Civil Service Examinations - Questions and Answers - 2 | Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Q11: Write short notes on the Interdependence of agriculture and livestock farming.
Ans:

• Animal production constitutes a crucial aspect of agriculture, as animals serve as efficient mechanisms for converting various crops into essential food products such as meat, milk, silk, and eggs, serving as primary sources of animal protein. Livestock also contributes valuable manure, which plays a vital role in maintaining soil fertility. Additionally, cattle and bullocks are essential for ploughing and transporting agricultural produce.
• In many countries, particularly those facing food shortages, large expanses of land unsuitable for food crop production can be utilized for cultivating forages directly consumed by animals. For example, approximately 25% of total land in America is dedicated to permanent meadows and pastures, with similar figures for Africa (28%), Europe (28%), the USA (18%), and the former USSR (17%).
• Dairy cattle are particularly effective at converting feed protein into food protein, with high-producing cows achieving a conversion rate of over 50%. Livestock enterprises complement crop production programs, fostering a balanced and productive farming system. Through mixed farming, where both agriculture and animal husbandry are integrated, the labor requirements for both enterprises can be managed by the same workforce or with minimal additional labor. This approach encourages intensive cultivation, leading to higher profits per unit of resources. It also enables better utilization of agricultural byproducts and increased income from land holdings. Additionally, there is a consistent and widespread availability of employment opportunities throughout the year. The entire farmer's family can contribute to these activities, ensuring maximum returns. Livestock income becomes crucial during periods of crop failure, highlighting the interdependence of agriculture and livestock farming.

Q12: Write short notes on the following in about 200 words. Essential features of practical and economical feeding of dairy cows.
Ans: 

• When determining the diet for dairy cows, it is essential to consider both maintenance and production requirements. Additionally, adjustments and inclusions in the rations should be based on factors such as lactation stage, milk composition, quality, and environmental stress. During lactation, a cow allocates her feed between milk production and maintenance. The peak yield period is particularly critical, as even a slight reduction of 1 kg of milk can significantly impact the total output by 180-200 liters. The success of peak yield days and maintaining yield levels is contingent on proper feeding during the pre and post-calving periods.
• In the initial days of lactation, when feed intake and assimilation are low, dairy cows heavily rely on readily available body reserves to achieve maximum peak yield. The constituents of the ration have a notable influence on milk fat content and somatic cell count (SCC). Maintaining an optimum level of nutrition is crucial for fertility. To develop an economical and viable feeding program for dairy cows, it is necessary to integrate nutritional principles, consider economic factors, and account for labor and capital investments.
• While nutrient requirements can be tailored for different production levels, feeding programs must be adjusted to accommodate various types of feed and fodder available in different regions. A balanced ration is essential, typically consisting of 1/3rd concentrates and 2/3rd roughages in the feed's dry matter. High-quality forages can supply sufficient nutrients for up to 7-10 kg of milk without additional concentrate supplementation. Adding a small quantity of dry fodder can be advantageous. Cows producing more than 10 kg of milk should receive energy-rich concentrates and minerals, especially when combined with legumes. For animals producing over 15 kg of milk per day, a higher proportion of concentrates is recommended.

Q13: Write short notes on the following in about 200 words. Feeding of animals under drought conditions.
Ans: 

