Vedic Life Agnihotra and cows
AV7.73 – मनुष्यकर्तव्योपदेश:अग्निहोत्र और गोपालन
1-5 अश्विनौ; 6,7 सविता, 8,11 अघ्न्या; 9,10 अग्निर्देवता
1.समिधो अग्निर्वृषणा रथी दिवस्तप्तो घर्मो वामिषे मधु |
वयं हि वां पुरुदमासो अश्विना हवामहे सधमादेषु कारव: || अथर्व 7.73
प्रात:कालीन प्रकाश के रथ पर प्रकट सूर्योदय और यज्ञ से दिंचर्या आरम्भ कर के, हम दोनो ( पति पत्नि) गौओं के धारोष्ण अमृत को दुह कर दोनो (पति पत्नि) की इच्छापूर्ति और प्रदूषण के दमन के दोनो पुण्य कार्यों में हर्षित होते हैं.
With the dawn of the day heralded by the chariot of light and our offerings in fire for the morning agnihotra, we the twins (Husband and wife) actively participate in milking the warm nectar of cows, for fulfilling our desires and thus performing our duty.
2.समिद्धो अग्निरश्विना तप्तो वां घर्मं आ गतम् |
दुह्यंते नूनं वृषणेह धेनवो दस्रा मदंति वेधस: || अथर्व 7.73.2
इन दोनो शुभ कार्यों (अग्नि होत्र और गोदोहन) के द्वारा प्रदीप्त तेजस्वी ऐश्वर्ययुक्त दोनो पराक्रमी (पति पत्नि) के द्वारा रोगनाशक पर्यावरण और गोदोहन में बुद्धिमान जन हर्षित होते हैं.
By the two actions of (Agnihotra in the morning and milking of the cows here) you are bringing to all the warmth of well being (nutritive food from cow) and clean environment (by performing Agnihotra).
3. स्वाहाकृत: शुचिर्देवेषु यज्ञो यो अश्विनोश्चमसो द्वपान: |
तमु विश्वे अमृतासु जुषाणा गन्धर्वस्य प्रत्यास्म्ना रिहन्ति || अथर्व 7.73.3
दोनो चतुर ( पतिपत्नि) के आलस्य त्याग कर स्वाहाकृत सुंदर स्वच्छता प्रदान करने वाला यज्ञ मेघ और मुख द्वारा ग्रहण करने योग्य अमृत प्रदान करता है जो दोनो रक्षणीय और प्रशंसनीय हैं.
These two morning actions Agnihotra and milking the Cows by you two ( the husband wife team) by giving up your laziness, bring delight to the perceptive folk (Gandharwas of world) by helping rain clouds ( by Agnihotra) and providing food (through Cows).
4.यदुस्रियास्वाहुतं घृतं पयोSयं स वामश्विना भाग आ गतम् |
माध्वी धर्तारा विदथस्य सत्पती तप्तं घर्मं पिबतं रोचने दिव: || अथर्व 7.73.4
जैसे गौओं से प्राप्त दोनो दुग्ध और घृत, दोनो चतुर पति पत्नि के पराक्रम से प्राप्त हो रहा है, वै से ही सत्पुरुषों की रक्षा के लिए मधुविद्या (वेदों का सब समाज मे सामंजस्य स्थापित कर के आपसी व्यवहार का उपदेश) जानने योग्य है. इन दोनो का सूर्य के प्रकाश में ऐश्वर्ययुक्त और प्रकाशमान जीवन प्राप्त करो.
Just as the twins of milk and ghee are made available from cows, by the efforts of this clever twin (the team of husband and wife) for the preservation of society the wisdom of Vedas that teaches all to live together in peace and harmony, bask in glory of the twins of prosperity and an open free society and enlightened life.
5.तप्तो वा घर्मो नक्षतु स्वहोता प्र वामध्वर्युश्चरतु पयस्वान् |
मघोर्दुग्धस्याश्विना तनाया वीतं पातं पयस उस्रियाया: || अथर्व 7.73.5
चतुर दोनो (पति पत्नि) ऐश्वर्ययुक्त हिंसा रहित प्रकाशमान (वैदिक याज्ञिक जीवन शैलि का उपदेश) गोदुग्ध गरम दुग्ध और तपाया हुवा गोघृत दोनो स्वास्थ्य और यज्ञ युक्त जीवन शैलि दोनो से ईश्वर ज्ञान और समाज की रक्षा दोनो को प्राप्त करो.
The clever twins (team of husband wife) lead a life of love and peace in society. Twin strategy of Vedic life style of agnihotras and wisdom for seeking blessings of Divine and protection of environment are provided by Cow enabled twins of warm milk and heat clarified ghee.
6.उप द्रव पयसा गोधुगोषमा घर्मे सिञ्च पय उस्रियाया: |
वि नाकमख्यत्स्वविता वरेण्योSनुप्रयाणमुषसो वि राजति || अथर्व 7.73.6
इस प्रात: कालीन वेला में सविता देव ने वरणीय सूर्य द्वारा अंधकार रहित प्रकाश से स्वर्ग स्थापित कर दिया है. हे गोधुक् गौ को दोहने वाले, तुम शीघ्र आकर धारोष्ण गोदुग्ध प्रदान करो.
By the grace of Savita Dev, morning sun has banished the darkness of night and established the glory of day light. O care taker of Cows, hurry up to provide us with fresh from cow’s udder raw warm milk
7. उप ह्व्ये सुदुधां धेनुमेतां सुहस्तो गोधुगुत दोहदेनाम् |
श्रेष्ठं सवं सविता साविषन्नोSभीद्धो घर्मस्तदु षु प्र वोचत् || अथर्व 7.73.7
सुख से दुहाने वाली इस गौ को बुलाता हूं. सधे हुए कुशल हाथों से गौ का दोहन हो. सब को उत्तम प्रेरणा देने वाली वृत्तियों से धारोष्ण दुग्धादि पदार्थ हमें उपलब्ध हों.
We reckon with cows of friendly temperaments. Trained skilled hands are employed to milk the cows. All round wisdom and cooperation in the efforts of maintaining good cow ensure healthy clean raw milk to the community.
