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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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19771
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Subject: Dairy Technology × End date: 1977 × Start date: 1977 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on hormonal induction of lactation in cows
    (Department of Animal Sciences, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1977) Joseph, P M; KAU; Pavithran, K
    A trial to induce lactation in cows and heifers using the hormones oestradiol dipropionate or stilboestrol dipropionate in combination with progesterone was conducted. The experimental animals comprised of six each of heifers and cows divided into three groups of two each of cows and heifers. Natural oestrogen and progesterone were given to animals in the first group at the rate of 0.05 mg and 0.125 mg per kg body weight respectively at 12 hour intervals consecutively for seven days. The animals in the second group received synthetic oestrogen and progesterone at the same dose and for the same duration. The Animals in the third group were given synthetic oestrogen and progesterone at the rate of 0.10 mg and 0.25 mg per kg body weight respectively, on alternate days, during a period of 14 days. There was considerable udder development in all the animals. The development was more in the animals of group I and III in comparison to those of group II. The heifers exhibited pronounced udder development than the cows. Lactation commenced within a period of 13-21 days after the first injection in all the animals. The milk yield reached the peak with in period of four to ten weeks. The peak yield varied from 140 ml to 4300 ml. The average milk yield per day in the three groups during the period of the first 60 days was 1766,942 and 1638 ml for group I, II and III respectively. The yield obtained for group I and III was significantly higher than that of group II. The heifers gave better yield than the cows. The composition and properties of the milk obtained from the induced lactation was compared with those of the milk from normal cows. It was found that on the eighth day onwards there was no significant difference in the composition and properties of milk obtained from the experimental animals as compared to those milk from postpartum cows. In general the milk from the animals of induced lactation had similar qualities to that of the milk from postpartum cows. The erythrocyte count, haemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume decreased and the plasma protein increased during the treatment as well as the post-treatment periods in comparison to the pre-treatment period. During the treatment period the animals exhibited symptoms of heat. Normal oestrus was observed in six animals with in 42-57 days from the commencement of lactation. Four of them were inseminated and all of them conceived. The body weight remained unchanged in the cows but the heifers showed a slight decline in body weight. Both natural and synthetic oestrogen along with progesterone were effective in inducing lactation. Natural oestrogen in combination with progesterone was more effective in short duration treatment. When the synthetic oestrogen along with progesterone was given for a longer period better results were obtained than short duration. The induction was more successful in heifers than in cows. Regaining of the reproductive efficiency in some fo the problem breeders was an added advantages of the technique adopted.