Dairy Cattle Improvement Project (TCP/NEP/3105D): Preliminary

Results, Lesson Learnt and Problems Encountered

BS Shrestha, DMU

SP Neopane, NPC

NP Shrestha, NC

Presentation- outline

Background DCIP – Introduction and Current Status Some Preliminary Results Lesson Learnt Problems Encountered Way forward

Background

•7 Million cattle population•7 Native breeds

•one extinct•few endangered

•More than 70% HH involvement

Background…Cattle Improvement initiatives

Potential of indigenous cattle (lactation)-poor-other function important (draft, manure, religious)

Breed replacement, cross breeding, or upgrading – the option of choice for improvement

Introduction of some European cattle breed in Rana regimes – 150 yrs ago

Importation of Red Sindhi, Sahiwal, Jersey, HF, Brown Swiss Importation of frozen semen and AI AI with warm semen Frozen semen production and utilization in country

10%

90%

Crossbred/upgraded Local

Proportion of indigenous and improved cattle

Despite of all•No sustainable dairy animal genetic improvement program in the country•Non existence of PPRS and unknown bull (merit) used for semen collection &NS

DCIP- Introduction

Joint Project of NARC and DLS supported by FAO Implemented Since July 2008 with the main objective of

sustainable genetic improvement of dairy cattle in the country through:

– Initiation of PPRS and Identification of potential bull mothers and production of bulls for AI and NS

– Capacity enhancement of trainers/extension workers through training on Feeding and management

– Supporting herd book establishment for Jersey and HF– Identifying suitable breed/s for different eco-zones and mgmt

system – Developing strategies that will help private sector to undertake

PPRS for sustainability and AI privatization

DCIP- Implementation

Steering committee chaired by DG, DLS Project management committee (NPC, NPCC, NC) ICBG- Technical support for database management and

analysis ICFM-Technical Support for capacity enhancement of trainers

in feeding and management NC- Project Implementation Support and coordination with

FAOR/Nepal Programme Officer, FAOR- project facilitation NLBC- semen and LN handling and distribution DMU- data management, analysis and information flow District supervisor and Technicians Recorders and farmers Overall coordination and technical support- LTO

Major Activities/ Accomplishment

Inception Workshop, July 2008

TOT and Initiation of PPRS

PPRS……

Recorders’ and Technicians’ Training

Database management system development

Training on Animal Breeding and Genetics and PPRS data analysis

Milk Sample Analysis Facility Establishment

TOT on Dairy Cattle Feeding and Management

Farmers’ Training and Meet AI of PPRS herd cows with imported semen Preliminary data analysis Initiation of planned mating of selected

potential bull mothers with proven sire semen

Procurement of Necessary Materials

Frozen semen 5000+5000 doses from New Zealand (HF and Jersey)

Lacto scans Computers and printer LN Container, referees Tags and tagging machine Weighing machine and tapes Milk sampler, preservatives, sampling bottle

Current Status of DCIP

District Coverage under DCIP

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

807 808 809 810 811 812 901 902 903 904 905 906 907 908 909

YYMM

No

oh

Her

ds

Cum. Herd

Expansion of PPRS- herd coverage

604

4

106

1 1

56

2

87

59

6

43

57

127

42

17

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Chi

twan

Dol

akha

Gor

kha

Ilam

Jhap

aKa

ski

Kath

man

duLa

litpu

rM

oran

gN

awal

para

siR

upan

dehi

Suns

ari

Tana

hun

No of herds

District-wise herds under PPRS

604

671

47117 129

7

593634

192

508460

917

253167

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000C

hitw

anD

olak

haG

orkh

a

Ilam

Jhap

aK

aski

Kat

hman

duLa

litpu

rM

oran

gN

awal

para

siR

upan

dehi

Sun

sari

Tan

ahun

Base Animals

Base Animals

Base Animals under PPRS

4600+

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

807 808 809 810 811 812 901 902 903 904 905 906 907 908 909

YYMM

No

of

Mil

k r

ec

ord

s

Milk Records

Expansion of PPRS- No of Milking Animals

2000+

Some Preliminary Results and Implications

Results….

