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Anand Agricultural University, Anand
Anand Agricultural University (AAU) was established in 2004 at Anand with the support of the Government of Gujarat, Act No.(Guj 5 of 2004) dated April 29, 2004. Caved out of the erstwhile Gujarat Agricultural University (GAU), the dream institution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr. K. M. Munshi, the AAU was set up to provide support to the farming community in three facets namely education, research and extension activities in Agriculture, Horticulture Engineering, product Processing and Home Science. At present there seven Colleges, seventeen Research Centers and six Extension Education Institute working in nine districts of Gujarat namely Ahmedabad, Anand, Dahod, Kheda, Panchmahal, Vadodara, Mahisagar, Botad and Chhotaudepur
AAU's activities have expanded to span newer commodity sectors such as soil health card, bio-diesel, medicinal plants apart from the mandatory ones like rice, maize, tobacco, vegetable crops, fruit crops, forage crops, animal breeding, nutrition and dairy products etc. the core of AAU's operating philosophy however, continues to create the partnership between the rural people and committed academic as the basic for sustainable rural development. In pursuing its various programmes AAU's overall mission is to promote sustainable growth and economic independence in rural society. AAU aims to do this through education, research and extension education. Thus, AAU works towards the empowerment of the farmers.
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ThesisItem Open Access GROWTH PERFORMANCE, FEED EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMICS OF REARING PRE-WEANED LAMBS SUPPLEMENTED WITH NON-CONVENTIONAL CREEP MIXTURES UNDER FEEDLOT SYSTEM(AAU, Anand, 1999) Trivedi, Manojkumar Motibhai; Patel, Ashok M.A twelve week growth trial was conducted on 24 and 21 suckling lambs in Phase I and Phase n, respectively. In both the phases, the lambs were assigned to three dietary treatments on body weight basis when they were 21 days old. In Phase I, the dietary treatments were comprised of conventional (T1) or non-conventional I (T2) or nonconventional II (T3) creep mixtures plus ad libitum mature pasture grass and limited quantity of green NB21 fodder. In Phase II, the lambs were assigned to conventional (T1) or non-conventional III (T2) or non-conventional IV (T3) creep mixtures plus ad libitum jowar hay and limited quantity of green NB21 fodder. Each treatment group had Marwari, Patanwadi and Merino x Patanwadi lambs in both the phases. The lambs were fed individually the allocated creep mixtures and roughages. The dams of all the lambs in both the phases were fed to meet their energy and protein needs as per ICAR (1985) feeding standard. In Phase I, the non-conventional-I (T2) and non-conventional-II (T3) creep mixtures were comprised of Prosopis juliflora pods 23 and 22 per cent, babul pods chuni 14 and 22 per cent and mango seed kernel 16 and 19 per cent. In addition to these, non-conventional-I creep mixture contained GN cake and rice polish each 17 per cent while in non-conventional-II creep mixture boiled Cassia tora seeds (9%) and com steep liquor (15%) were incorporated. In Phase-ll, the non-conventional-IIl (T2) and non-conventionaHV (T3) creep mixtures comprised of Prosopis juliflora pods 24 and 21 per cent, babul pods chuni 12 and 19 per cent and mango seed kernel 18 and 12 per cent. In addition to these, nonconventional- IV creep mixture contained boiled Cassia tora seeds (9%) and com steep liquor (14%). In non-conventional-III creep mixture, the GN cake (18%) and rice polish (15%) were incorporated. In both the phases, the conventional creep mixture (T1) was formulated using maize (43%), GN cake (15%) and rice polish (29%). In all, five creep mixtures formulated to content, mineral mixture'3 per cent and jaggery solution/ molasses 10 per cent. In Phase I, the average daily dry matter intake of solid feeds during the entire experimental period in terms of g/day, per cent of body weight and g/kg W.75 in conventional (T1), non-conventional I (T2) and non-conventional II (T3) groups were recorded as 230.00 ± 50.23, 2.15 ± 0.28 and 38.67 ± 5.86; 228.44 ± 47.52, 2.16 ± 0.25 and 38.66 ± 5.38 and 226.17 ± 47.02, 2.10 ± 0.23 and 37.73 ± 5.17, respectively. The