TRIPLE CROSS BRED: The new breed has been developed by crossing Holstein Friesian, Jersey and Gir breeds. — Photo: R&DPC.

THE RESEARCH cum Development Project on Cattle (R&DPC), Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri district, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra has developed a triple crossbred cow breed named Phule Triveni.

The new breed has been developed by crossing Holstein Friesian (50 per cent), Jersey (25 per cent) and Gir (25 per cent) breeds, according to Prof. A.H. Ulemale, assistant professor of Research cum Development Project on Cattle.

Studies on the milk yield of Phule Triveni animals supplied to several farmers and the progeny generated out of artificial insemination were studied for nearly seven years, according to him.

More milk yield

The studies revealed that the breed produces 19-34 per cent more milk that other desi breeds under farm conditions.

It is resistant to major diseases such as foot and mouth disease, which affects several other breeds of cattle.

The animals are 140-145 cm tall and may weigh 300-400 kg. The average life span is about 18 years. Cows yield about 10-12 litres of milk per day, said Prof. Ulemale. The milk has a fat content of 4.2-5.2 per cent.

"The animals are in milking stage for 10-12 months and are quite robust and strong," he said.

"They are naturally disease resistant and better adapted to drought conditions than other `desi' breeds".

Giving details on the feeding requirement of the animal, Prof Ulemale said, the animals may be fed on green and dry fodder.

Reproduction rate

They have been found to have a good reproduction rate and come to heat from the third year.

"Cows have to be inseminated between 12 and 18 hours after the onset of the oestrus. They may be serviced by bulls or through artificial insemination.

"In the absence of bull, artificial insemination may be done twice at an interval of 8-10 hours after the onset of oestrus to improve conception rate," Prof. Ulemale said.

Gestation period

The gestation period lasts for about 270 days. Cows during gestation and after delivery may be fed with a special concentrate mixture.

The mixture comprises 50 parts of wheat or maize or broken rice, 25 parts of groundnut cake, 23 parts of wheat bran or rice bran, 1 part of mineral mixture, and 3-4 kg of mineral salts every day.

In addition to the concentrate mixture, the animals have to be fed with 20-25 kg of green fodder and 7-8 kg of dry fodder every day, according to Prof. Ulemale.

Females give birth to a single calf. Newborn calves become active immediately after birth and are sturdy and resistant to respiratory infections.

"A frozen semen laboratory has also been set up to provide frozen semen of Phule Triveni bulls to farmers in the districts", he explained.

The university has got a limited stock of the cow breed for sale. "Pregnant cows (due for calving) are priced at about Rs. 14-16,000. Animals after one lactation are priced at Rs.18,000," said Prof. Ulemale.

Readers may contact the Department of Animal and Dairy Science, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Ahmednagar: 413 722, Maharashtra, Phone: 02426 243361,email: ahulemale@yahoo.co.in

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