AGB 211: Livestock and Poultry Breeding (2+1)

PRODUCTION OF CROSSBRED BULLS

• In India, for the supply of frozen semen, there are limited number of sperm stations for cattle and buffaloes. In the cattle sperm stations Jersey, Holstein Friesian and Jersey and Friesian crossbreds are maintained. The exotic bulls have to be reduced and 50% Jersey crossbred bulls have to be substantially increased to meet the growing demand. There is only limited scope for sourcing Jersey crossbred bulls of high genetic merit from organized farms due to the shortage of elite cows. The other practical approach is to generate crossbred bull calves from the field by contract mating of elite crossbred cows to proven half bred Jersey bulls.
• Crossbred bulls meant for natural service can be obtained by selecting bull calves born to crossbred cows yielding more than 2500 kg, preferably in the first lactation. Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) can be taken up in respect of elite cows identified in the course of milk recording. This will facilitate production of superior bulls for AI in addition to faster multiplication of elite cows. For implementing all these programs, milk and performance recording are essential.