The Kerala Livestock Development Board (KLDB) is gearing up to establish a network of satellite units around the hi-tech dairy farm at Kulathupuzha in Kollam district, under plans to augment milk production and produce better stock through scientific breeding techniques.
As many as 200 dairy farmers in the Kulathupuzha panchayat have been identified as beneficiaries of the satellite farm project. They will be provided with one cow each and high energy cattle feed at subsidised rate.
A training programme on clean milk production and scientific feeding and breeding management is being organised for the farmers. The satellite farms will be equipped with a monitoring system for the cows. The production, health and reproductive parameters of the animals will be entered in a database.
The KLDB is preparing to roll out a new software incorporating SMS alerts for the farmers to pass on information about milk yield and other parameters.
Progeny testing
One of the major components of the project is a progeny testing programme for stock improvement, at the farm and field levels. “Data accuracy is crucial for breeding better cows and bulls. The data generated by the automatic milk recording system at the mother farm will be compared with the information passed on by the satellite farms,” says Ani S. Das, Managing Director, KLDB. “The genes responsible for milk production are characterised by low transmittance. That is why progeny testing assumes importance.”
While the nucleus herd at the mother farm will have a mix of imported and crossbred cows, the satellite units are to be supplied with crossbred animals for better adaptability. Calves produced through embryo transfer from the genetically superior cows at the mother unit will be reared under controlled conditions.
The progeny are then assessed for traits like milk production, calving ease, mastitis resistance, foot and leg strength, and reproductive performance. The best sets will be used as parents of the next generation. “The idea is to develop a tamper-proof selection system for bulls, using multiple characters in tune with international standards. This will ensure better milk production over generations, benefiting dairy farmers across the State,” Mr. Das explains.
While the female calves produced in the farm will be distributed to the dairy farmers, the males will be used for production of high value frozen semen.
Technology support
Commissioned last year, the Kulathupuzha hi-tech dairy farm is the first of three such facilities being set up in Kerala under the KLDB. The other two farms are slated to come up at Mattupetty and Kolahalamedu in Idukki.
The farm is equipped with the latest technologies in feeding, milking, shed management, and data recording. It sports state-of-the-art facilities like automatic milking parlour, programmable feeders, computerised milk recording and automatic scrapers, and water jets. The cows are fitted with transponders carrying information on pedigree, milk yield and feeding pattern.
The farm is the first of 12 open nuclear breeding stations recommended by the Planning Commission to select the best bulls for the dairy sector in the country.
The KLDB has initiated steps to establish a consultancy and farm aid unit at the mother farm to provide technical and veterinary support for the satellite dairy units.
The hi-tech farm, once fully functional, is expected to produce 3,000 kg of milk, with the satellite units contributing a matching amount.
Mr. Das said the milk produced at the farms would be marketed as a fresh farm product at a premium price. “Over time, the satellite units, are expected to evolve into self-sustaining townships, a model that can be replicated in other districts.”
The board is working on a proposal to set up facilities for packaging of milk and cold chain management. Milk sale outlets are to be opened at Kulathupuzha and Thiruvananthapuram.