8. हिङ्कृण्वती वसुपत्नी वसूनां वत्समिच्छन्ती मनसा न्यागन् |
दुहामश्विभ्यां पयो अघ्न्येयं सा वर्धतां महते सौभगाय || अथर्व7.73.8
(पञ्च्गव्य द्वारा) श्रेष्ठ धनों को पुष्ट करने वाली गौ, हृदय से बछड़े की कामना करती हुई रंभाति हुई हमारे महान सौभाग्य के लिए हमारे (घर में) नित्य विराजमान हो.
Best riches in life are provided by panchgavy( Five products from cow namely Milk, curds, butter, Urine and Dung). We pray that for our good luck and well being cow may always stay in our home.
9.जुष्टो दमूमा अतिथिर्दुरोण इमं नो यज्ञमुप याहि विद्वान् |
विश्वा अग्ने अभियुजो विहत्य शत्रूयतामा भरा भोजनानि || अथर्व 7.73.9
विद्वान यज्ञाग्नि का प्रिय अतिथि की तरह प्रेम पूर्वक पोषण और सत्कार करते हैं. जिस से वह हमारे (पर्यावरण प्रदूषण) रूपि शत्रुओं का विनाश करती है.
For protect themselves from harm causing environments and negative mental attitudes, wise men nurture , love and feed the Agnihotra fire like welcome guest.
10. अग्ने शर्घ महते सौभगाय तव द्युम्नान्युत्तमानि संतु|
सं जास्पत्यं सुययमा कृणुष्व शत्रूययतामभि तिष्ठा महांसि || अथर्व 7.73.10
यज्ञाग्नि हम दोनों (पति पत्नि) महान सौभाग्य के हेतु, हमें तेजस्वी, उत्साहवान और सुदृढ़ बना कर शत्रुता पूर्ण आचरण करने वालो को हमारे मुकाबले में शिथिल करे.
Fire of Yagnas brings all the best bounties in life and provides with cheerful positive temperaments. Yagnas also weaken the forces opposing our wellbeing.
11 सूयवसाद्भभगवती हि भूया अधा वयं भगवंत: स्याम|
अद्धि तृणमघ्नये विश्वदानी पिबं शुद्धमुहकमाचरंती || अथर्व 7.73.11
(हमारी गौमाता) सुंदर यवादि खाती हुई भाग्यवती हो जिस से हम भाग्यशाली बनें. हमार गौ सदा (गोचर में) तृणादि खाती और शुद्ध जल का पान कर के विचरे.
Our cow may always self feed in pasture to get green nutrition, and get excellent water to drink to bring good luck to our life.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
The A1A2 Milk Story
THE A1 vs A2 MILK STORY
In September 2007 Keith Woodford’s book, Devil in the Milk, hit the book shops, creating a burst of
publicity about the link between the type of milk New Zealanders drink and a range of serious
illnesses, including heart disease, Type 1 diabetes, autism and schizophrenia. The story starts with
the remarkable epidemiological evidence demonstrating the strong association between countries
that have a high intake of A1 milk and a high incidence of both Type 1 diabetes and heart disease.
The book reveals how these diseases and a number of other health problems are linked to a tiny
protein fragment that is formed during the digestion of the A1 beta-casein, a milk protein produced by
cows in New Zealand, Australia and many other western countries. Milk that contains A1 beta-casein
is known as A1 milk, whereas milk that is not is called A2 milk. Originally all milk was A2 until a
mutation affecting some European cattle occurred some thousands of years ago. Herds in much of
Asia, Africa and part of southern Europe remain naturally high in A2 cows.
BCM7
The effects on human health of this tiny protein fragment called beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM7), which
is a powerful opioid or narcotic as well as being an oxidant, are explained clearly and simply by Keith
Woodford, Professor of Farm Management and Agribusiness at Lincoln University in New Zealand.
He brings together the evidence published in more than 100 scientific papers, examines both the
population studies and the research undertaken with animals and humans, and explains the science
that under-pins the A1/A2 hypothesis. He also points to the increasing evidence that BCM7 is
associated with milk intolerance and an additional range of auto-immune diseases, including Type 1
diabetes, an auto-immune disease in which the body destroys its own insulin-producing cells. Type 1
diabetes usually occurs in childhood or early adulthood.
Human milk vs cows milk
The book also contains a number of references to the differences between human milk and cows milk
and the impact this can have on the health and future well-being of babies. One of the differences
has to do with protein differences. As Keith Woodford explains:
“The protein level of human milk is about 1.6% in the first few days following birth and then drops to
about 0.9%. In comparison, bovine milk is typically 3-4%, depending on both the breed and individual
differences. The specific balance between the proteins is also quite different. In bovine milk about
80% of the proteins are casein proteins whereas in humans the major proteins are whey proteins.” (1)
There is also an important difference between the human casein protein and the beta-casein
produced by cows. All human beta-casein is more like the A2 type rather than the A1 type which
means that human milk releases much less BCM7. When testing human milk, New Zealand
researchers found that they got less than 1% of the BCM7 that could be released from the same
amount of A1 milk, meaning that when it comes to the relative opioid effect, human milk has less than
one-thousandth the potential potency of A1 cows’ milk.
Leaky gut syndrome
Part of the puzzle of how BCM7 gets into the bloodstream involves what happens to BCM7 when it is
released into the gut. It should be difficult for BCM7 to get through the gut wall and into the
bloodstream because the molecule is too large. However, some people suffer from leaky gut
syndrome which enables BCM7 and other peptides to pass very easily through the gut wall and into
the bloodstream.
Keith Woodford describes how in people with a leaky gut it is possible to detect BCM7 in the urine.
He states that this condition has been closely associated with the symptoms of autism and
schizophrenia due to the known opioid effects of BCM7, an association confirmed by the presence of
BCM7 in their urine.
“There is also very strong circumstantial evidence that people with stomach ulcers or untreated
coeliac disease absorb BCM7 through the gut wall. It is also likely that babies can absorb BCM7 the
same way; in fact newborn babies need to be able to pass large molecules through the gut wall.
