Semen Pak buffaloes for Punjab cows, buffaloes

Rauni (Patiala): Semen of Pakistan's renowned Nili Ravi breed of buffaloes and Sahiwal bulls will soon play an important role in the livestock improvement programme chalked out by the Punjab government. Semen straws of the two top cattle breeds of Pakistan will be imported for inter se breeding (mating of closely related breeds) with local varieties to improve the genetic potential of the animals.The Punjab government has already sought permission from the Centre for importing the semen from the neighbouring country.
Permission from the Union government is expected soon, said state animal husbandry department officials at an inauguration function of the Centre of Excellence on Cattle Development (CECD) at Rauni village near Patiala on Tuesday.
Officials said earlier the department had tried to improve the breed of milch cattle in Punjab by joining hands with the US and importing semen of Holstein Friesian bulls. "However, collaboration with Pakistan on this front is being done for the first time. The genetic potential of several desi varieties will be improved by this project," said Patiala animal husbandry department deputy director H M Walia.
According to him, improvement in the genetic potential of cattle will lead to increased milk production. "Nili Ravi buffaloes yield an average of 25 litres of milk per day while Sahiwal cows have an average daily yield of 15 litres. A large number of cows in Punjab produce only 5 to 8 litres per day," he said.
Punjab animal husbandry department director HS Sandha said milk yiled of Sahiwal breed is very good and its bulls endure tough ploughing. "To improve the elite quality of cows, CECD is also presenting in-house solutions. The department is buying 25,000 doses of sexed up semen of Holstein Friesian breed from the US to ensure that only female calves are born," he said.
Sandha said Amritsar and Ferozepur still have a few Nili Ravi buffaloes and Sahiwal cows, but Pakistani variety will help boost milk production.