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Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively. Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively. On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs. In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc. During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.

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Subject: Animal Nutrition × Author: Sunil Wilson × End date: 2001 × Start date: 2000 × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of energy supplementation on growth of crossbred heifers
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Sunil Wilson; KAU; Mercy, A D
    An investigation was carried out to assess the effect of energy supplementation on growth of crossbred heifers. Eighteen crossbred heifers with an average age of 15 months and were distributed into three groups as uniformly as possible with regard to age and body weight. The dietary treatments TI, T2, and T3 were randomly allotted to each group. The three dietary treatments were Tl - control diet (concentrate mixture + straw) as per ICAR recommendations, T2 - control diet supplemented with 0.5 kg ground maize and T3 - control diet supplemented with 1 kg ground maize. The animals maintained on the three dietary treatments Tl , T2 and T3 showed an average daily body weight gain of 535.47,602.15 and 631.18 g respectively during the experimental period of 155 days. Statistical analysis of the body weight gain showed no significant difference between the three dietary treatment groups. The average daily dry matter intake was significantly higher (Pin the animals maintained on T3 ration compared to Tl and 1'2. However the dry matter intake as percentage of body weight remained similar in the heifers fed the three experimental diets. The energy supplementation did not seem to have any effect on the feed to gain and protein efficiency ratios of the crossbred heifers. Energy supplementation to the crossbred heifers had no effect on any of the rumen fermentation characteristics as pH, total volatile fatty acid concentration and ammonia nitrogen concentration of the rumen liquor.• The plasma levels of calcium and phosphorus also remained similar for the animals maintained on the three dietary treatments. A significant increase in the digestibilities of dry matter (P<0.05) and crude protein (Pobserved in the animals supplemented with maize at 0.5 (12) and 1 kg (T3) levels as an energy source compared to the control (TI). However the digestibilities of ether extract, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre remained unaffected by the extra energy supplementation. An improved reproductive performance was exhibited by the animals maintained on T3 ration. The cost of feed for producing unit gain was almost similar for the three dietary treatments. Thus a critical assessment of the overall results obtained during the course of the present study did not reveal any significant effect of energy supplementation on the growth, feed efficiency, rumen fermentation characteristics and the plasma levels of calcium and phosphorus. However, energy supplementation improved the dry matter and crude protein digestibilities. The reproductive performance of the animals was also better in the high energy supplemented group.