• During drought, the transportation of feed and fodder to affected areas becomes challenging, even though grains may still be transported for human consumption. Unfortunately, the livestock population often becomes the primary victim under these unfavorable conditions. In such circumstances, drought-resistant vegetation, combined with non-protein nitrogen (NPN) sources and molasses for energy, can be utilized. Certain varieties of tree leaves and cakes from inedible oilseeds can help meet the essential protein requirements in ruminants.
• Drought-resistant vegetation such as Kena, nuts, lemongrass, and gokkru, commonly grown in our country, is used for cattle fodder. Kans and more can be fed while green, or they can be conserved as hay or silage. Spent lemongrass from the lemongrass industry can be combined with wheat bran, groundnut cake, molasses, urea, mineral mixture, and salt to formulate a feed for cattle during scarcity.
• Grows wild, especially during monsoon periods in most areas, regardless of man-made influences. This is augmented by the inclusion of large varieties of plant materials such as tea leaves, spirals, weeds, and grass conventionally used in livestock feed during scarcity periods. Different types of leaves are employed as conventional roughages for cattle and buffaloes, while others are suitable for sheep and goats.
• Pipal, Bamba, Mulberry, and Tapiers are among the fodder trees whose leaves can be harvested and fed to livestock. Shrubs like Beri, Acacia, Bakayan, and Kherjes also serve as good fodder for sheep, goats, and camels, and can be fed to other livestock during drought conditions.
• Conventional roughages like stalks of wheat, paddy, and rag, available from previous crops and stored after treatment with one percent urea and fortified with 0.5 percent mineral mixture and one percent salt, can be fed to cattle. Bagasse can be utilized as roughage after proper treatment, and rice husk can also be included as part of the total ration during scarcity periods.
• Agro-industrial by-products, including Mahuva cake, Safflower seed cake, Neem seed cake, distillery waste, Tapioca waste, Molasses Presanud, Molasses waste, and seaweeds, can also be utilized.

Q14: Concerning goat keeping
(a) Write a detailed note on the goat as a producer of milk, meat and fiber.
Ans: 

• Goats serve as producers of milk, meat, and fiber, with specialized breeds developed for specific purposes. It is possible to focus on creating dairy-type goats, meat-type goats, or dual-purpose breeds, with the latter being particularly desirable in India. In the Himalayan region, goats are also raised for hair fibers, exemplified by the Kashmir or Pashmina goat, known for its fine hair used in shawl manufacturing. In contrast, goats from other regions produce coarser hair used in carpet making. Goat skins are also a valuable commodity in the country.
• Breeding techniques play a crucial role in improving the characteristics of goats, and India boasts several well-developed breeds. Through production recording, selection, and selective breeding, continuous efforts are made to enhance the potential of these breeds. Breeds like Jamnapari and Betal are promising, especially for upgrading non-descript stock in other regions. Jamnapari, in particular, is extensively used to improve local stocks not only in India but also in several other Asian countries, resulting in progeny with improved growth performance and milk production.
• Synthetic breeds are another avenue, achieved through crossbreeding different goat breeds. The Anglo-Nubian breed, resulting from a cross between Nubian and Jamnapari, stands out as a successful example. European dairy goat breeds like Saanen, Toggenburg, and Alpine have also been experimented with for crossbreeding with indigenous breeds in India and other tropical countries.
• In terms of all-around performance, the Anglo-Nubian is considered the best, producing an average of one liter of milk per day with a lactation length of around 250 days. Saanen and British Alpine are also deemed suitable for tropical regions with good feed resources, particularly in sub-tropical areas.
• The Black Bengal breed, including its variant, the Brown Bengal, is known for its meat quality, though they are small in size, yielding ten kilos or less of meat. Well-suited for more humid regions, such as the eastern and northeastern states, the effectiveness of introducing this breed's genetics to improve meat quality in others is still under investigation.
• Angora goats, originating from central China, produce Mohair, a high-quality fiber that grows at an average length of 12 cm in long, lustrous white locks. These goats are successfully raised in hilly regions of the country for Mohair production.
• Pashmina goats are found in the Uttarakhand region of Uttar Pradesh, producing Pashmina fibers used in shawl manufacturing. The Lah breed of Jam and Kasher, also in higher altitudes, contributes to the production of Pashmina fibers.

 (b) Salient features of feeding and care of kids
Ans: 

• Allowing kids to suckle their dams for the initial five days is crucial to receive colostrum. After this period, kids may gradually transition to whole milk, starting at a rate of 1/6th of their body weight for the first three days. It is advisable to wean the kids and introduce the prescribed amount of milk from a pail or feeding bottle in equal installments. During the second month, the quantity of milk can be reduced to 1/5th of their body weight, and further decreased to 1/10th to 1/18th during the third month.
• Starting from the second week, a palatable and easily digestible concentrate mixture, with a composition of 20-21% DCP and 70% TUN, along with good-quality fodder, can be introduced as a starter ration. As the kids consume more concentrates, the milk ration can be adjusted accordingly. By the end of the third month, milk feeding can be completely discontinued.

The composition of two common starter rations is provided below.

