Animal Husbandry and Dairy Management
Animal Husbandry and Dairy Management tests breed recognition, feeding, reproduction and clean milk production, with heavy weight on Rajasthan's native livestock.
Breeds
- Cattle: Rathi, Tharparkar, Gir, Sahiwal, Kankrej, Nagori.
- Buffalo: Murrah, Surti, Mehsana, Jaffarabadi, Bhadawari.
- Sheep: Chokla, Magra, Marwari, Sonadi, Jaisalmeri. Goat: Sirohi, Marwari, Jamunapari, Barbari.
- Camel: Bikaneri, Jaisalmeri, Nachna. Poultry: Aseel, Kadaknath.
Feeding and reproduction
A balanced ration supplies energy (TDN), protein (DCP), minerals and vitamins; roughage plus concentrate in correct proportion. Colostrum must be fed within one hour of birth. Oestrus cycle: about 21 days in cattle and buffalo. Gestation: roughly 280–285 days in cattle, 305–310 days in buffalo. Inseminate about 12 hours after heat is detected.
Clean milk production
Wash the udder, discard the first strips, use stainless steel utensils, strain and cool the milk promptly, and keep the milk shed fly-free.
Worked example
A cow yields 8 L per day sold at ₹40/L = ₹320. Feed cost ₹200 and other costs ₹40. Net profit = 320 − 240 = ₹80 per day, and cost of production = 240 ÷ 8 = ₹30 per litre. A candidate who forgets the other costs reports a false profit of ₹120.
Traps that cost marks
Using cattle gestation for buffalo; delaying colostrum; interchanging TDN and DCP; omitting miscellaneous costs in economics questions.