treatment means did not differ significantly from each other. In Phase II, the respective values for T1, T2 and T3 groups were 253.12 ± 50.69, 2.00 ± 0.26 and 37.55 ± 5.58; 261.76 ± 52.72, 2.16 ± 0.29 and 40.06 ± 6.06 and 254.56 ± 52.49, 2.14 ± 0.29 and 39.48 ± 6.10. The treatment means for dry matter intake expressed as per cent of body weight and g/kg W0.75 did not differ significantly.ThesisItem Open Access FEEDLOT PERFORMANCE OF WEANER LAMBS ON AZOLLA BASED NON-CONVENTIONAL TOTAL MIXED RATION UNDER INTENSIVE PRODUCTION SYSTEM(AAU, Anand, 1999) Wadhwani, Kishankumar N.; Patel, Ashok M.The growth trial was conducted under feedlot system on twenty one farm born weaner lambs in two phases. The animals were assigned to 3 dietary treatments (T1,T2 and T3) on body weight basis which comprised of conventional (TMR I), non-conventional I (TMR II) and non-conventional II total mixed rations (TMR III) in phase I, the animals were individually fed. In phase II, the lambs were assigned to conventional (TMR I), non-conventional I (TMR IV) and non conventional II total mixed ration (TMR V) and group feeding was followed. Total mixed ration was fed ad lib in order to meet energy and protein requirement of lambs as per ICAR (1985). Each treatment group had Marwari, Patanwadi and Merino x Patanwadi lambs. In phase-I, the TMR I comprised of maize (22 % ) , groundnut cake (15 % ) , rice polish (15 % ) , molasses (10 % ) , mineral mixture (3 %) and urea treated wheat straw (35 %) the non-conventional I (TMR II) and non conventional II (TMR-III) total mixed ration comprised of AzollSy 10 % and 20 %, PJ pods 15 % and 17 % and corn steep liquor 12 % and 15 %, respectively. In addition to these TMR-II contained Rice polish 10 % and GN cake, 5 % to make it isonitrogenous. Both TMR II and TMR III contained same level of molasses, mineral mixture and urea treated wheat straw in TMR I. In phase II, the non conventional T (TMR TV) and non conventional II (TMR V) total mixed rations comprised of Azolla 15 and 25 %, PJ pods 20 and 17 % and corn steep liquor 12 and 15 %, respectively. In addition to these, GN cake to the extent of 5 % was added in TMR IV. The urea treated wheat straw was added at the rate of 35 % in TMR I and TMR IV and 30 % in TMR V. The growth trial lasted for 112 days during which the animals attained live weight acceptable in the local market. In phase I, the average daily dry matter intake during the entire experimental period in terms of g/day, per cent of body weight and g/kg W0.75 in conventional (TMR I), non conventional I (TMR II) and non conventional II (TMR III) groups was recorded as 721.60 ± 75.64, 3.46 ±0.18 and 73.81 ± 4.82, 757.28 ± 35.86, 4.04 ± 0.13 and 84.92 ± 3.26 and 671.63 ± 50.78, 3.80 ± 0.21 and 78.19 ± 4.38, respectively. The treatment means did not differ with each other. In phase II, the respective values for TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V were 642.29 ± 39.82, 3.32 ± 0.08 and 69.48 ± 1.90, 606.14 ± 30.68, 3.46 ± 0.05 and 70.60 ± 1.64 and 598.98 ± 31.14, 3.41 ± 0.07 and 69.78 ± 2.12, respectively. The treatment means were statistically similar. The average daily water intake (ml/day) during the entire experimental period during phase I was 3154.46 ± 327.2, 2735.92 ± 139.54 and 2454.62 ± 161.66 in treatment groups T1, T2 and Ta respectively. In phase II, the corresponding values were 2794.92 ± 254.12, 2662.08 ± 211.10 and 2654.91 ± 233.33 in TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V, respectively. The treatment groups in both the phases showed statistically similar values. In phase I, at the end of experimental feeding, the lambs in T1, T2 and T3 groups attained 25.24 ± 1.96, 23.51 ± 1.36 and 21.07 ± 1.12 kg live body weight, respectively. The body weight in all the treatment group did not differ each other but period effect was significant (P < 0.05). In phase II, the live weight was recorded 24.36 i 1.16, 20.34 ± 1.24 and 20.24 ± 1.49 kg in TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V groups, respectively. The difference between treatment groups was statistically non significant but period as well as period x treatment interaction was significant (P < 0.05). In phase I, the digestibility coefficient in TMR I, TMR II and TMR III respectively for dry matter (59.58 ± 1.72, 51.60 ± 0.52 and 51.98 ± 0.44), organic matter (67.22 ± 1.49, 