In a move to improve the conditions of the farming community and boost the dairy sector, the animal husbandry department in Medak district has conducted a record number of 1,64,377 artificial insemination against a target of 1,44,000 cattle during last year.
Out of these one lakh artificial inseminations were performed for buffalos followed by 30,000 for Jersey, 10,000 each Holstein Friesian (HF), Deoni and Ongole cattle through the 236 veterinary clinics spread across the district. Depending on resource availability and traditional practices, the farmers are opting for different varieties of cattle insemination. For instance, the lambada people residing at areas like Narayanakhed, Kulcharam, Kangti, Kalher, Shankarampet and Nyalaka would opt for Ongole cattle as they feel that having these animals as a social status. They prefer to have herds of animals and some families will have about 20 to 30 animals. Farmers at Zaheerabad area will go for Deoni cattle which they feel as local and perfectly suitable for weather conditions. However, farmers with good resources like water, fodder and having large chunk of land are opting for Jersey and HF as rearing these cattle needs some extra precautions and needs more fodder and water supply. Farmers from Gajwel, Siddipet and surrounding areas prefer these animals.
“These animals yield between 3,000 to Rs. 3,500 litres of milk for each lactation. That will considerably improve the financial condition of farmers as an additional income source,” Dr. Laxma Reddy, Joint Director, Animal Husbandry, told The Hindu.
The result of artificial insemination was very impressive as well. Calf birth rate was put at 45 per cent with 51,204 calves being born out of the artificial insemination.