The feeding of growing kids can be managed through different systems. In an intensive system, kids tend to grow rapidly, gaining weight quickly. In a semi-intensive system, the growth rate is intermediate. In a free-grazing system, although weight gain is lower, it is found to be economical. When free-grazing is available, the diet can be supplemented with leguminous crops like lucerne or clover.

Care for Kids: Lambs or kids, from the point of weaning until they reach maturity, are accommodated in a kid shed, with a recommended density of 75 animals per shed. By using suitable partitions within a larger shed, unweaned, weaned but immature, and kids approaching maturity can be housed separately. On larger farms, it may be practical to construct three distinct sheds to accommodate these three categories of kids.

(c) State how the feed and feeding habits of goats differ from other farm animals.
Ans:

• Goats exhibit distinctive feeding habits that set them apart from other ruminants. Their mobile upper lip and highly prehensile tongue enable them to graze on very short grass and browse on foliage not commonly consumed by other livestock. In extensive conditions, goats play a valuable role in converting otherwise unusable browse plants into milk and meat. This unique feeding behavior allows goats to meet their nutrient requirements even in adverse feeding conditions where the quality and quantity of available feed are insufficient for other species. Goats stand on their hind limbs to pluck tender leaves, pods, and berries, consuming any part of small plants.
• In semi-intensive conditions, supplementing grazing with harvested green fodder and concentrates becomes necessary. Under intensive confinement systems, all roughages and concentrates must be provided. The amount of feed depends on factors such as body weight, age, physiological status, and milk yield. Approximately two-thirds of the energy requirements for mature goats should come from roughages, with half of these being leguminous (such as guar, lucerne, berseem, peas, or hay made from these), and the rest from green grass. Alternatively, tender tree leaves can be offered to goats, a feeding practice distinct from other farm animals. Preventing goats from roaming freely is crucial to avoid damage to trees and crops.
• Goats are recognized for their efficient conversion of fibrous feeds into high-biological-value foods like chevon and milk. While goats can utilize coarse fibrous feeds, minimizing energy losses in heat production and digestion processes is essential for efficient production and maximizing returns in the form of meat and milk.
• Goats benefit from a slightly higher level of protein in their diet, and the daily feed allowance should be split and given 3 to 4 times due to their small stomach capacity. Goats are known for their around-the-clock eating habits. While oil cakes should be avoided whenever possible, gram alone is considered the best feed. Urea can also be utilized as a source of dietary nitrogen, constituting 30 to 40 percent of the total protein requirement.

Q15: Write short notes on:
Subabool and Khejri as fodder
Ans: 

• Subabool, also known as Koobabool, is a fodder tree that thrives at elevations up to 800 meters above sea level. It flourishes in well-drained deep soils with a rainfall range of 750 to 800 mm and in neutral to alkaline soils with a pH up to 8.5, rich in calcium and phosphorus. Once planted, Subabool remains viable for 60 to 70 years. Originally from Central and South America, it has been introduced in India and proves to be a boon for goat farming areas due to its richness in protein. Additionally, it serves as a valuable source of fuel and timber when grown and dried.
• High-quality forage from Subabool contains 20 to 25 percent crude protein and 30 to 33 percent dry matter. Yields can reach up to 100 tonnes per hectare in 7 to 8 cuttings. The first cutting can be obtained within 5 to 7 months after sowing the seeds when the plant attains a height of 2 to 2.25 meters. Subsequent cuttings can be made at 40 to 60-day intervals. To ensure the well-being of goats, it is considered safe to provide them with 3.9 kg of dry matter per 100 kg of body weight. Caution should be exercised, as mimosine toxicity can occur if the greens are consumed in excess.
• For effective cropping, Subabool should be planted 1.5 meters apart, and when the plants reach a height of 1 meter, guinea grass strips should be planted in between. Various grasses like guinea grass, sweet sudan, maize, jowar, bajra, and catta can be intercropped with Subabool. Establishing one hectare of fodder requires 8 to 12 kg of seeds, and it has the potential to produce 400 tonnes of wood.