63.53 ± 2.40 and 63.69 ± 1.42), crude protein (80.50 ± 1.94, 73.82 ± 1.47 and 73.40 ± 1.76), crude fibre (62.27 ± 0.87, 63.18 ± 1.32 and 59.10 ± 1.37), nitrogen free extract (60.37 ± 0.70, 57.48 ± 1.42 and 57.22 ± 1.64) and ether extract (58.82 ± 0.80, 59.69 ± 1.79 and 55.73 ± 1.57) were ascertained. The dry matter and crude protein digestibility of the TMR I differed significantly (P < 0.05) with TMR II and TMR III groups. In phase II, the corresponding values for dry matter (61.76 ± 2.10 , 53.27 ± 0.72 and 52.35 ± 0.99), organic matter (68.37 ± 1.17, 59.66 ± 2.09 and 59.61 ± 2.22), crude protein (79.94 ± 2.12, 78.54 ± 2.04 and 74.56 ± 1.58) crude fibre (61.85 ± 1.01, 63.44 ± 1.98 and 57.66 ± 2.01), nitrogen free extract (62.71 ± 0.77, 57.87 ± 2.26 and 53.08 ± 1.68) and ether extract (60.01 ± 0.71, 58.70 ± 1.37 and 56.20 ± 0.96) was recorded. The digestibility coefficients of dry matter organic matter and nitrogen free extract was significantly (P < 0.06) higher for TMR I than either of TMR IV or TMR V group. In phase I, the nitrogen balance (g/head/day) was 9.98 ± 0.40, 9.66 ± 0.28 and 8.70 ± 0.46 in lambs reared on T1, T2 and Ta rations, respectively. The treatment means did not differ significantly. In phase II, the respective values were 9.81 ± 0.50, 10.06 ± 0.28 and 12.21 ± 0.21 in lambs reared on TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V groups, respectively TMR I and TMR IV did not differ significantly but differ from TMR V. In phase I, the TMR I, TMR II and TMR III provided 13.52 ± 0.42, 11.34 ± 0.36 and 10.62 ± 0.13 per cent DCP and 61.81 ± 0.32, 57.72 ± 1.92 and 55.90 ± 0.55 per cent TDN, respectively. The conventional TMR provided significantly (P < 0.05) higher DCP and TDN than both the non conventional groups which did not differ among themselves. In phase II, the TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V provided 13.32 ± 0.34, 11.48 ± 0.30 and 11.10 ± 0.18 per cent DCP and 61.88 ± 0.23, 58.13 ± 2.11 and 55.48 ± 1.04 per cent TDN. The treatment means showed similar trend as that in phase I. In phase I, the dressing percentage on live weight basis and as the percentage of empty live weight under Ti (50.40 ± 0.83 and 59.63 ± 1.11) T2 (48.51 ± 1.05 and 61.89 ± 1.32) and T3 (48.08 ± 1.20 and 62.33 ± 1.06) group of lambs were calculated. In phase II, the corresponding figures were 47.5 ± 1.07 and 59.38 ± 1.11, 49.34 ± 1.12 and 62.93 ± 1.27 and 47.89 ± 1.03 and 59.96 ± 1.22 in TMR I TMR IV and TMR V groups, respectively. Similar was the trend with respect to primal cuts and edible and non edible organ weight. The feed efficiency in terms of DM, DCP and TDN intake (kg/kg live weight gain) in experimental lambs reared under TMR I, TMR II and TMR III groups was worked out as 8.10 ± 0.98, 1.11 ± 0.09 and 5.09 ± 0.45, 10.90 ± 0.87, 1.14 ± 0.07 and 5.82 ± 0.36 and 13.16 ± 1.1, 1.35 ± 0.13 and 7.13 ± 0.70, respectively. The feed efficiency in terms of DM intake was significantly (P < 0.05) high in conventional group as compared to non conventional groups which did not differ among themselves, but the treatment groups did not differ with respect to DCP and TDN intake per kg live weight gain. In phase IT, the respective values were 7.07 ± 0.97, 0.99 and 4,60, 12.56 ± 1,72 1.25 and 6.34 and 14.96 ± 3.44, 1.28 and 6.44 in TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V, respectively. The feed cost (Rs/animal) during the experiment was worked out as 623.55 ± 64.09, 352.50 ± 22.06 and 256.96 ± 16.42 for TMR I, TMR II and TMR III group, respectively. Both, TMR II and TMR III groups recorded significantly (P < 0.05) lower cost as compared to TMR I group. The total feed cost (pre experimental ± experimental) was worked out as Rs. 863.55 ± 64.09, 592.50 ± 22.06 and 496.96 ± 16.42 for T1 , T2 and T3 treatment groups, respectively. In phase IT, the experimental feed cost (Rs/animal) for TMR T, TMR IV and TMR V group was worked out as 472,82, 261.52 and 246.21 and the total feed cost (pre-experimental ± experimental) was Rs. 712.82, 501,52 and 486.21 per lamb. The trend of feed cost was same as in the phase I. Based on the enquiries from the retailers in the local market, the total realisable receipts (Rs/animal) in phase I were computed as 1292.15 ± 90.04, 1177.00 ± 60.48 and 1059.38 ± 49.32 respectively for TMR I, TMR II and TMR III group. The TMR I recorded significantly (P < 