Otherwise they would not be able to absorb the colostrum in their mother’s milk.” (1)
Effects of BCM7 on babies
If newborns are able to pass large molecules through the gut wall then this increases their
vulnerability and susceptibility to the effects of BCM7 in A1 milk and to infant milk formula products
made with milk from A1 cows.
It is well known that opioids including BCM7 can reduce the rate of passage through the gut which
explains why babies fed on cows milk formula products rather that human milk are susceptible to
constipation and in extreme cases can suffer anal fissures. Keith Woodford suggests it is also
possible, but at this stage unproven, that the slower passage of A1 milk through the digestive system
(due to the release of BCM7), increases problems of lactose intolerance.
Early and prolonged exposure to BCM7 in infant formulas may therefore be a significant factor in the
rising incidence of autism, Asperger’s syndrome, Type 1 diabetes, heart disease, and a range of
other auto-immune diseases. Research on the presence of BCM7 in infant formula has not been
done and is urgently needed.
Until then, mothers would be well advised to breastfeed their babies for as long as possible, and to
insist on breastmilk substitutes made with A2 milk, not A1 milk.
It is also not known whether BCM7 is likely to be a problem in cheese, or in ice-cream, yoghurt, and
various other milk products. Until the research has been done, New Zealand consumers need to be
aware that they may also pose similar risks to health that drinking A1 milk does.
The solution
The solution to the problem is both simple and unbelievably cheap. All that is required is for farmers
to ensure that their cows are inseminated, naturally or artificially, with semen from A2A2 bulls. Given
the majority of top bulls in New Zealand happen to be A2A2 this would not be difficult. Some of the
smaller groups of New Zealand dairy farmers, predicting the increase in consumer demand for A2
milk, have already converted their herds to A2 cows. An added bonus for them is that some recently
published research revealed than on average New Zealand A2 cows actually produce more milk than
A1 cows. Keith Woodford has calculated that if farmers used only A2A2 bull semen for their herds it
would take less than a decade to make the switch.
The question that then springs to mind is why has this not been carried out already? This is where
the politics of public health and the vested interests of big business come into conflict.
NZFSA
The New Zealand Food Standards Authority is a government organisation charged with both
protecting and promoting public health and safety, and facilitating access to markets for New Zealand
food and food products. Herein lies the most astounding conflict of interest one could imagine.
NZFSA’s response to the link between the consumption of A1 milk and Type 1 diabetes and heart
disease raised in the publication of a paper by Dr Murray Laugeson and Professor Bob Elliott in the
NZ Medical Journal in early 2003 demonstrated very clearly that in the battle between the interests of
the dairy industry and those of public health, the industry’s interests won hands down. NZFSA
attempted to put a lid on this particular Pandora’s box.
In 2003 Fonterra/the dairy industry and A2 Corporation were slogging it out in the courts, as A2
Corporation was claiming that ordinary milk should carry a health warning. Not an unreasonable
position for the A2 Corporation to take, notwithstanding their vested interests in the issue.
Only two years prior to this – in September 2001 to be exact – Fonterra in its previous incarnation as
the NZ Dairy Research Institute had applied for a patent claiming that A1 beta-casein was associated
the death from mental illnesses in general, and was strongly associated with autism in particular. This
was because it was believed that BCM7 “may induce or aggravate a neurological/mental disorder
such as autism or Asperger’s syndrome.” Epidemiology from 10 countries revealed that intake of A1
milk correlated very closely with WHO data on the level of deaths from mental disorders in those
countries. The NZDRI’s patent application was subsequently abandoned.
During the years between the publication of the paper by Laugeson and Elliott in the NZ Medical
Journal and the publication of Keith Woodford’s book, the NZFSA has continued to place the
interests of the dairy industry above the considerable public health issues that the continuing
consumption of A1 milk represents to the New Zealand public.
In conclusion, the A2 milk story is truly an amazing tale, one that is not just about the health issues
surrounding A1 milk. It is also a story that reveals how scientific evidence can be moulded and
withheld by vested interests, and how consumer choices are influenced and manipulated by the
interests of corporate business.
Written by Lynda Williams, Co-Ordinator, MSCC
References
1. Devil in the Milk by Keith Woodford.
In September 2007 Keith Woodford’s book, Devil in the Milk, hit the book shops, creating a burst of
publicity about the link between the type of milk New Zealanders drink and a range of serious
illnesses, including heart disease, Type 1 diabetes, autism and schizophrenia. The story starts with
the remarkable epidemiological evidence demonstrating the strong association between countries
that have a high intake of A1 milk and a high incidence of both Type 1 diabetes and heart disease.
The book reveals how these diseases and a number of other health problems are linked to a tiny
protein fragment that is formed during the digestion of the A1 beta-casein, a milk protein produced by
cows in New Zealand, Australia and many other western countries. Milk that contains A1 beta-casein
is known as A1 milk, whereas milk that is not is called A2 milk. Originally all milk was A2 until a
mutation affecting some European cattle occurred some thousands of years ago. Herds in much of
Asia, Africa and part of southern Europe remain naturally high in A2 cows.
BCM7
The effects on human health of this tiny protein fragment called beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM7), which
is a powerful opioid or narcotic as well as being an oxidant, are explained clearly and simply by Keith
Woodford, Professor of Farm Management and Agribusiness at Lincoln University in New Zealand.
He brings together the evidence published in more than 100 scientific papers, examines both the
population studies and the research undertaken with animals and humans, and explains the science
that under-pins the A1/A2 hypothesis. He also points to the increasing evidence that BCM7 is
associated with milk intolerance and an additional range of auto-immune diseases, including Type 1
diabetes, an auto-immune disease in which the body destroys its own insulin-producing cells. Type 1
diabetes usually occurs in childhood or early adulthood.
Human milk vs cows milk
The book also contains a number of references to the differences between human milk and cows milk
and the impact this can have on the health and future well-being of babies. One of the differences
has to do with protein differences. As Keith Woodford explains:
“The protein level of human milk is about 1.6% in the first few days following birth and then drops to
about 0.9%. In comparison, bovine milk is typically 3-4%, depending on both the breed and individual
differences. The specific balance between the proteins is also quite different. In bovine milk about
80% of the proteins are casein proteins whereas in humans the major proteins are whey proteins.” (1)
There is also an important difference between the human casein protein and the beta-casein
produced by cows. All human beta-casein is more like the A2 type rather than the A1 type which
means that human milk releases much less BCM7. When testing human milk, New Zealand
researchers found that they got less than 1% of the BCM7 that could be released from the same
amount of A1 milk, meaning that when it comes to the relative opioid effect, human milk has less than
one-thousandth the potential potency of A1 cows’ milk.
