Thumbnail Image

Theses

Browse

2014 - 20162
Reset filters
Subject: Livestock Production and Management × End date: 2017 × Start date: 2013 × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF PIGS IN RESPONSE TO SEASONAL STRESS UNDER VARYING DIETARY ENERGY LEVELS
    (Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2016-07) PATHAK, PRASANTA KUMAR; Roychoudhury, R.
    Eighteen weaned piglets (at 56 days) from each of the two different genetic groups viz. Hampshire and Hampshire x Local irrespective of sex were selected and randomly divided into three dietary groups viz. Gr.I, Gr.II and Gr.III consisting of 6 animals of almost similar body weight in each experimental group for winter months in 1st phase and summer months in 2nd phase to find out the status of important season related thermal stress biomarkers as well as most suitable germplasm in terms of growth performance under the agro-climatic condition of Assam. The experiment was also aimed to study the role of different level of energy ration in the growth performance of pigs in different seasons. A total of 3 rations were prepared for grower and finisher stage as per the NRC feeding standard for pig (NRC, 1998). The ration having 110, 100 and 90 per cent energy of NRC (1998) designated as high energy (HE), medium energy (ME) and low energy (LE), respectively. The ME, LE and HE treatment were represented three dietary groups of pigs i.e. Gr.I, Gr.II and Gr.III, respectively for both winter and summer. The Gr.I (ME) was considered as control group for both winter and summer season. Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) was calculated out from the data of ambient temperature and relative humidity (RH). The physiological parameters such as respiration rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) were recorded following conventional methods in two phases in a month i.e., consecutively for three days in a week in each animal and twice daily at 8:30 A.M. and 5:30 P.M. for a period of 12 months. About 5 ml of blood was collected from each experimental animal aseptically at 15 days interval for the whole experimental period. The level of thermal stress related blood hormones such as triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and cortisol were estimated by Radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique. The animals were weighed in the morning before feeding and watering at fortnightly intervals. The linear body measurements of the animals were recorded at monthly intervals. The feed intake, feed conversion efficiency and economics of feeding were also recorded. The ambient temperature was significantly (P<0.01) higher in the evening (23.60-29.51 0C) than in the morning (20.02-28.03 0C). The present experiment indicated that average ambient temperature during summer months (27.33-29.51 0C) were above the comfort zone for pigs (22 0C). The significantly (P<0.01) higher RH (%) was recorded in outdoor environment (87.26-91.10%) and in the morning time (86.60-91.10%). The THI during the study period was found to be indicative of thermal stress to the experimental animals during summer (79.55 – 82.56) as compared to the winter seasons. Physiological parameters viz., RR and RT were significantly (P<0.01) higher in summer season (43.75-72.12 breaths/min. and 102.29-103.23 0F/min.) than the winter season and non-significantly higher values were recorded in Hampshire as compared to Hampshire x Local during summer season. It was also found that the significantly (P<0.01) lower RR as well as RT was recorded in the pigs fed with high energy (HE) ration during summer season. Serum T3 and T4 concentrations were significantly (P<0.01) lower during summer as compared to winter in both Hampshire and Hampshire x Local pigs, while both the genetic groups showed significantly (P<0.01) higher concentration of serum cortisol during summer season. It was also observed that thyroid hormone and cortisol concentrations were maintained in groups of pig fed HE diet during summer. The average body weight was significantly (P<0.01) higher in winter and Hampshire pigs attained higher body wt. but observed that Hampshire pigs shed more body wt. in summer as compared to crossbred. It was also recorded that energy level of diet had significant (P<0.01) influence on the body weight gain and minimizes the production losses in terms of body wt. gain during summer. The coefficient of correlation of linear body measurements with the body weight of experimental pigs was found to be positively correlated and found that linear body measurements were in progressively increasing trend along with increase in body weight. The study also revealed higher FCE during winter season and Hampshire x Local pigs had higher FCE. The lower feed intake and higher FCE was recorded in HE incorporated group. The present study revealed that the cost of concentrate feed decreased along with reduction in the energy level of the diet. The cost of feeding per kg body weight gain was higher in summer than winter season and lower cost of feeding per kg gain was recorded in HE incorporated group. On the basis of this finding it can be concluded that winter is the best time for raising growing-finishing pigs. During summer most of the time the state remains under tropical high heat and humid dominance which may drastically affect the production and eventually economy of pig farming. From the present observation, it is suggested that Hampshire x local pigs may rear economically in the agro-climatic condition of Assam and increasing the energy density of diet can also help to minimize the effects of thermal stress during summer.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    DAIRY CATTLE MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING OF MILK IN LOWER BRAHMAPUTRA VALLEY ZONE OF ASSAM
    (Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2014-01) DAS, MUKUT; Mili, D. C.