Q16: "Consumer's price of milk is related to cost of production of milk." Commen. pon the statement. Discuss the factors affecting the cost of production of milk. Suggest measures to reduce the cost of milk production on an average-sized cow firm.
Ans:

• The components constituting the cost of milk production include feed, labor, capital cost of animals, cost of technical inputs, depreciation of animals and other capital investments, interest on capital investment, and other miscellaneous recurring expenditures.
• Feed is the primary cost component of milk production, making up 50 to 75 percent of the total costs. The feed composition may include green fodder, dry fodder, concentrates, and balanced feed. Even if some of these are obtained at no cost, they should still be considered in cost calculations. It is crucial to account for the feed given to the animal both during milking and the dry period. Maximizing the use of greens and agricultural by-products for balanced feed can help reduce costs. Growing fodder on the farm is encouraged, and the emphasis should be on maximizing fodder and minimizing concentrates.
• Human labor is another significant cost item that is challenging to assess in rural areas due to family members performing various tasks. Estimating the time spent by different individuals allows for a calculation of labor costs. Investment in housing adds to the capital cost, and efforts should be made to use locally available materials to minimize this expense.
• Investment in milch animals is another crucial factor, considering the cost of feed, labor, supervision, veterinary aid, and miscellaneous items. Technical inputs like artificial insemination services, depreciation on animals, and interest on capital investment also contribute to the overall cost. Other miscellaneous recurring expenditures are added to arrive at the gross cost. Deducting income from sources other than milk, such as dung, provides the net cost.
• Reducing the cost of milk production can be achieved through increased milk production per animal. Appropriate breeding policies, such as crossbreeding indigenous cows with exotic bulls, encouraging indigenous milch breeds, and developing them for higher yields, play a role in this effort. Facilities for artificial insemination and veterinary aid should be easily accessible to farmers. Affordable pens and fodder should be made available, and the production of green fodder should be encouraged.
• Support for calf rearing, periodic vaccination against contagious diseases, and encouragement of cattle insurance are additional measures to reduce costs. Proper marketing practices are crucial for improving milk production, including procuring milk at the farmer's house or nearby, year-round. The formation of milk producers' cooperatives at the village level can help streamline these efforts and avoid middlemen, ensuring a fair pricing policy for milk.

Q17: Write short notes on:
Feeding Records
Ans: 

• The primary cause of loss and a significant obstacle to profitability in maintaining a dairy herd is the failure to feed cows according to their requirements. Keeping daily records of individual cow production enables the precise provision of the required amount of food for each cow. Additionally, maintaining a record of the feed given to each cow allows for the assessment of the overall herd's profitability and identifies the best-performing cows versus those causing losses. This practice helps identify inefficient yielders, cull them from the herd, prioritize care for high-performing animals, and focus on raising offspring from them.
• High milk yield alone does not guarantee high profit; it must be proportionate to the feed consumed. The goal is to achieve maximum net profit, calculated as the cost of milk sold minus the feed cost. Accurate feeding records are crucial for identifying and achieving this balance on a dairy farm.
• Feed record blanks are available from dairy equipment suppliers or can be created by individual dairy farmers. These sheets, designated for the current month, can be stored in a glass case or attached to a board with drawing pins, protected by transparent material on both sides to prevent soiling.
• While the specifics of feed records may be adapted based on herd size, types of animals (bulls, calves, etc.), and available resources, the underlying principles of maintaining feeding records remain constant. For instance, uniform rations may allow for dispensing with individual records for dry or pregnant animals, but maintaining such records for milch cows, dry cows, pregnant cows, young stock, and breeding bulls proves beneficial for providing precise and economical feed for each animal.

Q18:  Discuss the capital, land, buildings, equipment and manpower required for starting a dairy farm with 100 adult cows, How will you ensure green fodder supply to the above farm throughout the year?
Ans: 

• The capital and land requirements are contingent on the farm size and the products generated. For a medium-sized farm with 100 animals in Indian conditions, including crossbred cows, Jersey crossbred for hot humid regions, and other crossbred varieties like Holsteins for cooler areas, the total farm strength, including calves and heifers, averages around 200.
• A total of 20 hectares of land is required for farm buildings and growing fodder. This includes 10 hectares for irrigated fodder crops like maize, legumes, and guinea grass, and 9 hectares for rainfed crops. One hectare is allocated for cattle byres and other dairy buildings.