Leaky gut syndrome
Part of the puzzle of how BCM7 gets into the bloodstream involves what happens to BCM7 when it is
released into the gut. It should be difficult for BCM7 to get through the gut wall and into the
bloodstream because the molecule is too large. However, some people suffer from leaky gut
syndrome which enables BCM7 and other peptides to pass very easily through the gut wall and into
the bloodstream.
Keith Woodford describes how in people with a leaky gut it is possible to detect BCM7 in the urine.
He states that this condition has been closely associated with the symptoms of autism and
schizophrenia due to the known opioid effects of BCM7, an association confirmed by the presence of
BCM7 in their urine.
“There is also very strong circumstantial evidence that people with stomach ulcers or untreated
coeliac disease absorb BCM7 through the gut wall. It is also likely that babies can absorb BCM7 the
same way; in fact newborn babies need to be able to pass large molecules through the gut wall.
Otherwise they would not be able to absorb the colostrum in their mother’s milk.” (1)
Effects of BCM7 on babies
If newborns are able to pass large molecules through the gut wall then this increases their
vulnerability and susceptibility to the effects of BCM7 in A1 milk and to infant milk formula products
made with milk from A1 cows.
It is well known that opioids including BCM7 can reduce the rate of passage through the gut which
explains why babies fed on cows milk formula products rather that human milk are susceptible to
constipation and in extreme cases can suffer anal fissures. Keith Woodford suggests it is also
possible, but at this stage unproven, that the slower passage of A1 milk through the digestive system
(due to the release of BCM7), increases problems of lactose intolerance.
Early and prolonged exposure to BCM7 in infant formulas may therefore be a significant factor in the
rising incidence of autism, Asperger’s syndrome, Type 1 diabetes, heart disease, and a range of
other auto-immune diseases. Research on the presence of BCM7 in infant formula has not been
done and is urgently needed.
Until then, mothers would be well advised to breastfeed their babies for as long as possible, and to
insist on breastmilk substitutes made with A2 milk, not A1 milk.
It is also not known whether BCM7 is likely to be a problem in cheese, or in ice-cream, yoghurt, and
various other milk products. Until the research has been done, New Zealand consumers need to be
aware that they may also pose similar risks to health that drinking A1 milk does.
The solution
The solution to the problem is both simple and unbelievably cheap. All that is required is for farmers
to ensure that their cows are inseminated, naturally or artificially, with semen from A2A2 bulls. Given
the majority of top bulls in New Zealand happen to be A2A2 this would not be difficult. Some of the
smaller groups of New Zealand dairy farmers, predicting the increase in consumer demand for A2
milk, have already converted their herds to A2 cows. An added bonus for them is that some recently
published research revealed than on average New Zealand A2 cows actually produce more milk than
A1 cows. Keith Woodford has calculated that if farmers used only A2A2 bull semen for their herds it
would take less than a decade to make the switch.
The question that then springs to mind is why has this not been carried out already? This is where
the politics of public health and the vested interests of big business come into conflict.
NZFSA
The New Zealand Food Standards Authority is a government organisation charged with both
protecting and promoting public health and safety, and facilitating access to markets for New Zealand
food and food products. Herein lies the most astounding conflict of interest one could imagine.
NZFSA’s response to the link between the consumption of A1 milk and Type 1 diabetes and heart
disease raised in the publication of a paper by Dr Murray Laugeson and Professor Bob Elliott in the
NZ Medical Journal in early 2003 demonstrated very clearly that in the battle between the interests of
the dairy industry and those of public health, the industry’s interests won hands down. NZFSA
attempted to put a lid on this particular Pandora’s box.
In 2003 Fonterra/the dairy industry and A2 Corporation were slogging it out in the courts, as A2
Corporation was claiming that ordinary milk should carry a health warning. Not an unreasonable
position for the A2 Corporation to take, notwithstanding their vested interests in the issue.
Only two years prior to this – in September 2001 to be exact – Fonterra in its previous incarnation as
the NZ Dairy Research Institute had applied for a patent claiming that A1 beta-casein was associated
the death from mental illnesses in general, and was strongly associated with autism in particular. This
was because it was believed that BCM7 “may induce or aggravate a neurological/mental disorder
such as autism or Asperger’s syndrome.” Epidemiology from 10 countries revealed that intake of A1
milk correlated very closely with WHO data on the level of deaths from mental disorders in those
countries. The NZDRI’s patent application was subsequently abandoned.
During the years between the publication of the paper by Laugeson and Elliott in the NZ Medical
Journal and the publication of Keith Woodford’s book, the NZFSA has continued to place the
interests of the dairy industry above the considerable public health issues that the continuing
consumption of A1 milk represents to the New Zealand public.
In conclusion, the A2 milk story is truly an amazing tale, one that is not just about the health issues
surrounding A1 milk. It is also a story that reveals how scientific evidence can be moulded and
withheld by vested interests, and how consumer choices are influenced and manipulated by the
interests of corporate business.
Written by Lynda Williams, Co-Ordinator, MSCC
References
1. Devil in the Milk by Keith Woodford.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Improving Milk productivity of Indian Cows
IMPROVING INDIAN COWS
1. AI as Breeding Practices:-
AI (Artificial Insemination) is indeed a marvel of modern veterinary science. In US success rates of AI exceeding 80% are common, as also same cows delivering by AI more than ten calves in good Dairy farms is not an exception.
1.1.1 AI Experience in India
With best of our efforts in last 60 years, it has not been possible to achieve overall AI success rates better than 25% in India. Economic hardship of farmers due to extended dry period on account of deficient AI delivery has never been assessed by anybody in India.