Average herd size : 8 (2-117) Average milking animals/ herd : 4-5 (1-74)

Production performance

Daily milk production (N1800)

Mean Yield- 9.07±3.97 l

Milk fat content

Milk Fat content ( %)

Mean- 4.43±1.47

Milk Protein content

Milk protein content (%)

Mean - 3.3±0.49

Conductivity

Conductivity

Mean- 6.6±0.85

Results of calculation of part lactation

Milk Yield Fat% Protein% Solid kg

100 days (n=377)

1164.8± 4 21.9

4.13±0.81 3.36±0.47 87.15± 32.31

180 days (n=242)

1925.1± 692.5

4.31±0.74 3.36±0.19 147.13± 52.62

300 days (n=79)

2793.1± 1048.4

4.48±0.77 3.37±0.18 215.76± 74.33

Breeding value estimation

Fixed factors considered Herd Age as regressor variable Breed* Year of calving* Season of calving* Parity* Feeding and management ??

Estimated Breeding Values (100 days V solids) 100 Day Part LactationParameter n Milk Yield Fat % Protein % Conductivity Valuable SolidsMean 377 1164.78 4.13 3.36 6.50 87.15St. Deviation 421.89 0.81 0.23 0.47 32.31

1 03659 353007019 2009-02-14 1805.55 4.05 3.35 133.61 49 01 01 1 14.3Timilsina Livestock Farm

2 03897 350701024 2008-12-10 2012.40 4.28 3.74 161.39 26 01 01 1 12.7 Purna Bhusal

3 03751 353007019 2008-11-29 1534.35 4.62 3.64 126.74 32 01 01 1 12.6 Timilsina Livestock Farm

4 03577 351406031 2009-03-13 1328.05 5.26 3.57 117.27 38 01 01 1 9.4 Bhim Prasad Poudel

5 03554 351406028 2009-01-29 1182.40 6.08 3.77 116.47 37 01 01 1 9.1 Bhoj Raj Tiwari

6 03663 353007019 2009-02-16 1442.65 4.03 3.44 107.77 61 01 01 1 6.3 Timilsina Livestok Farm

7 03576 351406031 2008-12-25 1412.85 4.02 3.43 105.26 36 01 01 1 5.8 Bhim Prasad Poudel

8 03597 351406033 2009-04-15 1373.60 4.30 3.38 105.49 39 01 01 1 5.8 Tanka Nath Timilsina

9 03786 351406002 2008-12-09 1310.25 5.55 3.62 120.15 59 01 01 1 4.5 Chuda Mani Pokharel

District: Chitwan ID ID_Herd Date-calv Milk Fat% Prot% vSolid age sireBr damBr ID_Br EBV Farmers’ Name

New born calves under PPRS

Lesson Learnt

All stakeholders convinced on importance of DCIP Should have been initiated long back- However, late better than never Sustainability- Government support- Programme built on in NARC and

DLS from current FY Commitment from stakeholders essential – for long term breeding

project Inadequate project duration for this kind of work Sincerity of recorders and farmers cooperation - essential Strong and functional linkage between Research and Extension for

achieving DCIP goal- an absolute necessity Exist potential within the country for improvement Immediate benefit for farmers- vaccination, drenching for their support

?? Genetic improvement- track opened- gravelling, black topping

essential- ensure for not washing away in monsoon- some sort of support necessary

Problem Encountered

At Farmers’ level Animal exit from herd and frequent movement Why s/he and why not me (herd size) Fate of male calvesRelated to Recordings and Recorders Small and scattered herd size Production situation – early morning milking Remuneration against hardship Recorder leaving jobRelated to Data management Timely flow of records (both way) Incomplete format from recorders Mismatching herds and animal identifications Date conversion inconvenience

Problem…..

Lab and semen handling Some unbelievable analysis report Lacto scan maintenance (instances- breakdown of machine) Off time work for semen handler at district (with no remuneration) Inadequate facility to handle semen properly (12 sire lines)AI Technician Level Conflict of interest among technicians Reading bull identification number in straw Unforeseen Frequent strike and road blockade FMD outbreaks- Farmers’ superstition Unlucky incidence– more male calves born from DCIP- faith of farmers

toward DCIP

Some adjustment suggested

Initial feedback to the farmers’ from Lab via recorders (particularly for conductivity) to enable farmers to take immediate correction measures as the current flow of information is lengthy (farmers- district lab- DMU- district-farmer)

Decentralization of data recording Cooperatives involvement in PPRS

The way forward

Data quality improvement Breed establishment and Genetic Improvement

– Holstein Derivatives-Nepalese Holstein– Jersey Derivatives-Nepalese Jersey

Saving potential male calves- Evaluation of future bulls (growth, conformity,

reproductive disease free status, chromosomal aberration)

Extensive AI in non descript breed External support