Livestock in India: Key Facts Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What percentage of the world's buffalo population is found in India?

57% (correct)

45%

60%

50%

Which Indian state has the highest cross-bred cattle population?

Kerala

Punjab

Uttar Pradesh

Tamil Nadu (correct)

What is the estimated annual positive growth rate of poultry in India?

10%

12% (correct)

4-6%

5.85%

Which livestock category has shown a declining trend in population from 1992?

Cattle Signup and view all the answers

How many breeds of sheep are reported in India?

44 Signup and view all the answers

What is the proportion of male indigenous cattle reduction reported?

22% Signup and view all the answers

What role does livestock play in the Indian economy?

Providing manure and draught power Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of India’s GDP is contributed by the livestock and fisheries sector?

5% Signup and view all the answers

What role did William Moorcraft hold in India?

The first veterinary surgeon in a civil capacity Signup and view all the answers

Which animal was reported to be more esteemed as a dairy animal in Dr. Voelcker's observations?

Buffalo Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant issue faced in cities regarding animal husbandry after independence?

Unsanitary conditions due to city cattle Signup and view all the answers

How much milk did the average cow in Bengal yield per day, according to Dr. Voelcker's report?

1 litre Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the world's bovine population is located in India?

23% Signup and view all the answers

At what age do sheep typically replace their first pair of temporary incisors with permanent central incisors?

14-18 months Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for India's low share in total world milk production despite housing a large bovine population?

Lack of planned selection for production traits Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main purposes of castration in livestock?

To induce docility Signup and view all the answers

What was the condition of cow’s milk production in Madras according to Dr. Voelcker’s report?

1-2 litres per day Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the famine commission appointed after the severe famine in 1876?

Implementation of modern farming techniques Signup and view all the answers

Which method of castration is known as bloodless?

Burdizzo method Signup and view all the answers

When is the ideal time to perform castration to avoid complications?

Cold season Signup and view all the answers

What is a common method for castrating young animals under three months of age?

Elastrator method Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the testes after using the Burdizzo method?

They undergo atrophy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reason for castration?

Increasing breeding opportunities Signup and view all the answers

What is the optimal age for performing castration on adult animals?

Within 1 year Signup and view all the answers

What information must the label on a livestock consignment display?

The name, address, and telephone number of the consignor and consignee Signup and view all the answers

How much space is required per adult cattle in a railway wagon?

2 square metres Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to prevent stress during transportation of pregnant cattle?

Avoid mixing them with young cattle Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum number of adult cattle that can be transported in an ordinary goods wagon on broad gauge?

10 adult cattle Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary for loading cattle safely from a vehicle?

Suitable rope and platforms Signup and view all the answers

How is ventilation adequately ensured in a cattle wagon?

By opening the upper door on one side with a protective mesh Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of straws placed on the floor of a cattle wagon?

To pad the floor and avoid injuries Signup and view all the answers

What must be arranged for the journey regarding water and feed?

Carrying enough feed for emergencies and adequate water Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of ruminants' feed must be derived from the holding where the animals are kept under organic management?

60% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT permitted in organic livestock feed?

Chemical fertilizers Signup and view all the answers

What is a requirement for farmland to qualify for organic certification?

It must be managed organically for at least 36 months. Signup and view all the answers

Which living condition must be provided to organic livestock?

Access to pasture for ruminants Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main responsibilities of organic livestock producers regarding health care practices?

Select the appropriate species and type of livestock Signup and view all the answers

How should manure be managed by organic livestock producers?

Managed to prevent contamination and optimize nutrient recycling Signup and view all the answers

What concept emphasizes the interaction between air, sunlight, water, soil, and living creatures in organic farming?

Dynamic balance in nature Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following terms is commonly associated with organic farming?

Zero budget farming Signup and view all the answers

What is the required pitch of a roof for thatched or tiled structures?

1/4 Signup and view all the answers

Which roof type allows for roof ventilation through a continuous ridge opening?

Gable roof Signup and view all the answers

What is the vertical height between the eave and the ridge of a roof referred to as?

Rise Signup and view all the answers

For which type of building is the monitor roof particularly suited?

Tropical buildings Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum span suitable for a lean to type roof?

2-4 meters Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following roof types overlaps at the ridge with a ventilation gap?

Semi monitor roof Signup and view all the answers

What design consideration is crucial for animal buildings to enhance utility?

Designing for flexibility Signup and view all the answers

What width range is specified for single row cow sheds?

