eChapters

Precision feeding aims to supply animals with appropriate nutrients according to their changing physiological state, growth, production and environment. Conventional feeding plans are often static and may lead to waste, increased costs and environmental losses. This chapter introduces an AI-enabled framework integrating animal data, feed composition, growth characteristics and external factors. Regression, ensemble learning and other machine-learning models predict feed intake and weight gain, while linear programming and metaheuristic optimization generate efficient allocation plans. A decision-support system provides recommendations in real time. The approach can improve feed conversion, nutrient utilization, profitability and sustainability while reducing overfeeding, resource wastage and the environmental impact of livestock production.

Rearing animals has been amongst the most ancient professions of humanity and since the advent of domestication, the livestock keepers have been involved with them to a certain extent on financial, social and emotional fronts and thus have been curious about certain key aspects of the livestock under their care. The curiosity can be defined with the ‘five W and one H’ of questions as What needs to be done (requirements)? When to do that (timing)? Where are they (location)? Why is there a need (rationale)? How will that meet my purpose (state)? The farming community has traditionally been using these attributes for making farm decisions by observing the animals constantly, or periodically at key occasions such as milking. Such monitoring, aided by the wisdom of experience of the generations of farmers, led to the identification of the key events or problems in the health and productivity of individual animals. However, such kind of monitoring requires a deeper engagement in livestock keeping than that is desirable in commercial farming and the decisions/ detections are severely limited by the capability of the observer.

Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) is a term that encompasses the deployment of sensors for the capture of key biological information, the use of algorithms for processing the biological information (data science), systems for making inferences and making decisions based on the processed data (artificial intelligence), interfaces that allow for making use of these data (reporting) and implements for automation (robotics). PLF is intended to optimize the process of animal production, health care and welfare by generating vast real time information to be used in various ways. There have been many systems being tried and found fit for practical applicability; whereas, few systems like geolocation and motion detection are extensively applied.

Dry matter intake (DMI) is crucial for animal performance, especially in cattle. It ensures that animals receive the necessary nutrients and energy for metabolic functions. Cattle have complex digestive systems with unique metabolic functions. Variations in feed intake are essential throughout the growth cycle to maintain a balance in response to metabolic and environmental challenges.
Limitations in feed intake can lead to nutrient deficiencies, impacting growth rates and overall profitability. Feed stress can also result in health issues and digestive disturbances.
Importance of Predicting Dry Matter Intake (DMI) in Cattle Using NRC Guidelines
Predicting Dry Matter Intake (DMI) in cattle is crucial for managing livestock health, productivity, and economic efficiency. The National Research Council (NRC) offers guidelines to estimate DMI, aiding producers in optimizing feeding strategies. Here’s why predicting DMI is essential:
1. Optimizing Nutrient Intake
• Meeting Nutritional Needs: Accurate DMI prediction ensures cattle receive sufficient energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals for maintenance, growth, lactation, or reproduction.
• Avoiding Deficiencies: Inadequate feed can result in poor health, reduced production, and reproductive issues.
• Preventing Overfeeding: Excessive intake can lead to health problems like acidosis, obesity, or metabolic disorders.
2. Improving Productivity

Accurate early diagnosis of pregnancy is essential for successful breeding programme.

Ability is required for successful practice.

Skill is to be developed to indicate the duration within weeks in early and months in late pregnancy.

The diagnosis of pregnancy (Cyesiognosis) was desired earlier by farmers for curiosity, but currently early pregnancy diagnosis is considered essential for economically viable and profitable dairy farming. Clinical methods are commonly used for pregnancy diagnosis in cattle with recto genital palpation and trans-rectal ultrasonography as the methods of choice for an accurate and early pregnancy diagnosis.

The procedure used in the preparation of samples depends on the purpose of analysis and the nature of the constituents that are to be determined.

a. Plant material (Herbage)

    1.    Separate the plant material by using sharp knife.
    2.    Remove the contaminations like soil or other material by gentle brushing. Never wash the plant material with water.
    3.    Mix corresponding plant parts from more than one plant to obtain representative sample of sufficient size for analysis.
    4.    Cut the sample immediately into small pieces and mix thoroughly. 
    5.    Weigh a portion of this sample for those analyses which are to be performed on green material. 
    6.    Dry the sample in a hot air oven at 100 ± 2ºC for storage.

