.

Model Project for Setting Up 10 & 20 Cow Dairy Farm (Indicative)

    ·    The models are only indicative and in no way designed to provide exact economics. Following guidelines may be used by the interested persons to work out the details of their project, depending upon the local market and conditions.

    ·    An interactive module considering the land availability for fodder cultivation, willingness to opt for silage bunkers, type of chaff cutter (manual or machine operated), milking machine, mister set, etc. is under preparation.

    ·    The proposed interactive module would require preference for set of inputs and intended herd size and accordingly generate output outlining the estimated investment, cost and return.

Introduction

Dairy is vital to the economics of many developing countries. Animals are a source of food, more specifically protein for human diets, income, employment and possibly foreign exchange. For low income producers, dairy can serve as a store of wealth; provide draught power and organic fertilizer for crop production and a means of transport. Consumption of dairy and dairy products in developing countries, though starting from a low base, is growing rapidly. Dairying has become an important secondary source of income for millions of rural families and has assumed a most important role in providing employment and income generating opportunity. Indian Dairying is unique in more than one ways. It ranks first with its 199.1 million cattle & 105.3 million buffaloes accounting for about 51 percent of Asia’s and about 19 per cent of world’s bovine population. It also ranks first in milk production with a production of 121.8 million tones in 2010-11 and the demand is expected to be 180 million tones by 2020. To achieve this demand annual growth rate in milk production has to be increased from the present 2.5 % to 5%. Thus, there is a tremendous scope/potential for increasing the milk production through profitable dairy farming. Besides milk, the manure from animals provides a good source of organic matter for improving soil fertility and crop yields.