    An investigation was undertaken to study the dairy cattle management and marketing of milk in rural areas of Kamrup, Barpeta, Goalpara and Nalbari district under lower Brahmaputra valley zone of Assam from April, 2012 to March, 2013. Two hundred dairy farmers having at least two milch cows were selected randomly for collection of data. A structured, reliable and valid interview schedule was prepared, pre-tested and was employed for data collection. All the obtained data were tabulated and put to standard statistical test to facilitate proper interpretation and to arrive at some conclusions as per the pre-formulated objectives of the study. The study revealed that the overall average age at first calving, lactation yield, lactation length, intercalving period, dry period and service period in crossbred cattle were found to be 31.03 ± 0.09 months, 1441.18 ± 26.53 litres, 292.32 ± 0.72 days, 385.64 ± 0.85 days, 93.32 ± 0.99 days and 111.95 ± 0.85 days respectively in crossbred cattle irrespective of locations, while the corresponding values for indigenous cattle were recorded as 42.34 ± 0.10 months, 280.75 ± 7.45 litres, 238.60 ± 1.83 days, 538.42 ±1.69 days, 299.86 ± 2.03 days, 258.57 ± 1.71days respectively. All the economic traits were found to be significantly influenced by the genetic group and the location except for the lactation yield within the location in indigenous cattle. In regards to the housing of cattle in the study areas, the dairy farmers used 56.84 and 43.16 per cent thatch and corrugated iron sheet roof respectively in crossbred cattle. However, majority of the dairy farmers (81.48%) and only 18.52 per cent used corrugated iron sheet as roof material for housing of the indigenous cattle. Most of the dairy farmers (47.95%) had cattle shed with half wall, 23.97 per cent with full wall and 28.08 per cent without wall in respect of crossbred cattle. The corresponding data in respect of indigenous cattle were 25.93, 62.96 and 11.11 per cent respectively in the study areas. Further, 32.19 per cent of dairy farmers housed cattle in earthen floor and 67.81 per cent used concrete floor in housing of crossbred cattle; however, 90.74 and 9.16 per cent respectively in case of indigenous cattle. Another important finding of the investigation was that 65.75 per cent of dairy farmers had shed with drainage and 34.25 per cent without drainage in the study areas. However, for dairy farmers rearing indigenous cattle only 11.11 per cent had cattle shed with drainage and 88.89 per cent without drainage in the study areas. The majority (58.22%) of the dairy farmers practiced stall feeding of their cattle and 41.78 per cent practiced grazing in case of crossbred cattle. However for indigenous cattle, only 7.41 per cent of the dairy farmers practiced stall feeding and 92.59 per cent practiced grazing in the study areas. It was found that 94.52 per cent of the dairy farmers fed their animals with naturally grown green fodder and only 5.48 per cent fed their animals with own cultivated green fodder in case of crossbred cattle. In respect of indigenous cattle, 96.30 per cent of the dairy farmers fed their animals with naturally grown green fodder and only 3.70 per cent fed their animals with their own cultivated green fodder in the study areas. In the study areas, the main source of dry fodder was paddy straw (Oryza sativa L.) and fed to the animals @ 2-5 kg per milch animal per day. Concentrate ration was provided @ 3-7 kg per day per crossbred cattle; while for indigenous cattle, 62.96 per cent of dairy farmers offered only rice polish @ 1-3 kg per day per animal and 37.04 per cent of dairy farmers provided no concentrate ration. The overall average total fixed capital per milch animal in crossbred cattle was estimated to be Rs.38,120.13 irrespective of location. In respect of indigenous cattle, the corresponding overall average total fixed capital per milch animal was Rs.10,102.81. The overall average total fixed cost (FC) per milch animal per annum was worked out to be Rs.5,901.72 in crossbred cattle and Rs.1,673.76 in indigenous cattle irrespective of location. The overall average total variable cost per milch animal per annum was estimated to be Rs.41,391.17 in crossbred and Rs.8,367.72 in indigenous cattle; while the overall average total cost per milch animal per annum was Rs.47,292.63 in crossbred and Rs.10,041.47 in indigenous cattle irrespective of their rearing locations. The overall average total return per milch animal per annum was estimated to be Rs.54,295.51 in crossbred and Rs.11,101.02 in indigenous cattle; while the overall average net return per milch animal per annum were Rs.7,002.88 in crossbred and Rs.1,059.55 in indigenous cattle irrespective of study locations. The overall average cost of milk production per litre without considering the study locations was worked out to be Rs.30.31 in crossbred and Rs.31.88 in indigenous cattle. The overall average return over feed cost (ROFC) irrespective of study locations were Rs.18,955.68 and Rs.6,270.80 with the overall average feed cost efficiency of 53.67 and 129.82 per cent in crossbred and indigenous cattle respectively. The overall average return over variable cost (ROVC) irrespective of study locations were Rs.12,880.68 in crossbred and Rs.2,733.33 in indigenous cows; while the fixed cost and variable cost ratio were 1:7.01 in crossbred and 1:4.99 in indigenous cows. The overall average break-even output of milk production irrespective of study locations were 929.36 litres in crossbred and 286.11 litres in indigenous cows. The per cent of break-even output to total output irrespective of locations were 62.04 in crossbred and 101.91 in indigenous cattle. The overall average input-output ratios irrespective of study locations were 1:1.15 in crossbred and 1:1.11 in indigenous cows. In respect of marketing of milk, majority of the dairy farmers adopted marketing channel 1 (Producer – Consumer) which accounted to 44 per cent of the total milk marketed in the study area; while only meager 6 per cent of total milk were marketed through channel 4 (Producer – Dairy Co-operative – Retailer – Consumer). In regards to socio-economic study, 77 per cent (majority) of the dairy farmers were of middle age group (38 – 55 years), had medium size family (4 – 7 members) medium level (primary – higher secondary) educational qualification, medium (Rs. 28,369 – Rs. 1,58,600) annual family income, medium (upto Rs. 1,09,476.00) annual family income of the dairy farmers from dairying alone. Studies on the different constraints faced by the dairy farmers in adopting day-to-day animal husbandry practices, majority (48.5%) responded that lack of finance was the major constraint followed by delay in receiving payments for milk (44.5%). Other constraints included high cost of concentrate, shortage of green fodder, non-availability of skilled labour, lack of desired marketing channel, inadequate knowledge of cattle diseases, their prevention and control, besides non-availability of timely veterinary services in the study areas.