When we are having two or more than two feed ingredients and by using them we have to prepare a mixture of desired nutrient composition then we will require to use Pearson’s square method. Use of pearson’s square is a simple procedure that allows us to mix two feed stuffs with different nutrients concentrations and come up with a mixture of the desired total concentration. For the pearson’s square to work, the desired diet’ nutrient concentration must be between the nutrient concentrations of the two feed stuffs. Suppose we have a protein source such as ground nut cake (GNC) with 40.9% crude protein (CP) and maize with 8.8% CP, and we need a mixture of the two that will have 18% CP. AS shown in the illustration, we compare the CP percentage of each feed on the left with the desired percentage in the middle of the square. The lesser value is subtracted from the greater value and the answer, in parts of a mixture rather then in percentage, is recorded diagonally, but read horizontally.

Introduction

For agricultural applications as well as for research work, often we need to prepare solutions of different agrochemicals of varying strength, as per the requirements. Agrochemicals are used to help crop plants grow, produce, and protect them from biotic/abiotic stresses. Many of the agrochemicals (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, molluscicides, nematicides, etc.) are used to protect the crop from insect pests and diseases. However, some of them (fertilizers and soil conditioners) are used to augment crop yield. While in the previous chapter (Chapter 8) we discussed about preparation of laboratory solutions, in this chapter we will briefly discuss about the preparation of different agrochemicals.

Agrochemical/agrichemical is a generalized term used for the chemicals applied in agriculture. In general, it also includes the feed-supplements used in f isheries and animal husbandry.

Agrochemicals

Fertilizers

Fertilizers are used to augment growth of crop plants and to mitigate nutrient deficiency in the soil. Fertilisers can be organic (containing natural substances, prepared through natural processes) and inorganic fertilisers (synthetic fertilizers, manufactured artificially using chemical processes using natural deposits, by chemical alterations).

Soil Conditioners

Soil conditioners include manure, livestock and leaf compost, peat that help making the soil in good condition. They are laid on the top soil and then mixed properly. They not only increase nutrient contents in the soil but also improve aeration and water holding capacity.

Techno economic feasibility of livestock enterprises under different conditions

The technical and economic feasibility part examines the possible technical and economic aspects of a proposed livestock project. In this chapter we would be studying techno economic feasibilities of various livestock based enterprise

1. Technical and Economic Feasibility of a Dairy unit

2. Technical and Economic Feasibility of a Goat Farm

3. Technical and Economic Feasibility of a Pig Farm

4. Technical and Economic Feasibility of a Feed unit

Introduction

Different types of culture media are used for culturing microbes and plant tissues. Preparing as well as sterilizing them properly following appropriate method with safety for the desired purpose are important parts of research work. In this chapter, we will discuss briefly about different types of media, their composition, preparation and sterilization in laboratory for microbial or plant tissue culture.

Culture Medium

Ingredients mixed to prepare solid, liquid or semi-solid substance to support the growth of microorganism or plant tissue in vitro (outside the body) is called culture medium. Frequently, it becomes important to grow microorganism or plant/animal tissue in vitro for any or all of the following purposes:

• To study characteristic features or properties of microorganisms.

• To identify the causal organism(s) of infection in a clinical sample, so that appropriate remedy can be determined.

• To culture/multiply microorganism or plant/animal tissues in vitro for research or commercial purposes.

• To prepare/produce biological molecules, vaccines, antigens, proteins, metabolites, etc. in vitro for research or industrial purposes.

Chemical changes occur during oven-drying because of the direct effect of high temperature, or of enzymic or bacterial changes during the early stages of drying, or of loss of volatile consitituents. Feeds containing molasses should be ground in a mortar.

Dried materials should be ground to pass 1 mm sieve. Samples expected to moisture during the treatments are usually predried. If wet samples are used directly in the assay, sufficient large quantity has to weighted out. In the first stage, roughages about 250-1000g are used, somewhat dependent upon homogeneity and moisture content of the wet material. These samples are weighted into trays and dried in draft oven at 60-70ºC. The dry samples are then again weighed, determined the moisture content. The trays are then left to equilibrate in air at room temperature for two days. before a second reweighing of the trays with samples. Then the sample is milled and filled into airtight containers and labelled as dry samples.