1.1.2. Repeatedly failed AI cattle become infertile. Fibroids caused by lack of professional expertise of the AI provider staff, after a few calving renders good fertile cows incapable of future conception. Loss of good milk yielding cows due to infertility has also never been assessed in the Indian Animal Husbandry practice. By poor AI delivery apart from tremendous burden on farmers in feeding cows for the extended dry period, excellent milk cattle is being turned infertile.
In this way AI is helping the cow slaughter industry.
1.1.3. Inbreeding with AI is a well recognized problem in developed world Dairies also. In India as it is we have a lot of inbreeding trouble, AI is being performed for better cattle. But big potential loss of good cattle by inbreeding is inherent in AI.
1.1.4 - Spread of IBR by AI is a well established fact.
IBR (Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis) has been an uncontrollable Zoonotic disease. Indian veterinary experts have the data of 20000 animals from Military Farms, Gaushala, Two Coordinated projects and 50 PG studies on this disease from India in support of this observation. It is reaching human population in the form of Swine Flu, Dengue fever, H1N1 infection, Common Cold and Cough spreading like epidemics in colder seasons.
1.1.5. A more practical approach to AI in Indian context is not to overlook the advantages of Natural breeding methods. Normally when cost advantage of AI is demonstrated, the added cost born by the society to find resources for extended dry periods of cattle due to failed AI attempts, cost of cows rendered infertile due to improper AI operations are not taken in to calculations.
Overall total cost of natural breeding service under Indian conditions is far more advantageous than AI.
1.1.6. AI and ET –Embryo Transfer – techniques can be practiced under controlled expert institutions and larger Goshalas as support for the Field Services.
1.1.7. Govt. should consider shrinking its present infrastructure on AI straw production centers, and AI services, by taking a very pragmatic view of their performance in the last many decades under Indian conditions. Saving to the national exchequer and hardships being faced by poor cattle owning farmers will be very significant. Large number of good cows that become infertile due to poor AI delivery practice will also be saved.
2. Cross Breeding
In India large number of identifiable phenotypes of Indian breeds of cows had evolved to suit the natural conditions, over the last thousands of years. Let us not consciously loose this nature’s precious gift to our country.
2.1 Advantage of Indian Breeds.
It is in every veterinarians knowledge that our cows particularly Sindi, Sahiwal, Tharparkar have very heavy sweat glands,large dewlaps and very prominent humps. These physical attributes have evolved over the millennia and endow our cows to have very high ambient temperature sustainability compared to exotic HF and such cows. With global warming trends the entire world will be looking eagerly to import Indian breeds of cows. The existing trends to go in for Indian breeds of Cows for milk in Brazil, Israel and Australia are not mere accidents.
2.2. A2 Milk Advantage
In view of the modern researches about A2 milk, it will be prudent on the part of our Government to stop cross breeding with A1 type mainly HF semen.
3.1 Supply of Natural Breeding Bulls.
Government cattle research institutions should be encouraged to share with Goshalas and similar institutions , better pedigree A2 milk producing calves to be raised as good natural service Bulls.
The present practice of culling the unpromising Cows, Heifers, Male calves and Bulls by periodic disposal by Govt. institutions, should be reformed to share good young male and female stock with range and extension services for promoting breed improvement in the country.
3.2 Involve Goshalas.
It is our experience that there is great shortage of good natural service providing bulls in India. This can be met by providing good pedigree male calves for being raised as Natural Service Bulls. Goshalas and Gosadans should be actively involved in this Bull development work.
4. Feed Strategies
4.1 Green Fodder, Pasture is best
Modern veterinary research has been devoting great efforts to the subject of animal nutrition. Development of various concentrated feed formulations has been propelled by Dairy Industry interests. In Indian context hardly 15% of Indian Milk is in the organized Dairy Sector. It is not logical to let this 15% interest dictate the 85% . Modern Veterinary science can also benefit by understanding traditional cattle rearing practices of India. Hardly any attention is paid to the fact that Indians have the world’s oldest continuous animal husbandry tradition.
4.2 EFA Advantage
Green Fodder and self fed pasture practice results in the lowest cost of milk production and at the same time healthiest milk for human nutrition – low in total fats and high in EFA contents.
4.3 Concentrated Feed Formulations
A very cautious approach is also required to develop alternative cattle feed formulations based on preparing artificially extracted and developed cattle feed constituents. It is very difficult to assess the long term usage effects that may prove harmful in the long run. Very minute quantities of toxins such as HCN carried forward from GM seeds are known to cause immense damage to cattle health and milk productivity. Even the best of commercial enterprises are known to overlook such minute details in their supplies. Thus the traditional Indian self prepared formulations always prove more reliable.
4.4 Indian Traditional Knowledge
Indian knowledge based on thousands of years of practice has always advocated pasture based green fodder. This results in higher milk yields and reduced total fat content of milk, but at the same time enhancing the EFF.The latest researches and practices in NZ, Lipgene project in EU, and researches of Prof. William A. Albrecht of University of Missouri, Columbia are there to support this proposition.
4.5 Low Milk yield Green Fodder Connection.
Experts have been advising about effects of Heat Stress and exotic cross bred cattle as the main reason for wide annual fluctuation in milk productivity of cattle in India. But even the Indian breeds of Milk cows have been observed to show very similar annual milk production variation. A study of our closely monitored herd over last ten years indicates that loss in milk production of Cattle in India is very closely related to non availability of adequate good Fresh Green Fodder throughout the year. Just by making green fodder available throughout the year a minimum 20% increase of milk production can be achieved.
4.6 Enhancing Green Fodder Availability
Problem- Pastures: Develop Waste land Pastures.
This indeed is the greatest challenge for multidiscipline innovative research intervention for experts and business houses to take up, and develop a well managed pasture system in India. This also presents a win win opportunity for everybody. Tremendous social, political and commercial advantages that will also result from success of this strategy can hardly be exaggerated. Lot of research in traditional fodder crops and grasses has been going on in many research institutions. But pressure on cultivable land to produce food and horticulture crops for human consumption makes green fodder cultivation very uneconomical use of cultivable land. Almost total loss of Pastures makes it very difficult to depend on grasses. Vagaries of weather, shortage of irrigation water also affect green fodder availability.