0.05) higher receipt than the other groups. The feed cost per kg dressed weight worked out as Rs. 67.01 ± 0.86, 52.46 ± 1.84 and 51.04 ± 2.03 for TMR I, TMR II and TMR III group, respectively. The TMR II and TMR III groups recorded significantly (P < 0.05) lower feed cost per kg dressed weight when compared to conventional, though they did not differ from each other. In phase II, respective figures for TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V were 1133.89 ± 47.45, 1039.09 ± 57.48 and 1009.42 ± 68.32. The feed cost per kg dressed weight was calculated as 61.60, 49.95 and 48.72 for TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V, respectively. The contribution of experimental feed cost/kg dressed weight in phase I was Rs. 47.64, 31.02 and 28.35 in TMR I, TMR II and TMR III groups respectively. The TMR I group recorded significnalty (P < 0.05) higher contribution as compared to other groups. In phase II, the cost worked out as Rs. 40.86, 26.04 and 24.67 in TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V groups, respectively. The returns as per cent of feed cost in phase I was calculated as 150.12 ± 2.46, 198.59 ± 6.64 and 213.57 ± 9.31 for TMR I, TMR II and TMR III group respectively and the values were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in non conventional groups as compared to TMR I group In phase II, the respective average values were 155.09, 207.18 and 207.60 for TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V group. During 06-18 hours of the day 75.05, 76.42 and 73.93 % of the total was feed consumed by the lambs in TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V groups, respectively.ThesisItem Open Access Growth Feed Efficiency and Economics Under Intensive Production System of Pre-weaned Lambs and Kids Supplemented With Non-conventional Creep Mixtures(AAU, Anand, 1999) Shah, Shaileshkumar Vipinchandra; Patel, Ashok M.On any livestock farm, feeding accounts for more than 2/3rd of the total expenditure. A little saving in this cost can increase the profit significantly. Keeping this in mind, the present study was conducted with the following objectives : The present experiment was conducted in three different phases. The first phase experiment was initiated with 17 pre-weaner lambs and 13 kids of around one month of age and was lasted for 112 days. The second phase was conducted on 18 weaner kids by feeding them complete feed in group and it lasted for six weeks. The third phase was also conducted on weaner kids (18) under individual feeding regime and it lasted for five weeks. In all the three phases, conventional feed was compared with the nonconventional feeds. The body v/eights of the lambs at the beginning and at the end of experiment period of 112 days (actual average age 142 days) in the three treatment groups were 6.57 + 1.22 and 16.42 ± 2.08 (T1. Conventional control, CC), 6.55 ± 0.76 and 21.52 ± 1.58 (T2: Non-conventional-I, NC-1) and 6.55 + 0.59 and 17.76 ± 0.85 kg (T3: Nonconventional- II, NC-2), respectively indicating an average growth of 87.90 ± 7.10, 133.53 + 7,33 and 100.04 + 5.90 g/day in the three treatments, respectively. The differences among the treatments both, at the beginning and at the end of the experiment were statistically non-significant for the body weight whereas the growth rate was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in T2. The body weights of pre-weaned kids (Phase I) at the beginning of the experimental period were 4.28 ± 0.34 kg for T1 (Conventional Control - CC) and 4.98 ± 0.40 kg for T2 (Non-conventional-1 - NC-1). The same at the end of the experiment of eight bi-weekly intervals increased to 9.26 ± 0.49 and 9.90 ± 0.47 kg, respectively with an average growth rate of 44.34 ± 3.49 and 43.94 ± 3.29 g/day for the two treatments. The differences both at the beginning and at the end of the experimental period, however, were statistically at par. The body weights of weaner kids (Phase II) increased to 11.202 ± 0.27 (Conventional Control - CC), 11.082 ± 0.53 (Non-conventional-1 - NC-1) and 11.382 ± 0.26 kg (Non-conventional-2 - NC-2) from 10.367 ± 0.26, 10.488 ± 0.43 and 10.183 ± 0.31 kg in T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively and were at par. A linear increasing trend was observed in the body weight of kids throughout the experimental period in all the treatments. The