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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: Livestock Production and Management × End date: 1992 × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of plane of feeding during pre-partum and lactating stages on mothering ability and subsequent conception in sows
    (Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1992) Joseph Mathew; Kurien Thomas
    Thirty six pregnant gilts were randomly maintained on three different planes of feeding with respect to crude protein (CP) and digestible energy (DE) viz. (i) NRC recommended levels as control (ii) a high plane of 10% increase of CP with respect to NRC level and (iii) a low plane of 10% decrease of CP and DE with respect to NRC – at four stages A, B, C, and D which represented the periods 56 – 83 days of gestation, 84 days to farrowing, farrowing to 28 days and 29 to 56 days post – partum respectively. Shifting of plane of feeding from low to high plane and vice versa while NRC level treated as control, resulted in nine treatment groups each having four experimental units. The body weight gain/ loss of the dam in stages A and D, live litter size and weight at birth, litter size and weight at weaning, parturient and suckling behaviour – expressed as a score – feed consumption of sow and the litter and the overall mothering ability of the sow expressed as composite sow index were beneficially influenced by a high plane of feeding when compared to NRC, while the low plane of feeding was significantly (P < 0.01) poor with respect to almost all the above traits. However, the total litter size at birth, average birth weight of live piglets, feeding and post – weaning oestrus behaviour – expressed as scroes - and conception rate were not significantly affected by plane of feeding. Overall results suggested that a switch – over to high plane of feeding at 84 days of gestation till weaning is most efficient with respect to litter output, economy and post – weaning conception.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of the feeding value of tea waste for milk production in cows
    (Department of Dairy Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1978) Prasad, V; KAU; Subramanyam, M
    An investigation was carried out to find out the feeding value of tea waste for milk production in cows. A total of nine Jersey x Sindhi crossbred cows were divided into three groups of three animals each and fed tea waste in their concentrate ration at 0, 15 and 25 per cent levels. A switch – over design was used for the experiment.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Draught potentialities of indigenous and cross-bred cattle
    (Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1988) Sreekumar, D; KAU; Thomas, C K
    The draught performance of Bos indicus x Bos Taurus crossbred bullocks was compared with that of bullocks belonging to a South Indian draught breed (Kangayam type) under the agro - climatic conditions of Kerala, with a hot – humid tropical climate. Two pairs of adult cross – bred bullocks (Jersey x Red Sindhi) and two pairs of adult indigenous bullocks (Kangayam type) were used for ploughing on dry land for 4 hours and 5 hours continuously on alternate days. Physiological responses like respiratory rate, pulse rate and rectal temperature and haematological parameters like haemoglobin per cent, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, packed cell volume, lactic acid and plasma bicarbonate were estimated before work, immediately after work and after 1 hour of rest after work. The dry matter intake and water intake on days of work and on days on which no work was done were measured and compared. In order to evaluate the relative efficiency of work, the average speed of walking and the total area ploughed in 1 hour were compared. The cross – bred bullocks had significantly higher physiological responses even before the start of work. As a result of work the physiological responses increased significantly and during rest, the values declined but did not reach the pre – exercise values after one hour rest. The haemoglobin per cent of blood, packed cell volume and plasma bicarbonate content decreased significantly and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and blood lactic acid content showed a significant increase as a result of work. One hour of rest was not sufficient to bring these parameters to pre – exercise values. The indigenous bullocks consumed more dry matter per metabolic body size than the cross – breds. However, the total dry matter intake by the indigenous bullocks was less due to smaller body size. It was found that work had no effect on dry matter intake as the dry matter intake of indigenous and cross – bred bullocks on days of work and on days on which no work was done was almost similar. The cross – breds consumed more water per day matter per metabolic body size on days of work and no work. The total area ploughed by indigenous bullocks in 1 hour was significantly more than the cross – bred bullocks. Also, the average speed of walking of indigenous bullocks was greater than that of the cross – breds. The enhanced physiological reactions in the cross – breds even before the work pointed to the fact that they were under some degree of thermal stress due to the hot – humid climate. Exercise (work) increased the stress and widened the gap between the cross – breds and indigenous bullocks. The lower total feed intake and greater speed and more area ploughed per unit time make the indigenous Kangayam type bullocks a more economical animal. Their higher feed intake and lower water intake per unit metabolic size indicates that they can better sustain energy supply to the tissues for work and manage under lower water availability. Coupled with these advantages, their greater heat adaptability make them a superior draught animal.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of stocking density on the performance of growing pigs
    (Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1992) Leena, K; KAU; Rajagopalan, T G
    The objectives of the study were, to find out the minimum floor space requirement without affecting performance in growing pigs, to assess change in the pattern of behaviour in pigs due to change in stocking rates and to find out whether there is any effect of reduction in floor space upon the growth and carcass quality of pigs. Twenty seven large White Yorkshire weanling female pigs having an average body weight of 8.5 kg and 56 days of age were assigned at random to three treatment groups. In the first (control) group of six pigs, each received lm2 of floor space (as per ISI specification) while in the second group there were nine pigs and in the third group 12 pigs received 0.75 m2 and 0.5m2 of floor space per pig respectively. Animals were provided with concentrate and allowed to consume as much as they could within a period of one hour. Total weight gain of 58.5 kg, 56.22 kg and 55.46 kg were noticed in control group, group two and group three respectively. Variations of average fortnightly body weight of pigs due to stocking density were not found to be significant. Similar trend were noticed in the case of height, length and girth. When the feed conversion efficiency was taken as whole, it was found to be highest in group III (3.746 + 0.667) and lowest in group I (3.960 + 0.864). The animals of group II were showing feed conversion efficiency between group I and group III (3.798 + 0.744). Aggressive behaviour was measured by counting the number of threats and number of ear – biting incidence. These parameters were found to be highest at higher stocking densities. When the dressing percentage with head is taken and compared to per unit weight, no apparent difference was observed between the groups (1.096; 1.360 and 1.118 per cent respectively for group I, II and III). Similar was the trend in half carcass weight, weight of the ham, carcass length and eye muscle area. The back fat thickness was found to be similar in group I and III (2.41 cm and 2.388 cm respectively) and less in group II (1.499 cm). From the experimental result to significant difference could be observed in the performance of those pigs having a floor space as per ISI specification and the one where the floor space reduced to the extent of 50 percentage.