4.7 Development of perennial leaf Fodder Trees for harvesting by pollarding/coppicing should be paid more attention, in different climate zones of India.
4.8 Development of Blue Green Algae such Azolla should also form an important constituent of green fodder for cattle.
4.9 Hydroponics Fodder:-
Indian experience with Hydroponics fodder with imported Fometa devices nearly twenty years ago due to inept handling, was given up as a bad dream. World over Hydroponics fodder is considered a very important Green highly nutritive, high digestibility cattle feed alternative strategy. By vertical growing it improves land use nearly 200 times and reduces irrigation water requirement to mere 5% of normal cultivation and completely immune from vagaries of weather.
We can develop our own Hydroponics Fodder device designs in India to suit various climate zones. As practiced abroad, for India it is not necessary to use air-conditioning and artificial lighting to grow Hydroponics Fodder. It is also possible to avoid use of chlorine as sanitizing agent against fungus problems. Combined with a Biogas plant a Hydroponics Fodder system is a completely green energy based fodder production method for Indian conditions. Just two kg/day of any coarse grain can provide a complete highly digestible & nutritious balanced cattle feed for an average Indian cow, throughout the year.
5. Drinking Water for Cattle
On drinking water Rig Veda in 10.169.1 says
" पीवस्वतीर्जीवधन्या: पिबन्त्ववसाय" Provide drinking water for cows drinking that will be thankfully received even by humans.
Although with problems of good clean drinking water availability for humans, the requirements of good quality drinking water hardly ever receives any attention.
But considering the fact that low productivity and poor fertility are severely faced problems with our cattle, attention is being increasingly given to this subject.
By making changes in water quality alone up to 27% increase in Milk production has been demonstrated in the case studies cited below.
For the Organized Dairy sector that can not only afford but is willing to go an extra mile to achieve better health and productivity , following information will be found very educative.
There are also possibilities of developing more cost effective strategies to provide better drinking water for our cows. This can be a subject for a specialized, India specific, subgroup to research and work upon.
Use of Alkaline Water on Dairy Farms
Reports from 27 Dairy farms using alkali water.
As prepared for IonLife International
With the advent of electrolysis water treatment in the Japanese marketplace, electrolysis alkaline water was introduced into the dairy farms.
This is now beginning to impact on dairy farms in the USA and other countries (See IonLife's Dairy Farm Proposal).
In Japan, knowing the positive health benefits and results that were acquired through human consumption, alkaline water was used in place of tap water as the sole source of water for dairy cows.
The results of this water usage is reported in the subsequent findings. The information was obtained through 27 dairy farms along with a report from a group of veterinarians. The source of each report is identified at the beginning of each report.
In general, the following measurable conditions were noted:
1. An increase in milk output by 18% - 28%.
2. A notable improvement in the quality of milk.
3. Elimination of strong feces and urine odors.
4. Healthier skin condition.
5. Minimized injury to the udder.
6. Decrease in diarrhea cases.
7. Strengthening of the legs.
8. Increased appetite.
9. Able to reduce mineral supplements normally added to the feed.
10. Due to an improved health condition coupled with stronger legs,
extended the productive life span of the cows.
11. Improved the fertility rate and reduced still births in new-born calves.
Aside from the above, the following opinions were noted by the veterinarians:
1. A noticeably increased appetite; no new supplements were added to their diet.
Increase in appetite noted in older cows also.
2. Well digested foods.
3. A beautiful sheen on the cows' hair.
4. Higher fertility rate; higher pregnancy rate.
5. A new-born calf exposed to alkali water matures quicker.
6. A dramatic increase in milk production.
7. Improved liver condition.
8. Strengthened legs.
9. Minimizing of sicknesses; tremendously improved health condition.
10. No adverse conditions noted with the consumption of alkali water. Lesser visits made by veterinarians.
The following are individual findings that have been noted by each dairy farmer that have replaced tap water with alkali water.
A. Dairy Farm: Kasahara Ranch
Location: Nomura, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. G. Kasahara
1. The milk output had increase from 7,000kg o 8,900kg or an increase of 27%.
2. The use of the alkali water had instilled a preventive approach to the overall health condition of the dairy cow in lieu of reactive medical means.
The overall health condition of the herd had improved dramatically.
B. Dairy Farm: Shikawa Ranch
Location: Momembetsu, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. T. Shikawa
1. There was a noticeable improvement in the quality of the milk.
2. Despite the high temperature during the Summer months, the milk output had increased dramatically.
During the previous Summer months, milk output had declined.
C. Dairy Farm: Sudo Ranch
Location: Munetani, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. M. Sudo
NOTE: Unlike other dairy farms, this farmer had discontinued the use of alkali water to measure the effects of returning to normal tap water.
The following were the effects that were noted:
1.The strong odors associated with cow excrements had returned after a period of time when the foul odor had been eliminated through the consumption of alkali water.
2.The sheen that was once present on the cows had disappeared and the hair had returned to a lackluster condition.
3.The frequency of diarrhea had increased.
4.Weakness was noticed in the cows legs as opposed to the strengthening of the cows' legs during the use of alkali water.
D. Dairy Farm: Takahashi Ranch
Location: Notsuke, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. Takahashi.
1.The sickness rate was considerably reduced.
E. Dairy Farm: Hamanasu Ranch
Location: Mombetsu, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. S. Nakagawa.
1. The coloring of the udder became extremely healthy.
2. Due to the alkali consumption and it's natural healing ability, the amount of injury to the udder had diminished.
3. The milk output has increased by 800 kg per cow.
(NOTE: since there was no "before and after" numbers provided the percentage of increase could not be determined.)
F. Dairy Farm: Karita Ranch
Location: Notsuke, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. H. Karita
1. The results were excellent in every manner.
Milk production was considerably higher, the sickness rate was down, problems associated with diarrhea were minimized, the foul odor from the excrement was gone, the cow's appetite was up, the sheen on the cows' hair was considerably higher and the overall quality of the milk was up.
G. Dairy Farm: Sunnydale Ranch
Location: Hyotsu, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. M. Danshora
1. In prior years, in an effort to increase milk production, increased feed was given to cows.
With the use of alkali water, the need of increasing feed was minimized.
