VETERINARY COLLEGE AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, NAMAKKAL

Different units of farm

The Instructional Livestock farm Complex consist of seven sections:

• Dairy unit
• Sheep unit (Mecheri)
• Goat unit (Tellicherry, Jamnapari, Salem black)
• Swine unit (Large White Yorkshire, Duroc)
• Rabbit unit (White Giant and Soviet Chinchilla)
• Horse unit
• Agronomy unit

• Selling price of breeding stock and seed materials
• Achievements
• Faculty
• Contact

Dairy Unit

A modern dairy farm unit is functioning with 30 crossbred Jersey and Holstein Friesian cows. In addition to this one Kangayam bull and two cows are being maintained for teaching purpose. Average dairy milk production is around 150 liters, average milk yieldper animal is 9.45 liters and average peak yield is 15.05 liters/day/animal. Machine milking is practiced and the milk produced is supplied to staff of this college and to various departments at reasonable cost. As a demonstration unit a modern Herringbone milking parlour is functioning in this unit with a capacity to milk 4 animals at a time. A separate calf unit and heifer unit is functioning in this section. The dairy animals are vaccinated against Hemorrhagic septicemia (annual), Foot and Mouth Disease (once in 4 months). Form the total 508.15 acres of farm area, 350 acres of pasture land (native grasses and legumes) grown is utilized for grazing farm livestock in different monsoon seasons.

Productive and reproductive performances of dairy cattle in ILFC, VCRI, Namakkal

Sheep Unit

The sheep unit maintains Mecheri breed of sheep, at present48 sheep are maintained and total unit is functioning as self-sustained unit as University revolving fund scheme (Commercial sheep production). Apart from this, two Trichy black sheep also maintained for instructional purpose. These animals are vaccinated against Enterotoxaemia, FMD, PPR, Bluetongue and periodically dewormed with broad spectrum anthelminthetics. Dipping is done twice in a year (March and September months). Flock mating is practiced and there is two breeding seasons (major September to October and minor March to April months). These animals are supplemented with concentrate feed during morning hours followed by 8 hours of grazing.

Productive and reproductive performances of Mecheri Sheep in ILFC, VCRI, Namakkal

Goat Unit

In this section, three breeds of goats are being maintained viz., Tellicherry (91), Salem black (35) and Jamnapari (13). Goats are reared under semi intensive system of grazing (8 hours per day)with concentrate supplementation. ETV, FMD (foot and mouth disease), PPR, Bluetongue are the periodical vaccination practices. Kits are weaned at 3 months of age. Dipping is done twice in a year (March and September months).Pen mating is practices.

Productive and reproductive performances of Tellicherry Goat in ILFC, VCRI, Namakkal

Swine Unit

The swine unit consist of Large White Yorkshire (LWY) (23), Duroc (10) pigs and an experiential learning programme LWY on "Commercial pig rearing" is in progress with the sponsorship of ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research), New Delhi (22.0 lakhs). Main objective is to give training to under graduate students. Piglets are weaned at 56th day and sold to progressive farmers. The pigs are vaccinated against classical swine fever and FMD (foot and mouth disease), regularly. Pigs are fed with concentrate feed, hand mating is practiced. Surplus male pigs are castrated, fattened and supplied to Department of Meat Science and Technology of this Institute.

Productive and reproductive performances of Large White Yorkshire Pigs in ILFC, VCRI, Namakkal

Rabbit Unit

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 (79 numbers) and Soviet Chinchilla (81 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), muyal masal (Stylosanthus sp.) and subabul (Luceanaleucocephala) in the evening. Research on productive, reproductive performance and health related issues of rabbit has been studied and reported in peer reviewed journals.

Productive and reproductive performances of Rabbits in ILFC, VCRI, Namakkal

Equine Unit

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

Agronomy Unit

Agricultural section of this unit is another major unit which involved in cultivation of fodder under irrigation (10 acres) and rain fed in an area of 30 acres. A self-sustained revolving fund scheme on "Production and sale of fodder seeds and slips" is in progress to supply fodder seed materials to progressive farmers. In addition to this, various agro-forestry models were established and maintained by this section. 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 casurina hedges, ornamental plants and plantationtrees, were maintained in the college campus as close as possible to natural environment is another major task of this unit.

• Crops like Cumbu Napier hybrid (CO 3 and CO 4) - 5.50 acres, COFS - 29 (Fodder Sorghum) - 1.50 acres, guinea grass - 2.5 acres and Hedge Lucerne - 1.50 acres are being maintained under irrigated condition.
• Pasture land (Cenchrus sp + Stylosanthus sp and Guinea grass + Stylosanthus sp) developed are being maintained for animal grazing and dry fodder for farm animal.
• Different agro forestry models are being maintained by this farm. Totally 1,575 tree seedlings, 60 avenue teak seedlings, Coconut trees and existing fruit orchards are intercropped with annual legumes maintained regularly and routine works like manuring, weeding, earthing up, irrigation and harvesting work were carried out at farm premises.
• In 25 acres of rain fed land area, fodder crops viz., cereals, (fodder sorghum crops like M. P. chari, Red chari), grasses and Guinea grass, Kolukkattai grass and leguminous crops like muyal masal, sun hemp, cow pea, horse gram and siratro) were established for supplying green and dry fodders to the livestock maintained under ILFC, VC&RI, Namakkal.
• Micro irrigation system (Drip irrigation, Rain gun and sprinkler) were installed in different fodder fields to conserve the water for supplying of green fodder throughout the year to the farm animals.
• Fodder slips and seeds were produced and supplied to the farmers in various districts of Tamil Nadu.
• Efficient recycling of waste water for irrigating coconut orchard, CO (CN) 4 fodder slips,cereals, grasses and legumes seeds production in the college campus for the needy farmers in and around of the Namakkal districts.

Achievements

Education

The following undergraduate courses are being offered to the B.V.Sc. & A.H, students regularly:

Training and other significant works

• Offering skill development courses for three persons on "Dairy farming".
• Totally 1726 farmers given onfarm guest lecture on livestock farming and fodder productionalong with KVK, Namakkal.
• Fodder seeds 11 kg and 2600 slips were supplied for the year 2013- 14

Revolving fund schemes

• Revolving fund scheme on "Production and Sale of Fodder Seeds and Slips" as per U.S.O. No.50248/G2/2006 Dated 06.10.2006 of the Registrar, TANUVAS, Chennai -51 is in progress from 09.02.2007.
• Revolving fund scheme on "Commercial Sheep Rearing" as per U.S.O. No. 50346/G4/2013 Dated 11.09.2013 of the Registrar, TANUVAS, Chennai -51 is in progress from 11.09.2013.

Selling price of breeding stock and seed materials

Current focus

• Supply of breeding stock and high yielding fodder crops seeds and slips to progressive farmers
• Establishment of small ruminant breed park for instructional purpose
• Establishment of value added manure management unit
• Establishment of permanent drought resistant grass for animal grazing.

Faculty

• Dr. D.Anandha Prakash Singh, Professor and Head
• Dr. C.Sankar, Assistant Professor
• Dr. P.Thirunavukkarasu, Assistant Professor
• Dr. R.Sakthivadivu, Assistant Professor
• Dr. V.Boopathi, Assistant Professor

Contact

The Professor and Head,

Livestock Farm Complex,

Veterinary College and Research Institute,

Namakkal – 637 002, Tamil Nadu.

Email: ilfc-vcri@tanuvas.org.in

Phone : +91-4286-266572