growth rate of weaner kids (Phase II) fed non-conventional complete feed-2 (28.53 t 5.63) wa.s significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that observed in the control (19.88 ±1.11 g-May) or the non-conventional-1 kids (14.15 ± 6.01 g/day). The average body weight at the beginning of the experiment of weaner kids in Phase m was 10.82 + 0.41, 10.80 + 0.73 and 10.85 ± 0.44 kg for T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively. The same increased to 13.30 + 0.72, 13.68 ± 0.89 and 13.12 ± 0.68 kg. respectively. The growth rate (g/day) of kids in Phase HI was higher in T3 (77.14 ± 9.93) followed by Tl (68.90 ± 8.57) and T2 (63.28 + 10.41). The differences among the treatments, were at par. The increase in body length, heart girth and height at withers of the lambs was observed to be 13.66 + 2.00, 20.09 ± 1.47 and 16.00 ± 1.91 cm, 10.26 ± 0.71, 10.92 + 0.89 and 11.45 ± 1.06 cm and 18.03 + 1.82, 20.39 ± 0.58 and 19.69 ± 1.47 cm for the three treatment groups, respectively. The differences among the treatments were nonsignificant The increase in body length, heart girth and height at withers of the experimental kids (Phase I) was observed to be 9.01 ± 1.70 and 7.32 ± 1.00 cm, 9.96 ± 1.34 and 9.32 ± 0.63 cm and 6.88 ± 1.04 and 6.35 ± 0.66 cm, respectively for the two treatment groups, respectively. The differences among the treatments were statistically non-significant. The DM intake by lambs of Phase I was 491.55 ± 17.26, 526.46 ± 2.87 and 488.64 ± 7.37g/day; 58.70 ± 3.55; 49.81 ± 1.00 and 53.47 ± 1.46 g/kgW0.75 and 2.90 ± 0.26; 2.26 ± O06 and 2.55 ± 0G8 kg/100 kg bodj' weight for Tl, T2 and T3 treatments, respectively. The DM intake in all the three forms for all the treatments was statistically similar. The digestibility of all the proximate nutrients was higher for the conventional group as compared to the non-conventional treatments. The mean balance of nitrogen of the lambs fed conventional, non-conventional-1 and non-conventional-2 creep mixtures was found to be 4.73 ± 0.16, 4.62 ± 0.06 and 3.64 ± 0.11 g/lamb/day, respectively. The nitrogen balance of T3 was observed to be the lowest (P < 0 05) as compared to those observed for the CC and NC-1.ThesisItem Open Access INVESTIGATIONS ON DRAFT PERFORMANCE AND CERTAIN RELATED ASPECTS IN KANKREJ AND CROSSBRED BULLOCKS(AAU, Anand, 1998) Dhangar, Mahesh R.; Patel, Ashok M.An investigation was undertaken at the Department of Livestock Production, Veterinary College, Anand to study draft performance of Kankrej and Jersey x Kankrej bullocks. A total of 6 bullocks of each breed were subjected to carting loads equivalent to (pay load) 150% (340 kg), 200% (620 kg), 250% (900 kg) and 300% (1180 kg) of body weight, and to agricultural operations. The work trials were conducted for 3 hours in both, morning and afternoon sessions of stressful (standard weeks 19 to 23; THI 88.15 ± 0.70) and comfort (standard weeks 49 to 52 and 1 to 3; THI 74.04 ± 0.41) seasons. The carting trials were carried out using single animal pneumatic tyred bullock cart on the kutcha farm roads. The single plough operation of 3 hours duration at vapsa condition of sandy loam soil was followed by double planking for 1 1/2 hrs in each session. The strain gauge type load cell (fit to telescopic beam of cart and plough) along with digital indicator was used to record pull exerted by the bullocks while different work. The body weight and body length of crossbred bullocks were significantly greater by 37.86 kg and 1.65 cm while the height at withers being lesser by 1.96 cm than those of Kankrej (539.70 kg; BL 165.14; H Th!s 142.67 cm), This resulted into greater angle of pull at A carting and agricultural operations in Kankrej as compared to crossbreds. The bullocks of both the breeds aged 8.33 yrs and were healthy (Hb, 11.40 ± 0.08 gm%) . The pulling force, speed of travel and hp production at carting were higher (P<0.01) respectively by 2.47, 8.09 and 10.71 % in crossbreds than in Kankrej (40.50 ± 0.62 kg, 3.83 ± 0.03 km/hr, 0.56 ±0.01 hp). The hp output by a pair of bullocks averaged 1.07 and 0.52 at ploughing and planking respectively.The draft generation and work output while carting different load units indicated a curvilinear relationship between load intensity and draft production. Breed x load and season x load did affect draft performance favouring crossbreds at