Field progeny testing programme of crossbred cattle a boon for genetic improvement of cattle under rural conditions

Abstract

Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut is co-ordinating a field progeny testing programme since 1992 incorporating farmers’ herds in association with Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Mannuthy, (Kerala), Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana (Punjab), BAIF Development Research Foundation, Uruli- Kanchan, Pune, (Maharashtra) and G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. Field progeny testing programme at Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University , Mannuthy is running through seven field units and six artificial insemination centers along with three livestock farms of the university. Since crossbreeding is the accepted breeding policy of cattle in Kerala since 1950s, the programme primarily aims to select superior male germplasm for propagation and genetic improvement of crossbred cattle in Kerala. The project also helps in genetic improvement of non-descript cattle by introducing genes of Frieswal (Holstein Friesian × Sahiwal) for higher milk production. Ab account of the implementation of the field progeny testing programme and its outcome under the rural conditions of Kerala is discussed here.