CHANDIGARH, February 18: A high-profile delegation from New Zealand visited. It included Professor Garry Udy from MPI, Prof Nicolas Lopez from Massey University, and Dr David Hayman from TRG/ABS. Dr RO Gupta from NDDB was also part of the group. They met with Principal Secretary of Punjab Animal Husbandry Department Mr Rahul Bhandari on Tuesday. They discussed mutual collaboration in the animal husbandry sector. There was a special focus on animal breeding and small-holder dairy systems.

Rahul Bhandari briefed the delegation

Rahul Bhandari briefed the delegation on the ongoing initiatives under the National Dairy Plan-1, which was launched in July 2013. He stated that the project aims to improve genetic merit in cattle and buffalo populations. This will be achieved through progeny testing, genetic evaluation, and selective breeding. Key objectives of the project include producing high genetic merit (HGM) bulls for semen stations, establishing a robust system for genetic evaluation of young bulls, bull dams, and bull sires, and achieving steady genetic progress in milk, fat, SNF (solid-not-fat), and protein yields in cattle and buffalo populations.

New Zealand  : The procurement of 650 HGM male calves was also completed

Bhandari said that currently, the project is being implemented across 160 institutions in three districts of Punjab including Patiala, Sangrur, and Barnala. Significant milestones have been achieved under the project. These include over 4,50,000 artificial insemination’s (AI) and registration of 50,000 female calves. Body measurements were taken for 2,20,000 animals. There was milk recording and type classification of 6,000 calved daughters. The procurement of 650 HGM male calves was also completed, he said. He also emphasized the need for procuring high-quality bulls to further enhance milk production and quality in the state. Meanwhile, the delegation also engaged in detailed discussions on management practices and visited project villages in Patiala district, including Chaswal, Saholi, and Laut, to interact with local farmers and observe the success of the Murrah Progeny Testing (PT) Project. Accompanied by the Director of Animal Husbandry Punjab Dr GS Bedi, the New Zealand team expressed satisfaction on the working and progress of the project in the state. Among others, Project Coordinator Dr Amit Khurana and Dr RPS Bali also attended the meeting.