Animal Breeding Department

Animal Breeding Department of Dudhsagar Dairy entrusted to look after Animal Breeding activity with aim of increasing milk productivity of dairy animals in Mehsana Milkshed area.

Milk production potential of animals inherited from parents as their genetic makeup (DNA). In the process of inheritance DAM and SIRE both plays equal role to decide genetic makeup of offspring. Dairy Animal Breeding is a science to ensure progressive improvement in genetic makeup generation after generation for desirable trait like milk yield, fat yield, Protein yield etc.

Mehsana Buffalo Progeny Testing Project

Mehsana buffalo, Kankrej & Crossbred cattle are important breeds of dairy animals in the Mehsana Milkshed area. Dudhsagar Dairy Mehsana recognizes importance of breeding since beginning and in 1979 established its own Semen station for extensive use of elite Bulls both for Cattle & Buffalo through Artificial Insemination. Dudhsagar dairy was first Cooperative in nation to implement systematic Field Progeny Testing Program for improvement of Mehsana Buffalo since 1985 under technical guidance of National Dairy Development Board, Anand. Extensive use of semen from High Genetic Merit Bull produced by nominated matting using semen of proven Mehsana Buffalo bulls along with improved management practices resulted in positive change in economic characters of Mehsana buffalo as under

Sr. No	Criteria	1985 Status	2020-21 Status
1	Average First Lactation Milk Yield (FLMY 305 Day) (Kg)	1500	1925
2	Average Age at First Calving (Months)	56.2	45.7
3	Average Calving Interval (Months)	19.2	16

Till Mar 2023, total of 346 Mehsana Buffalo bulls in 26 successive batches have been put under testing. Since inception, 109177 Mehsana buffaloes have been identified and covered under the program. A total of 517603 Artificial Inseminations were performed and 49022 PT daughters born in the project area. Sires are evaluated on the basis of 305 days first lactation milk yield of daughters. After evaluation, the semen of top ranked bulls is used for nominated mating program to produce next generation bulls.
Presently our Mehsana Buffalo PT Project runs in 80 villages of Mehsana Milkshed area and is funded under Rastriya Gokul Mission, Government of India. Since 2012 Central Monitoring Unit (CMU) constituted by Government of India evaluates the project annually as per guideline of Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, GOI.

Artificial Insemination (AI)

The semen produced in the “A” grade semen station located at Pashu Samvardhan Kendra, Jagudan is utilized by the AI technicians located at various village dairy cooperative societies across our milkshed area.

Artificial Insemination (AI) Network and AI work

Particulars	2000-01	2010-11	2017-18	2018-19	2019-20	2020-21	2021-22	2022-23
AI Centers	384	646	786	787	792	777	792	799
Nos. of AI	342976	894439	974023	1022073	971873	886422	986251	842973

Demography of AI Centers

District	Taluka	Total AIC
Gandhinagar	Kalol	37
	Mansa	75
Mahesana	Becharaji	9
	Jotana	9
	Kadi	36
	Kheralu	81
	Mahesana	43
	Satlasana	78
	Unjha	19
	Vadnagar	47
	Vijapur	75
	Visnagar	56
Patan	Chanasma	21
	Harij	19
	Patan	27
	Sami	17
	Sarasvati	73
	Shankheshwar	5
	Siddhapur	42
Milkshed	Grand Total	769

Nominated Matting

• Buffalo:
  We produce High Genetic Merit Mehsana buffalo bulls through nominated matting of elite female buffaloes (dams) under milk recording in the PT Project with semen of top proven Mehsana Buffalo sire.

• Crossbred:
  We produced High Genetic Merit (HGM) F1 generation (HF x Kankrej) CBHF bulls through nominated matting of elite Kankrej (dams) cows in milkshed area with semen of proven HF sire (imported). Elite CB Cows also used for nominated matting to produce HGM CBHF Bulls.

• 1st April 2023 onward we are using Genomic Breeding Value provided by N.D.D.B, Anand to procure any HGM Bull Calves from field.

Genomics Selection Program

• Buffalo & CB Cows:We are participating in Multi agency Mehsana Buffalo Genomics Project of 5 years. We undertaking performance recording of Mehsana Buffalos like Milk quantity, Milk component, Buffalo typing, Reproductive indices etc.

OPU-IVF & Embryo Transfer

We are participating to implement Accelerated Breed Improvement Program (ABIP) Under Rastriya Gokul Mission (RGM), GOI. In the ABIP program farmers animals are make pregnant using Embryo-Transfer Technology to produced high Yielding Animals. GOI is giving subsidy of Rs 5000/- for every pregnancy, Beneficiary had to pay only Rs 5000/- per pregnancy, Rest of all expenses born by Dudhsagar Dairy, Mehsana and GCMMF, Anand.

 

Pure Breeding Program

 

Pure Breeding is required to exploit the genetic potential of the animal for milk production by increasing exotic blood level into our existing cross bred cattle. 100 % pure HF semen doses are being used for this purpose.

Several superior females from our existing herd are identified for conducting this programme. Superior females can be identified as per following parameters:

• Kankrej Cow : Peak milk yield – more than 10 litre per day
• HF / CB Cow : Peak milk yield – more than 18 litre per day
• Gir Cow : Peak milk yield – more than 12 litre per day

After Receiving imported 100% pure HF semen doses distribution and Uses as following method

• Imported 100% pure HF semen doses must be used in cross breed cow registered as superior animal in pure breeding programme.
• Imported 100% pure HF semen doses should be used in animals which are in First / Second lactation.
• Milk production of the animal should be more than average 15 -16 liters per day in the first lactation.
• Imported 100% pure HF semen doses must not be used in pure breed of animals.
• Animal should be healthy.
• Animal should be vaccinated regularly.
• Animal should be free from Reproductive Disorders.
• Animal has not suffered from diseases like Dystocia, Prolapse, and Retention of Placenta etc. at the time of calving.

 

Status Of 100% Imported HF Semen Dose
No. of Doses Distributed to VDCS	No. of doses utilized	No. of Animals Inseminated	PD Positive	No. of calving			No. of Abortion/Death/Sold	No. of Male Calf procured Semen Station
				Male	Female	Total
6222(362)	6222	3231	1509	677	971	1348	49	4
Status Of Female Sex Semen Dose
No. of Doses Distributed to VDCS	No. of doses utilized	No. of Animals Inseminated	PD Positive	No. of calving			No. of Abortion/Death/Sold
				Male (If found)	Female	Total
2033(248)	1224	908	316	45	217	262	11