Fodders and grasses can be preserved either as hay (dried fodder) or as silage (wet fodder), depending on weather conditions and available resources. These are fed in some (high input) farms to bridge seasonal scarcity periods.
Hay making: * The crop is harvested for hay making at its pre – flowering stage, when its growth is levelling off and its feeding value is still high; * Hay is best made during the rain free days; * Crops with thick and juicy stems should be dried after chaffing and conditioning, which will speed up the drying process and slow down the loss of nutrients; * Hay should be raked only a few times during the drying process in order to avoid the shattering of leaves and bleaching of the hay; * Legumes should be raked in the morning hours to avoid leaf shattering; * After drying and curing, bailing and / or stacking should be
done as early as possible. Storage under a roof is preferred; * For hay bailing, maximum permissible water concentration is 15%. Storage of hay before sufficient drying may cause fire due to spontaneous combustion; * Storage of hay with higher moisture concentration may result in mould growth, making the hay unfit for feeding.
Silage making: * Crops and plant materials rich in soluble sugars, such as – maize, sorghum, oats, sugarcane tops, hybrid Napier grass and other grasses are highly suitable for ensiling; * The dry matter concentration of the forage at the time of ensiling should be around 15 – 30 %, but higher is possibe; * Chaffing of the material for ensiling increases its compactness, thus eliminates the air space to the maximum content; * Green to semi – green forage, which may use the O2 present for respiration, results in high quality silage; * The silo should be air tight after filling; * Fermentation starts withing hours after closing the silo, and accelerates over the next 2 to 3 days. It terminates after about 3 weeks. Organic acids, primarily – lactic acid and acetic acid, ethanol and gasses such as CO2, CH4, NO2, and NH3 are produced during the fermentation process; * Due to production of acid, the pH of the biomass is reduced to a level below 4, resulting in the termination of all biological activities, after which material remains conserved under aerobic conditions.

Introduction

The total Livestock population is 535.78 million in the country showing an increase of 4.6 % over Livestock census-2012. Total Bovine population (Cattle, Buffalo, Mithun and Yak) is 302.79 million in 2019 which shows an increase of above 1% over the previous census. The total number of cattle in the country in 2019 is 192.49 million showing an increase of 0.8% over the previous census. The female cattle (Cow population) is 145.12 million, increased by 18 % over the previous census (2012). The exotic/cross bred population in India is 50.42 million. Indigenous /non destript female population has increased by 10% in 2019 as compared to previous census. The population of the total exotic/ crossbred cattle has increased by 26.9% as compared to previous census. However, the pace of decline of indigenous/non-descript cattle population during 2012-2019 is much lesser than as compared to the 2007-12 which was about 9%. The buffalo in the country is 109.85 million showing an increase of 6.0% over the previous census. The sheep population in the country is 74.26 million in 2019, increased by 14.1% over the previous census. The goat population in the country in 2019 is 148.88 million showing an increase of 10.1 % over the previous census. The total pigs in the country is 9.06 million in the country census, decline by 12.03% over the previous census. The other livestock including Mithun, Yak, Horses, Ponies, Mule, Donkeys, Camel together contribute around 0.23% of the total livestock and their total count is 1.24 million.

India, the progenitor of the present day chicken, is a vast country having varying climatic zones such as the high altitude Himalayan regions, the Indo-Gangatic plains, the Deccan plateau in the south and hot and humid coastal areas. Although, no exact data is available, factual information suggest that poultry raising in this sub continent is as old as its civilization. Owing to the long widespread chicken raising in the vast territory of this country and manifold ecological niches at different places, many native breeds were evolved over the years some of the documented breeds and ecotypes are Aseel, Ankaleshwar, Busra, Brown Desi, Chittagong, Daothigir, Denki,  Ghagus,  Haringhatta black, Kadakanath,  Kalasthi, Kashamir faverolla,  Miri,  Naked neck, Frizzle, Punjab brown, Tellichery, Titri, Teni and Nicobari.

In natural farming systems, preserving and storing animal feed is a crucial part of feed management, especially where fodder availability changes with theseasons. These methods help farmers retain the nutritional value of feed, prevent spoilage, and ensure a steady supply throughout the year without using synthetic preservatives or commercial storage solutions. Given the seasonal nature of fodder production—particularly in rainfed and smallholder regions—it is essential to store surplus biomass from abundant months for use during leaner periods.
Natural preservation emphasizes traditional, low-cost, and eco-friendly techniques adapted to local climate and resources. These practices not only reduce wastage and nutrient loss but also help farmers remain less reliant on marketpurchased feed, supporting sustainable and resilient livestock feeding.

