VETERINARY COLLEGE AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, UDUMALPET

The Livestock Farm Complex (LFC) has been established as a part of Veterinary College and Research Institute, Udumalpet with the objective to provide quality education, research and extension services to the B.V.Sc & A.H. undergraduate students. In compliance with the Minimum Standard of Veterinary Education (MSVE 2016) of Veterinary Council of India, to demonstrate Animal Production techniques, the Livestock Farm and Fodder Production Unit comprises of Cattle shed (2 Nos.), Poultry Shed (2 Nos.), Sheep and Goat shed, Horse stable and Piggery shed to accommodate the required numbers of the respective species.

As per Veterinary Council of India under MSVE Regulations (2016), the following course is being offered to the III Professional year students of B.V.Sc. & A.H.

A modern dairy farm unit is functioning with 38 crossbred Jersey cows, and 4 buffaloes. Average daily milk production is around 100 litres, average milk yield per animal is 7.85 litres. Milking is done hygienically in a semi-automatic milking machine and the milk produced is supplied to Tamil Nadu Milk Producer Cooperative Union Ltd (Aavin), staff of this college and to various departments at a reasonable cost. The dairy animals are vaccinated against Foot and Mouth Disease (once in 6 months).

The sheep unit has Mecheri breed of sheep. At present, 40 sheep are being maintained. These animals are reared under semi-intensive system of grazing (2 - 3 hours per day) and supplemented with roughage and 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 28 Salem Black goats are being maintained. Goats are reared under semi-intensive system of grazing (2-3 hours per day) with roughage and 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.

This unit consist of a commercial broiler house for rearing up to 1000 broilers in all-in all-out system management under deep litter condition and a layer house for rearing up to 1000 layers in deep litter and cage system of management. Japanese quail brooder cum grower unit is maintained in the same layer shed with 250 No’s of Japanese quails with cage and nipple drinking system. Pure breeds like Rhode Island Red, Australorp, Kadaknath, Silke and Bantom are maintained for instructional purpose. Namakkal Chicken (dual purpose synthetic strain) is also maintained in the layer shed.

The swine unit consists of Large White Yorkshire (LWY) pigs (4 breedable females and two males and 22 piglets). Pigs are fed with concentrate feed. Hand mating is practiced. Piglets are weaned at 56th day after farrowing and sold to progressive farmers / nearby institutes. The pigs are vaccinated against swine fever and FMD (Foot and mouth disease).

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 (6 acres) and rain-fed in an area of six acres. Establishment of farm ponds, strengthening and deepening of percolation ponds, water conservation works were carried out in this campus. Establishment of ornamental trees and tree fodders were maintained in the campus.

LFC is being utilized as a resource centre for the faculty and practising veterinarians, farmers, students from school and other colleges from neighbouring areas including Kerala.