Veterinary university’s livestock research centre in Bidar gets national award

‘It reinforces the centre’s commitment to advancing livestock research and innovation and showcasing the potential to significantly enhance the quality of livestock numbers’

Livestock Research and Information Centre, a constituent research and extension unit of Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU), Bidar, has received the National Breed Conservation Award 2024.

At an event organised at the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana, an institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, Director of Research at KVAFSU B.V. Shivaprakash and Associate Professor and Head of Livestock Research and Information Centre for Deoni breed in Bidar Prakash Kumar Rathod received the award on National Farmers Day on Monday.

Congratulating all the teaching and non-teaching staff of the centre for the remarkable achievement, KVAFSU Vice-Chancellor K.C. Veeranna said that the success and recognition highlighted the dedication, expertise and pioneering spirit of the team.

It has reinforced the commitment of the centre to advancing livestock research and innovation and showcasing the potential to significantly enhance the quality of livestock numbers, he added.

“The Livestock Research and Information Centre that I am heading in Bidar is dedicated to the conservation and development of Deoni breed cattle. It is a constituent research and extension unit of Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar. It was established in 1970 over an area of 57 acres,” he said.

“Deoni, a popular dual-purpose breed of cattle, has a history of over 300 years and is known for drought capacity, heat tolerance, disease resistance and adaptability to harsh climatic conditions. Deoni bullocks are good for heavy work and are particularly suitable for semi-intensive cultivation,” Mr. Rathod told The Hindu on Wednesday.

Mr. Rathod noted that the centre has well-established housing facilities, including conventional housing and a loose housing system, for Deoni cattle, which is part of modern scientific livestock practices.

“The centre has about 30 acres of green fodder cultivation area, including eight acres of grassland with different grazing fodder crops like Rhodes, paragrass and guinea grass. The research centre has a well-established fodder museum which consists of 35 varieties of fodder for the benefit of the farming community,” he said.

According to Mr. Rathod’s information, bull calves with high genetic merit are transferred to different government semen production stations in Karnataka and Maharashtra.

“About 2.80 lakh frozen semen doses have been produced from these bulls at different semen stations. For the last 10 years, over 300 animals have been auctioned for the benefit of the farming community. However, the parental stock is regularly replaced by purchasing elite animals from farmers or different institutions through an expert animal purchase committee,” he said.

Published - December 25, 2024 07:47 pm IST