VETERINARY COLLEGE AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, NAMAKKAL

The livestock farm complex has been created by merging the Department of Agronomy and Livestock farm of Department of Livestock Production Management and is functioning from 01.04.2013.

A modern dairy farm unit is functioning with 39 crossbred Jersey cows, and 10 buffaloes. Average daily milk production is around 110 litres, average milk yield per animal is 7.51 litres and average peak yield is 15.32 litre/day/animal. Milking is done hygienically in a modern Herringbone milking parlour and the milk produced is supplied to the students’ hostel, college cafeteria, staff of this college and to various departments at a reasonable cost. A separate calf unit and heifer unit is functioning in this section. The dairy animals are vaccinated against Foot and Mouth Disease (once in 6 months).

The sheep unit has Mecheri breed of sheep. At present, 101 sheep are being maintained and the total unit is functioning as self-sustained unit under University self-financing scheme (Commercial sheep rearing). These animals are reared under semi intensive system of grazing (6 - 8 hours per day) and supplemented with concentrate feed. These animals are vaccinated against Enterotoxaemia, FMD, PPR, Blue tongue, Sheep pox and periodically dewormed with broad spectrum anthelmintic (based on the faecal egg count). Dipping is done twice in a year (March and September month). Flock mating is practiced and there are two breeding seasons (major September to October and minor March to April month). Lambs are weaned at 3 months of age.

The goat unit has Salem Black breed of goat. At present 71 Salem Black goats are being maintained and this unit is functioning under University revolving fund scheme (Commercial goat rearing). Goats are reared under semi intensive system of grazing (6-8 hours per day) with concentrate supplementation. Periodical vaccination is carried out against Enterotoxaemia, FMD (Foot and mouth disease), PPR, Blue tongue diseases and periodically dewormed with broad spectrum anthelmintic (based on the faecal egg count). Kids are weaned at 3 months of age. Dipping is done twice in a year (March and September month). Pen mating is practiced.

The swine unit consists of Large White Yorkshire (LWY) (14 breedable female and three male) pigs. Pigs are fed with concentrate feed. Hand mating is practiced. Piglets are weaned at 42nd day after farrowing and sold to progressive farmers. The pigs are vaccinated against swine fever and FMD (Foot and mouth disease). Surplus male pigs are fattened and supplied to Department of Livestock Products Technology (Meat Science) of this institute for meat Purpose.

A modern rabbitary on elevated platform cage house is first of its kind in India, is functioning with two breeds of rabbit viz., White Giant (52 numbers) and Soviet Chinchilla (69 numbers). Hand mating is practiced; bunnies are weaned at 42nd day. Growers are sold after 2 months of age. Rabbits are fed with concentrate feed in the morning and green fodder hedge lucerne (Desmanthus virgatus), muyalmasal (Stylosanthus sp.) and subabul (Luceana leucocephala) in the evening. Research on productive, reproductive performance and health related issues of rabbits has been studied and reported in peer reviewed journals.

Two thoroughbred horses are maintained for the purpose of teaching under graduate students about handling and management of horses.

Agricultural section of this unit is a major section which is involved in cultivation of fodder under irrigation (10 acres) and rain-fed in an area of 30 acres. A self - financing scheme on "Production and sale of fodder seeds and slips" is in progress to supply fodder seed and slip to the progressive farmers and needy departments. In addition to this, various agro-forestry models were established and maintained by this section for grazing of farm animals’ viz., cattle, buffalo, sheep and goat. Establishment of farm ponds, strengthening and deepening of percolation ponds, water conservation works were carried out in this campus with the help of state sponsored part II scheme on "Establishment of forage farm (10 lakhs)". Establishment of lawns, durantha and casuarina hedges, ornamental plants and plantation trees were maintained in the college campus as close as possible to natural environment is another major task of this unit.