heavy loads, and higher work production during winter than in summer, whereas breed x season, breed x time (session) of the day and breed x period interactions did not exert significant effect on draft generation and hp production The stride length of Kankrej bullocks was 2.60% shorter (P>0.05) than that of crossbred bullocks (1.54± 0.01 m). It was affected only by period / duration of work. Overall area ploughed in 3 hrs session was 0.371 ± 0.04 hac. The efficiency (area covered per hour) of agricultural operations was significantly affected by breed, type of work, season, time of the day and season x agril. operation interaction. Kankrej bullocks ploughed slightly (P>0.05) deeper (0.04 cm) and yielded wider furrow than crossbreds. The respiration rate increased by 66.13, 32.70 and 0.81% and rectal temperature by 0.61, 0.42 and 0.26% during 1st, 2nd and 3rd hour of work. The interactions indicated a greater rise in the physiological responses of crossbreds than of Kankrej, during summer, afternoon session, as well as at heavier work. The heart rate of working bullocks was 7.33% more (P< 0.05) during summer more. than in winter (73.23/min), similarly 4.65% more during afternoon over morning (74.19/min.). The 30 min of rest following 3 hours of work led the physiological responses to near to prework level. The rate of normalization was greater in crossbreds. Of the crossbred bullocks subjected to different works during summer,33.3% showed profuse salivation or full mouth frothing. Both time taken (post onset of work) for initiation as well as intensification were by affected by intensity of work, being earlier for heavy work load. Distress signs reflecting a slight excitement were observed at 900 and 1180 kg pay loads. Similar distress score of 17-18 (on 40 point scale) after 3 hours of carting of 1180 kg pay load during stressful period (THI, 88.2) was worked out for both the breeds. A 3-hours of work caused significant decline in blood glucose and elevation in blood lactic acid. asma creatinine and haemoglobin levels of the llocks. The alterations were more marked during mmer than in winter and at carting 1180 kg load. Body weight and body length showed positive lationship (r = 0.13 to 0.24) with draft performance aits of the bullocks. e Ambient temperature adversely affected the speed d stride length (r,-0.24 to -0.43; P<0.05).ThesisItem Open Access IDENTIFICATION, PREDICTION OF AGE AND PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE IN BOVINES USING MUZZLE PRINTOMETRY TECHNIQUE(AAU, Anand, 1998) Singh, Narendra Pratap; Patel, Ashok M.The present investigation was carried out to identify and predict the age and production performance of bovines by muzzle printometry technique. A total of 783 animals of various age groups of different bovine breeds viz. crossbred, Jersey, Holstein Friesian, Gir and Kankrej cattle as well as Surti and Jaffarabadi buffaloes maintained at various Livestock Research Stations of Gujarat Agricultural University were included in the present study.A new modified technique was developed for obtaining the clear and quick muzzle print by (a) slightly modifying the curvature of metal pad, (b) applying the sweat pad for checking the sweat and (c) muzzle print on plane thick white duplicating paper.The coding of whole muzzle for identification was done on the basis of muzzle groove and muzzle characteristics. The grooved muzzles were prominent in indigenous breeds of cattle, while buffaloes had incomplete type of groove only. The elliptical shape of groove was maximum (39.8 to 58.3 percent) in all the breeds of cattle, while arrow and bell shaped grooves observed in buffaloes only. It was observed that muzzle prints of buffaloes did not have ridged beads and tubular spaces. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among the breeds for various muzzle measurements and characteristics, except ridged beads. Hence, a combined approach of classification , muzzle as a whole with muzzle measurements and characteristics in different sectors of muzzle improved the accuracy of identification.For determining the age, muzzle prints of different breeds were further classified into various age groups for muzzle measurements (basal length, upper length, central length and distance between nostrils) and characteristics (bead, clustered bead, ridged bead and total converted bead).