The necessary buildings for proper housing of different dairy stock classes are as follows:

• Cow houses or shade
• Calving box
• Isolation box
• Sheds for young stock
• Bull or bullock shed

A double-row arrangement is recommended for cow sheds, housing 80 to 100 cows in one building, with a floor space of 60 sq. feet per adult cow. Calving boxes, isolation boxes, and sheds for young stock are designed to provide appropriate accommodations for pregnant cows, animals suffering from infectious diseases, and young calves, respectively. Bull or bullock sheds are provided for bulls with a loose box dimension of 16 by 10 ft.

• Selecting underdeveloped land away from towns, leasing initially, and fencing the entire farm is advised. Two borewells and an open well are needed for water requirements. Agricultural equipment such as a tractor, harvester, trailer, plough, cultivator, and chaff-cutter, along with a diesel van for transport, chains, milking pails, milk cans, and other equipment, are required. A gobar gas plant may be installed for lighting, and the necessary manpower includes roles like manager, assistant manager, field personnel, drivers, attenders, milkmen, watchmen, call boys, and casual laborers.
• Feed and fodder requirements are crucial, with estimated annual production of green and dry fodder from the farm being 1000 tonnes and 300 tonnes, respectively. While the farm can meet the fodder needs, concentrate feed must be sourced externally.
• Profitable dairying necessitates a year-round supply of green fodder. Different forage cropping systems are recommended for Northern India, Central and Western India, Eastern India, and Southern India. A relay cropping system can be implemented to supply green fodder to 10 animals throughout the year on one hectare of land, addressing seasonal fodder production challenges and bridging periods of scarcity.

Q19: Compare dairying under mixed farming and dairying under Specialized farming. Which one of these is best suited to an average Indian farmer and why?
Ans: 

• Dairying in Mixed Farming and Specialized Farming Before we compare dairying under mixed farming and specialized farming, it is essential to clearly understand the concept of mixed farming. Various agricultural economists have provided definitions, but they generally agree that mixed farming involves combining multiple independent enterprises, resulting in some degree of diversification. In India, mixed farming typically refers to integrating arable farming with livestock raising for milk production. Economists categorize a farm as mixed only if at least ten percent of gross income is contributed by livestock, with this contribution not exceeding 49 percent. Lavania (1963) emphasized that, under Indian conditions, mixed farming essentially translates to dairying combined with agriculture. This impression is reinforced by observing organizations like the Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers Union in Anand, where dairy animals are present in the overall holdings, a trend seen across the country. Given the seasonal and sometimes uncertain nature of agricultural income, dairy farming often plays a significant role in mixed farming systems.
• It has been observed that incorporating dairy into mixed farming leads to better coordination and increased profits through milk and crop production compared to other combinations. Estimates suggest that if the annual average net income from agriculture alone was Rs. 870 for a particular unit, combining agriculture with dairy farming raised the income to Rs. 900. In contrast, combining agriculture with other enterprises like poultry and sericulture only increased the income to Rs. 1,000 for that unit. This highlights the profitability of mixed farming with dairy. Additionally, there is a consistent income stream through milk, providing employment opportunities throughout the year and allowing better utilization of agricultural by-products. Cow dung and urine contribute to soil fertility, enhancing overall production. Mixed farming also offers flexibility in utilizing cash flow and mitigating losses in one enterprise by gains in another. In the event of crop failure, agricultural waste can be fed to livestock under mixed farming conditions. Considering the average landholding of Indian farmers and their dependence on monsoon rain, regular income cannot rely solely on agriculture, making dairy farming a preferred alternative.
• To summarize, the advantages of mixed farming include efficient land and labor use, utilization of grasses and crop by-products for meat production, a regular year-round income, improved family nutrition, and the provision of draft animals to the farm. However, a notable disadvantage is the marketing challenge as mixed farms are often located far from cities, necessitating selling milk to middlemen at lower rates. Additionally, the primary focus tends to be on agriculture, with dairy being secondary in mixed farming.
• On the other hand, specialized farming involves exclusively focusing on dairy farming activities. This includes breeding and selling dairy animals, raising calves, and milk production. Milk may be sold to larger dairies or processed on the farm itself to produce dairy products like butter, ghee, and cheese, depending on the farm's size and milk production. Specialized dairy farms are typically located near big towns or cities, where land may be scarce, requiring the purchase of grass and other feed items, thereby raising production costs. However, some specialized dairy farms away from urban areas may have sufficient land for raising fodder for cows, reducing the need to purchase feed. While these farms may face higher feed costs, they can offset them by selling milk directly in nearby cities at higher rates. In specialized dairy farms near cities, buffaloes are often maintained as buffalo milk is in great demand for hotels and canteens, commanding higher prices.
• Despite the advantages of specialized farming, such as the potential for higher income, there are notable disadvantages. Large investments are required due to the need to purchase more cows or buffaloes, and the high cost of land near cities. The income may not match the investment unless the farm raises its fodder. The sanitation and health conditions of cows or buffaloes maintained near towns and cities are often subpar, with animals sometimes being slaughtered once they go dry instead of being bred again, hindering improvement.
• In summary, both types of dairying have their merits and demerits, which largely depend on their locations. Specialized farming is more suitable for temperate climates with abundant pastures, making it a preferable choice for dairy farming. However, such conditions are rare in India, and specialized farming may only be practical for larger entrepreneurs near urban areas. The scope for specialized dairy farms lies around suburban areas of cities. However, large-scale specialized dairy farms, as seen in advanced countries, may not be practicable due to the average Indian landholding being less than two hectares. In contrast, mixed farming, more of a family concern, is labor-oriented and plays a crucial role in meeting the majority of India's milk needs. It aligns well with the country's demographics, where people predominantly reside in villages with small landholdings, limited pastures, a large human population, and agriculture alone cannot provide regular and assured income throughout the year. Having a few cows or buffaloes in mixed farming provides regular employment for the family or labor, ensuring income throughout the year. Ultimately, specialized dairy farming is more suitable for advanced countries with large landholdings and lower population density, while dairying under mixed farming is better suited to a densely populated country like India, where small landholdings are the norm.