2. Despite the pregnancy of the cow, the amount of milk production has not decreased.
In prior pregnancies, the amount of milk production had decreased. This was noted in 9 out of 10 cows.
3. The improved health condition of the cows along with the stronger legs have reduced the turnover of cows.
This has considerably improved the productivity life span of each cow.
H. Dairy Farm: No Name Given
Location: Mombetsu, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. T. Yamaguchi
1. The overall skin condition of each cow had improved dramatically.
2. The foul odors associated with excrements and urine were eliminated with the consumption of alkali water.
3. The farm was able to reduce the amount of mineral supplements that were being added to the diet on account of the alkali water.
4. The newly born calves have experienced no diarrhea.
I. Dairy Farm: Koizumi Ranch
Location: Kamikawa, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. T. Koizumi
1. The recovery period for cows giving birth had improved noticeably with the consumption of alkali water.
2. The cows have experienced increased appetite.
3. Despite the higher temperature during the Summer months, the milk output had increased dramatically.
4. The consumption of alkali water had stabilized the pH factor for each cow.
J. Dairy Farm: Honami MBB Ranch
Location: Joro, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. Y. Takigawa
1. There was a remarkable improvement in the quality of milk.
2. The cows increased their water intake which resulted in increased milk production.
3. The cows experienced reduced diarrhea conditions.
4. There was a remarkable improvement in the hair and skin texture of every cow.
K. Dairy Farm: Aneshi Ranch
Location: Esachi, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. K. Aneshi
1. Due to the consumption of alkali water and the improved immunity levels, there was lesser injuries to the cows' udders during the milking process.
2. The milk output had increased from 282 tons to 360 tons or a 28% increase.
3. It was a financially and economically-wise decision to use electrolysis alkali water.
L. Dairy Farm: Royal Farm
Location: Kamikawa, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. T. Sawamoto
1.The milk output had increased from a range of 7,000 to 7,300 kg to a higher output of 9,000 kg or a 28% increase.
2.Due to the unstable water condition, the farm had gone to electrolysis water. This decision ended up being a financially-wise decision.
M. Dairy Farm: Nogyo Kyosai Dairy Association
Location: Kushiro, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. M. Sugiyama
1. The use of alkali water has considerably reduced the number of sick cows and dramatically improved the health condition.
2. The farm has not measured all the positive effects brought about by the alkali water but on the other hand have not experienced any negative effects.
3. One noticeable difference was their improved digestion.
N. Dairy Farm: Okura Ranch
Location: Asahi-kawa, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. Y. Okura
1. The alkaline water has produced healthier cows.
There were no changes to the diet or the environment but the cows became healthier.
2. Increased their monthly sales by $20,000.00 through increased milk output.
(NOTE: There were no other comparative numbers provided to determine the actual increase in productivity levels.)
O. Dairy Farm: Aikawa Ranch
Location: Akan, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. M. Aikawa
1. The odors that are normally present in the urine and excrements were dramatically reduced.
2. The birthrate was considerably increased by the increase in fertility rate and the minimizing of stillborn calves.
3. There was a dramatic increase in milk production.
4. This farm is utilized as a model ranch in the use of alkali water.
P. Dairy Farm: Mitani Ranch
Location: Yubari, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. K. Mitani
1. Experienced 100% fertility and birth rates through artificial insemination.
Q. Dairy Farm: Ueda Ranch
Location: Akan, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. T. Ueda
1. The fortified calcium through the electrolysis water has strengthened the legs of the cows.
2. Due to the dramatically-improved health conditions, the quality of the milk has improved.
3. In the long run, the use of alkali water is a totally economical approach to the dairy industry.
R. Dairy Farm: Yamatani Ranch
Location: Kamikawa, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. M. Yamatani
1. The quality and quantity of the milk has improved considerably.
2. Considerably minimized the sickness rate of each cow.
3. Minimized diarrhea conditions.
4. An overall improvement was noted in every aspect of the dairy cow equating to better economic conditions.
S. Dairy Farm: Yamamoto Ranch
Location: Amashio, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. M. Yamatani
1. The milk output had increased from 317 tons to 393 tons or an increase of 24%
2. The cow became fertile with one month of giving birth.
3. There was a substantial reduction to the number of veterinary visits.
4. There was a noticeable increase in their appetites.
T. Dairy Farm: Saida Ranch
Location: Shirahata, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. K. Saida
1The milk output had increased from 8,641 kg to 10,1 77kg or an increase of 1 7.8%.
U. Dairy Farm: Fukagawa Ranch
Location: Joro, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. E. Fukagawa
1. There was a substantial reduction to the number of veterinary visits.
2. Reduced the swelling rate of the cows' legs.
3. Reduced the rate of external wounds caused by suction cups.
1. AI as Breeding Practices:-
AI (Artificial Insemination) is indeed a marvel of modern veterinary science. In US success rates of AI exceeding 80% are common, as also same cows delivering by AI more than ten calves in good Dairy farms is not an exception.
1.1.1 AI Experience in India
With best of our efforts in last 60 years, it has not been possible to achieve overall AI success rates better than 25% in India. Economic hardship of farmers due to extended dry period on account of deficient AI delivery has never been assessed by anybody in India.
1.1.2. Repeatedly failed AI cattle become infertile. Fibroids caused by lack of professional expertise of the AI provider staff, after a few calving renders good fertile cows incapable of future conception. Loss of good milk yielding cows due to infertility has also never been assessed in the Indian Animal Husbandry practice. By poor AI delivery apart from tremendous burden on farmers in feeding cows for the extended dry period, excellent milk cattle is being turned infertile.
In this way AI is helping the cow slaughter industry.
1.1.3. Inbreeding with AI is a well recognized problem in developed world Dairies also. In India as it is we have a lot of inbreeding trouble, AI is being performed for better cattle. But big potential loss of good cattle by inbreeding is inherent in AI.
1.1.4 - Spread of IBR by AI is a well established fact.
