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This booklet is a success story of the evaluation of first cattle beef breed of Pakistan. Narimaster is the live research product, however it is being neglected by policy makers at both provincial and federal level.
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NARIMASTER CATTLE – a Saga of Success
_____________________________________________________ __
_____________________________________________________________
BEEF PRODUCTION RESEARCH CENTRE SIBILIVESTOCK & DAIRY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
BALOCHISTAN
Contributors:
Author: Dr Illahi Bakhsh MarghazaniVeterinary OfficerBPRC, Sibi
Patron in Chief: Dr Ghulam Muhammad KhetranFarm SuperintendentBPRC, Sibi
Special Thanks __________________________________________
Dr Muhammad Jamal Marri Divisional Director, L & DD Department, Sibi
Dr Muhammad Iqbal Khetran Director General, Livestock & Dairy Development Department, Balochistan
Background
In Pakistan, human population is increasing with an annual growth rate of 2.2
percent at a continuous pace which has resulted in increased demand of meat in the
country. Cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and poultry are the various sources of meat
production. Of them, cattle and buffalo are 34.3 and 30.8 million heads respectively
which contributes 56 % to the total (2965 thousand tons) meat production (Economic
Survey of Pakistan, 2009-10) in the country. The major source of beef production in
Pakistan is culled animals. These animals are still raised on traditional pattern and most
of the beef is obtained from end of career or emergency slaughtered animals and baby
calves. Hence, current beef production is based on horizontal strength of livestock rather
than vertical production per animal.
Fig.-1: Contribution of different sub-sectors in total meat production of Pakistan
Poultry23%
Beef 56%
Mutton21%
The production of meat is almost stagnant as compared to the increase in human
population. The gap between supply and demand is widening. The main reasons behind
this are genetic potential of
animals, feeding of animals,
their management on scientific
lines and marketing. Keeping
in view these limitations, some
attempts are made to improve
the genetic profile of
indigenous animals for beef
production at “Livestock
Production Research Institute,
Bhadurnagar, Okara and “Beef Production Research Centre, Sibi”. Both components
focused on improving the genetic potential of native breeds for beef production through
cross breeding with well known beef breeds of the world. Livestock Production Research
Institute, Bahadurnagar adopted the policy of cross breeding with beef breeds such as
Charolais and Simmental. On the
other hand, BPRC, Sibi which
was established in 1969,
followed the long term cross
breeding program with
Droughtmaster cattle breed to
develop native beef breed of
Pakistan.
In sixties, a consignment
of Droughtmaster cattle was imported into Pakistan. For having similar environmental
conditions of Queensland, a “Beef Production Research Centre” was established at Sibi
in 1969. Preliminary experiments carried out to select best indigenous cattle breed for
beef production among Sahiwal, Thari and Bhagnari cattle breeds with Droughtmaster
crosses. Results showed that birth weight, weaning weight and average daily gain in first
Growt trend of Beef Production In Pakistan
0500
100015002000
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Years (2001-10)
Bee
f Pro
duct
ion
(000
, ton
s)
Growth Trend of Population of Pakistan
130
140
150
160
170
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Years (2001-10) Po
pula
tion
(Mill
ion)
cross were comparatively better in Bhagnari cattle (24.45±1.5 kg, 145.15±5.5 kg, 0.69±
0.05 g/d) than Sahiwal (22.68± 0.92 kg, 92 .11± 3.5 kg, 0.45± 0.08 g/d) and Thari
(22.23±0.15 kg, 104.33± 4.20 kg, 0.49 ±0.06 kg/d) cattle breeds, respectively. These
preliminary studies recommended Bhagnari cattle for breeding program with
Droughtmaster.
Breeding Program for Developing a Beef Breed
Droughtmaster is the beef breed of Queensland, Australia which developed as a
result of crossing Bos taurus and Bos indicus breeds. Bos indicus inheritances include
Red American Brahman and Africander with some blood genetics of Santa Gertudis. Bos
taurus inheritances include Devon, Shorthorn, Hereford and Red Poll breeds.
Droughtmaster animals have good growth rate, fertility, docility and tick resistance. On
the other hand, Bhagnari cattle breed is the heaviest draught breed of Pakistan which has
its home tract in Sibi, Kachhi and Naseerabad territories. This breed has profound ability
to survive in scorching hot climate of the region. Better conversion efficiency of poor
nutritive roughages, growth rate and mothering are specialties of this breed.
A long term cross breeding program for three generations (crosses) was chalked
out to combine the unique characteristics of both breeds of the world. In first cross, male
Droughtmaster mated with female Bhagnari cow. The resultant first cross was having
50% genetics of each breed. In second cross, female animals of first cross were bred with
male Bhagnari bull. Consequently, the resultant progeny had 25% characteristics of
Droughtmaster and 75 % of Bhagnari cattle. In third cross, female animals of second
cross were selected to be bred with Droughtmaster bull. The obtained progeny was
having 62.5 % genetics of Droughtmaster and 37.5 % of Bhagnari cattle. The resultant
progeny named as “Narimaster”. After completion of breeding plan, Narimaster animals
were crossed within its population for fixation of characters by adopting culling and
selection process. Baseline strength of 300 animals of this breed obtained almost two
decades ago and is being maintained as in situ (on farm) at BPRC Sibi.