Q20: Write short notes on the following in about 200 words.
Management schedule of a farmer, having two acres of land for Sustenance through an Animal Husbandry program in drought-prone.
Ans: 

• In a drought-prone area with a mere two-acre holding, the farmer's options for cultivation are limited to dry crops. Due to the unreliable nature of rainfall, which may not occur every year, the farmer cannot solely depend on agriculture for sustenance. Hence, he must explore alternative sources of revenue, and livestock farming, particularly dairy farming, emerges as the most suitable subsidiary occupation for a marginal farmer in such conditions. Dairy farming provides a consistent supplementary income and offers gainful employment.
• Raising dairy cattle on small landholdings in drought-prone rural areas, alongside primary cereal production, creates employment opportunities and significantly contributes to domestic income. This can be a valuable occupation for women as well. The choice between cattle and buffaloes depends on the proximity of the area to the city. If a milk producers' cooperative exists in the region, the farmer can become a member, ensuring a regular market and access to financial and technical support, such as subsidies for purchasing cows, concessional interest loans from banks, veterinary aid, and artificial insemination services. Quality feed can be obtained at a no-profit-no-loss basis.
• Maintaining one or two dairy cow units, preferably crossbred cows, is a viable option. The cows can be housed under semi-stall-fed conditions with a medium roughage ration obtained from cultivated crops. Grazing can be allowed when available, and concentrate feed may be provided based on milk production. Housing can be constructed with a katcha structure of 50 sq. ft. with a pucca floor. The capital investment, totaling Rs. 10,000 (including cow cost, housing, and equipment), can receive a 25% subsidy for small farmers. An average of 8 liters of milk per cow can be sold to the cooperative society at approximately Rs. 8 per liter, yielding about Rs. 1,920 per month in the village itself. Since the farmer provides cereal roughage and labor, only the cost of concentrates (around Rs. 500 per month) needs to be considered. This translates to a net profit of about Rs. 1,000 after paying bank installments of Rs. 300 towards the loan. A two-cow unit can generate a little over Rs. 2,000 per month, in addition to obtaining manure for the lands. The sale of calves or heifers provides additional income. Alternatively, a buffalo, either in place of or in addition to cows, can be maintained.
• While maintaining a sheep unit, goat unit, or poultry unit may be considered depending on the area, a dairy unit stands out as an ideal choice that can be successfully maintained in any drought-prone region.