3.8 to 4.25 meters Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Indian Livestock and Animal Husbandry

William Moorcraft, a veterinarian from the first veterinary college (Lyons), was the first veterinarian to practice in India in a civil capacity.
A severe famine in India (1876) affected 60 million people and killed 5.25 million. A famine commission's recommendations spurred agricultural improvements in India.
Dr. Voelcker (1889) studied Indian agriculture and reported the buffalo was more valuable than cows as a dairy animal.
Indian cows typically produced 1-2 liters of milk per day (variable by region), principally for six months. Exceptional breeds like Nellore produced over 10 liters daily.
India imported skim milk powder before independence. City cattle living conditions were considered unhygienic.
Arey Milk Colony was established (1949) near Bombay to move city cattle to healthier living conditions..
India possesses enormous animal wealth, but productivity is low compared to other countries. 23% of the world's bovine population is in India, but only 12.5% of global milk production originates from India.
In 1994, 66 million cattle and 39 million buffalo produced only 66 million tonnes of milk, while 10 million cows in the United States produced 70 million tonnes.
This difference stems from a lack of planned selection for production traits. Previously, cows were valued for bulls with draught capacity, not for milk production.
India has 57% of the world's buffalo and 16% of the world's cattle population. Uttar Pradesh (UP) holds the highest buffalo population and Tamil Nadu (TN) has the highest crossbred cattle. 60% of crossbred cattle are located in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Punjab.
India ranks first in buffalo, second in cattle and goats, third in sheep, fourth in ducks, fifth in chickens, and sixth in camels globally.
Analysis of animal census data reveals a declining cattle population (1.18% decline), mainly indigenous cattle due to government breeding policies. This is part of replacing low-productivity indigenous animals with higher-productivity crossbred animals.
Other animal populations that are declining include horses, donkeys, and camels.
Poultry, dogs, buffalo, sheep, goats, and pigs have positive growth rates, ranging from 0.22% to 5.85%.
India has diverse domestic animal breeds: cattle (28), goats (23), sheep (44), and buffalo (7).
Agriculture is the predominant occupation (58%) in India, contributing 17% of the GDP. Animal husbandry (livestock and fisheries) is a subset, contributing 5% of GDP (or about 1/4 of agriculture's contribution).
Livestock productivity (4-6% annual growth rate), particularly poultry (up to 12% annual growth), is significantly higher than the general agriculture sector.

Animal Husbandry Practices

Castration: This practice, common in India, makes animals unable to reproduce. It's used to make bullocks docile, improve meat quality, control indiscriminate breeding, prevent certain genital diseases, and produce a leaner neck for work animals. Castration is ideally performed during the cold season, avoiding the rainy season.
Ideal Age for Castration: Young animals (under 3 months old) use surgical or elastrator methods; adult animals (within a year old) use the closed Burdizzo method.

Cattle Transport

Wagon Space Requirements: Wagons must provide at least 2 square meters of space per cattle.
Loading Procedures: Cattle must be properly fed and watered and loaded; pregnant cattle mustn't be mixed with young cattle to prevent stampedes. Rations (straw, etc.) must be adequate and strategically placed in the wagons.
Ventilation: Wagons must ensure adequate ventilation.
Wagon Capacity: Ordinary wagons have specific load limits (different for broad, meter, and narrow gauges) based on the size of the animal load.
Attendants: An attendant is mandatory in each cattle-carrying wagon.

Livestock Feed and Management

Organic Livestock Feed: Feed must be organically produced (including animal byproducts).
Organic Farmland Requirements: Farmland must be managed organically for at least 36 months.
Living Conditions: Organic livestock producers must provide adequate living space, access to outdoors, shade, shelter, fresh air, sunlight, and pasture (for ruminants).
Waste Management: Manure must be managed to prevent contamination of crops, soil, or water and to maximize nutrient recycling.
Preventive Healthcare: Health practices need to prevent animal stress, parasites, diseases, and ensure appropriate species and breeds choice, and adequate nutrition.

Types of Roofs

Lean-to: A single-slope roof for sheds, with limitations on ventilation.
Gable: A coupled roof with two slopes and an option for ridge ventilation.
Monitor: Two-sloped roof, one overlapping with ridge ventilation. Best for tropical conditions.
Semi-Monitor: Two-sloped roof, one overlapping with ridge ventilation; similar use cases to monitor.
Gothic Arch: An arched roof providing extra space and suitable for stores and pig sheds.

Animal Housing Design

Flexibility: Animal housing should be designed to allow for future enterprise changes.
Roof Shape: Gable with ventilators in hot climates, and monitor for smaller buildings.
Building Width Standards: Specifies standard widths for different animal housed.

Summary of Animal Population Trends

Declining indigenous cattle populations (1.18% decline)
Declining male cattle populations.
Positive population growth in poultry (5.85%), dogs (2.2%), buffalo (1.4%), sheep (1.12%), goats (0.22%), and pigs (0.28%).

Agriculture and Livestock Sectors

Agriculture employs 58% of the population, contributes 17% of India's GDP.
Animal husbandry (livestock+fisheries) is a sub-sector, contributing 5% of GDP.
Livestock sector growth (4-6% annually) exceeds that of the broader agricultural sector, which is often stagnant. Poultry sector presents the most significant growth (sometimes exceeding 12%).
Livestock provides crucial services to farmers, including draught power, manure, cooking fuel, household consumption, and contribution to both the domestic and foreign market. Manure production ranges around 800 million tons annually (300 million tons for fuel, rest for crop benefit).

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Description

Test your knowledge about the livestock population and its significance in India! This quiz covers various aspects such as buffaloes, cattle, poultry growth rates, and the economic contributions of livestock. Dive into the statistics and insights to enhance your understanding of this vital sector.