Bhagnari (BN: 100%) Droughtmaster (DM:
100%)
(Female) (Male)
First Cross progeny
(DM: 50%, BN: 50%)
First Cross progeny Bhagnari (BN: 100%)
(DM: 50%, BN: 50%) (Male)
(Female)
Second Cross Progeny
(DM: 25%, BN: 75%)
Second Cross Progeny Droughtmaster (DM: 100%)
(DM: 25%, BN: 75%) (Male)
(Female)
Third Cross Progeny
Narimaster
(DM: 67.5%, BN: 37.5%)
Where, DM: Droughtmaster and BN: Bhagnari
Fig-2: Schematic breeding program of Narimaster
Breed Characteristics of Narimaster
In its breed characteristics, Narimaster has reddish dun color with some
percentage of light red color. In our tropical conditions, red color imparts beneficial
effects on the health of animals. It protects cattle from the harmful rays of the sun which
results in less or no incidence of eye cancer and pink eye.
These animals are typically polled however horned animals can also be observed
which facilitates easy handling and management of the herd. It has wide frame and
muscular body structure. Hump is moderate to large and dewlap is loose enough. The
more hide length and area, more will be the sweet glands. As evaporation is the main
mechanism for regulation of temperature, hence, Narimaster cattle suffer less and are
well adapted to scorching hot weather conditions of the region. Narimaster cattle are
quite and docile in behavior. This quality makes them to consume less energy and grow
better and produce more beef. It has good foraging ability and can be managed on
maintenance ration with moderate growth rate. Its beef cuts has fine blend of tenderness
and juiciness.
Potential of “Narimaster” as beef breed
Narimaster has comparatively better birth weight, weaning weight and pre-
weaning growth rate than indigenous cattle breeds. However, the published work in hand
did not represent the true potential of the developed beef breed. The plausible reasons are
underfeeding of animals particularly at pre-weaning stage. Hence, true potential of the
Narimaster can be obtained by proper feeding of calves at early stage so that they could
express its worth at later stage. Keeping such conditions in view, a study was conducted
under “Restructuring and Strengthening of National Agriculture Research System in
Balochistan” (Pakistan Agriculture Research council (PARC) funded project). In this
study, calves of maximum birth weight were tested in fattening trial. These calves
showed quite promising growth rate (0.93±0.06 kg/d) fed at different fattening rations.
Areas that need prompt attention
1. Narimaster is rapidly losing it vigor and other characteristics due to continuous
inbreeding without proper selection and culling procedures and lack of policy for its
propagation. It is suggested that culling intensity need to be increased. Lengthy
procedures for approval need to be minimized. It will be ideal approach that farm
superintendent be made independent in this respect. Further, selection of elite animals, its
conservation and propagation need sound approach. Breed and production characteristics
should be kept in mind during this whole procedure.
2. Sale of milk from beef breed is unjustified. It leads to improper feeding of calves at the
primary stage of age that has dire consequences on later growth rate and weight of
animals.
3. Inadequate budget allocation retards smooth running of the farm. It often leads to
alarming situation in case of ongoing research studies which can face deadly
consequences. Hence, prior to start studies at research centers, finance availability be
assured for the whole period.
4. Farms having research mandate always need investment instead of earnings. Therefore,
income targets for research institutes need relaxation.
5. Capacity building of the existing staff, special package for conducting research studies
and other facilities need special attention to encourage and acknowledge the dedicated
efforts.
6. Proper functioning of research farm needs no interference. Political influence
particularly in case of animals purchase and transfer and posting orders want to be
criticized. It is suggested that we should feel our responsibility and there should be
fashioned commitment for those tasks which are good in national cause rather than
personal interests.
7. The performance of Narimaster cattle breed as in situ (on station, farm, zoo etc.) can
be different from ex situ (open or traditional community based animal husbandry)
environment. There are two main advantageous for ex situ husbandry of livestock.
Primarily, keeping newly developed breed in to controlled environments of government
farms poses the threat of losing adaptive traits. Secondly, livestock breeds are not static
entities but are continuously being shaped and adapted. It is hence believed that livestock
genetic wealth can only be conserved through utilization. Considering these fact, it is
suggested an initial propagation plan of Narimaster cattle breed (which is already too
delayed) need to be designed on priority basis to achieve the community-based
performance of the developed beef breed.
ConclusionNarimaster cattle are the live product of long time research. Despite of
negligence, it has shown some promising features which could play a certain role in
enhancing beef production in Pakistan. However, persistency in its performance need
prompt attention from the both at provincial and federal levels. Further delay in its
propagation and lack of intense selection and culling procedure will degrade the existing
potential of this breed.
Gain ability, Docility, fertility and adoptability are the specialties of Narimaster cattle breed
Reproductive efficiency, calving ease, milk producing ability to rear heavy calves are the characteristics of Narimaster cows
Better feed efficiency, growth rate on poor feeding and lean meat. Narimaster is the unique combination of Droughtmaster and Bhagnari characteristics
Gold Medalist “Historical Horse and Cattle show, Sibi” “National Horse and Cattle show, Lahore”
First Beef Breed of Pakistan
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