13.1. Introduction

Diseases of dairy cattle cause huge economic losses. The losses are associated with lower productive and reproductive performances as well as mortality of the valuable animals. The high producing animals are susceptible to various infectious and contagious diseases. The diseases may permanently affect the performance of the animal e.g., mastitis may permanently damage the quarter(s) of the udder. Thus the culling rate of the herd may increase which affects the profitability of the farm. The occurrence of diseases in cattle is preventable. So, steps are needed to prevent the occurrence of diseases as prevention is better than cure. A number of factors are associated with the occurrence of diseases in animals. Disease prevention and control involves measures designed to prevent or reduce as much as possible the incidence, prevalence and consequences of the disease. These measures can be applied to control the reservoir of infection, break route of transmission or reduce the numbers of susceptible. Various new and environment friendly methods have been developed by modification or refinement of the old methods of disease control and prevention.

Introductioin

Poultry diseases can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or a combination of these pathogens. Common poultry diseases include Newcastle disease, avian influenza, infectious bronchitis, infectious bursal disease, coccidiosis, and salmonellosis, among others (Grace et al., 2024). These diseases can affect various organs and systems in poultry, including the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and immune systems, leading to a wide range of clinical signs and symptoms (Dunislawska et al., 2024). Prevention and control of diseases in poultry is paramount for maintaining the health and welfare of poultry f locks and ensuring the sustainability of the poultry industry. Poultry diseases can have devastating effects on production, leading to decreased productivity, increased mortality rates, and significant economic losses. Therefore, implementing effective prevention and control measures is essential for poultry producers to mitigate the risks associated with diseases (George & George, 2023).

The purpose of PCA 1960 is to protect animals from being subjected to unnecessary pain or suffering. This at consists of 6 chapters covering 41 sections. This has been amended in 1982. The sections under each chapter have been concised for easy understanding. This provides only baseline information about the act.

Price determination under perfect competition - It can be called as a market structure characterized by a complete absence of competition or rivalry among the individual firms. The sellers and buyers cannot determine the price, only the Industry decides the price of the goods. It means the forces of supply and demand determine the price of the goods

Perfect competition is defined as a market situation where there are a large number of sellers of a homogeneous product. An individual firm supplies a very small portion of the total output and is not powerful enough to exert an influence on the market price. A single buyer, however large, is not in a position to influence the market price.

Demand under perfect competition

Demand refers to the quantity of a product that consumers are willing to purchase at a particular price, while other factors remain constant. A consumer demands more quantity at lower price and less quantity at higher price. Therefore, the demand varies at different prices. Market demand means the sum of the quantity demanded by individual buyers at different prices.

Animal nutrition involves providing balanced diets to farm animals to maintain their health, support growth, facilitate reproduction, and ensure high productivity. In the context of natural farming, this discipline emphasizes the useof local, naturally available feed resources, steering clear  of synthetic or commercial formulations. A sound understanding of basic nutrition and digestive physiology is crucial for creating sustainable and effective feeding strategies.
Farm animals need six fundamental nutrient groups: water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Each plays a vital role—whether in producing energy, repairing tissues, maintaining immunity, or supporting reproductive and lactation processes. Nutritional needs are influenced by species, age, physiological status (such as growth, pregnancy, or milk production), and the animal’s activity level.
Animals vary in digestive anatomy, which affects how they process feed. Ruminants—including cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats—have a four-part stomach (rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum) that enables them to digest fibrous plant matter efficiently through microbial fermentation. In the rumen, microbes break down cellulose and produce volatile fatty acids (VFAs), which serve as a primary energy source.
On the other hand, monogastric animals like pigs and poultry have a single-chambered stomach. They depend more heavily on readily digestible carbohydrates and proteins, making grains and high-protein plants ideal for their diets. Recognizing these physiological distinctions allows farmers to select feed resources appropriately—roughages and crop residues for ruminants, and concentrated energy and protein sources for monogastrics.
In natural farming systems, nutrition is supplied through a diverse mix of green fodder, leguminous leaves, tree foliage, crop by-products, and fermented inputs like Jeevamrit. These methods maintain animal health and productivity without resorting to synthetic additives, antibiotics, or hormones.