IBR (Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis) has been an uncontrollable Zoonotic disease. Indian veterinary experts have the data of 20000 animals from Military Farms, Gaushala, Two Coordinated projects and 50 PG studies on this disease from India in support of this observation. It is reaching human population in the form of Swine Flu, Dengue fever, H1N1 infection, Common Cold and Cough spreading like epidemics in colder seasons.
1.1.5. A more practical approach to AI in Indian context is not to overlook the advantages of Natural breeding methods. Normally when cost advantage of AI is demonstrated, the added cost born by the society to find resources for extended dry periods of cattle due to failed AI attempts, cost of cows rendered infertile due to improper AI operations are not taken in to calculations.
Overall total cost of natural breeding service under Indian conditions is far more advantageous than AI.
1.1.6. AI and ET –Embryo Transfer – techniques can be practiced under controlled expert institutions and larger Goshalas as support for the Field Services.
1.1.7. Govt. should consider shrinking its present infrastructure on AI straw production centers, and AI services, by taking a very pragmatic view of their performance in the last many decades under Indian conditions. Saving to the national exchequer and hardships being faced by poor cattle owning farmers will be very significant. Large number of good cows that become infertile due to poor AI delivery practice will also be saved.
2. Cross Breeding
In India large number of identifiable phenotypes of Indian breeds of cows had evolved to suit the natural conditions, over the last thousands of years. Let us not consciously loose this nature’s precious gift to our country.
2.1 Advantage of Indian Breeds.
It is in every veterinarians knowledge that our cows particularly Sindi, Sahiwal, Tharparkar have very heavy sweat glands,large dewlaps and very prominent humps. These physical attributes have evolved over the millennia and endow our cows to have very high ambient temperature sustainability compared to exotic HF and such cows. With global warming trends the entire world will be looking eagerly to import Indian breeds of cows. The existing trends to go in for Indian breeds of Cows for milk in Brazil, Israel and Australia are not mere accidents.
2.2. A2 Milk Advantage
In view of the modern researches about A2 milk, it will be prudent on the part of our Government to stop cross breeding with A1 type mainly HF semen.
3.1 Supply of Natural Breeding Bulls.
Government cattle research institutions should be encouraged to share with Goshalas and similar institutions , better pedigree A2 milk producing calves to be raised as good natural service Bulls.
The present practice of culling the unpromising Cows, Heifers, Male calves and Bulls by periodic disposal by Govt. institutions, should be reformed to share good young male and female stock with range and extension services for promoting breed improvement in the country.
3.2 Involve Goshalas.
It is our experience that there is great shortage of good natural service providing bulls in India. This can be met by providing good pedigree male calves for being raised as Natural Service Bulls. Goshalas and Gosadans should be actively involved in this Bull development work.
4. Feed Strategies
4.1 Green Fodder, Pasture is best
Modern veterinary research has been devoting great efforts to the subject of animal nutrition. Development of various concentrated feed formulations has been propelled by Dairy Industry interests. In Indian context hardly 15% of Indian Milk is in the organized Dairy Sector. It is not logical to let this 15% interest dictate the 85% . Modern Veterinary science can also benefit by understanding traditional cattle rearing practices of India. Hardly any attention is paid to the fact that Indians have the world’s oldest continuous animal husbandry tradition.
4.2 EFA Advantage
Green Fodder and self fed pasture practice results in the lowest cost of milk production and at the same time healthiest milk for human nutrition – low in total fats and high in EFA contents.
4.3 Concentrated Feed Formulations
A very cautious approach is also required to develop alternative cattle feed formulations based on preparing artificially extracted and developed cattle feed constituents. It is very difficult to assess the long term usage effects that may prove harmful in the long run. Very minute quantities of toxins such as HCN carried forward from GM seeds are known to cause immense damage to cattle health and milk productivity. Even the best of commercial enterprises are known to overlook such minute details in their supplies. Thus the traditional Indian self prepared formulations always prove more reliable.
4.4 Indian Traditional Knowledge
Indian knowledge based on thousands of years of practice has always advocated pasture based green fodder. This results in higher milk yields and reduced total fat content of milk, but at the same time enhancing the EFF.The latest researches and practices in NZ, Lipgene project in EU, and researches of Prof. William A. Albrecht of University of Missouri, Columbia are there to support this proposition.
4.5 Low Milk yield Green Fodder Connection.
Experts have been advising about effects of Heat Stress and exotic cross bred cattle as the main reason for wide annual fluctuation in milk productivity of cattle in India. But even the Indian breeds of Milk cows have been observed to show very similar annual milk production variation. A study of our closely monitored herd over last ten years indicates that loss in milk production of Cattle in India is very closely related to non availability of adequate good Fresh Green Fodder throughout the year. Just by making green fodder available throughout the year a minimum 20% increase of milk production can be achieved.
4.6 Enhancing Green Fodder Availability
Problem- Pastures: Develop Waste land Pastures.
This indeed is the greatest challenge for multidiscipline innovative research intervention for experts and business houses to take up, and develop a well managed pasture system in India. This also presents a win win opportunity for everybody. Tremendous social, political and commercial advantages that will also result from success of this strategy can hardly be exaggerated. Lot of research in traditional fodder crops and grasses has been going on in many research institutions. But pressure on cultivable land to produce food and horticulture crops for human consumption makes green fodder cultivation very uneconomical use of cultivable land. Almost total loss of Pastures makes it very difficult to depend on grasses. Vagaries of weather, shortage of irrigation water also affect green fodder availability.
4.7 Development of perennial leaf Fodder Trees for harvesting by pollarding/coppicing should be paid more attention, in different climate zones of India.
4.8 Development of Blue Green Algae such Azolla should also form an important constituent of green fodder for cattle.
4.9 Hydroponics Fodder:-
Indian experience with Hydroponics fodder with imported Fometa devices nearly twenty years ago due to inept handling, was given up as a bad dream. World over Hydroponics fodder is considered a very important Green highly nutritive, high digestibility cattle feed alternative strategy. By vertical growing it improves land use nearly 200 times and reduces irrigation water requirement to mere 5% of normal cultivation and completely immune from vagaries of weather.
We can develop our own Hydroponics Fodder device designs in India to suit various climate zones. As practiced abroad, for India it is not necessary to use air-conditioning and artificial lighting to grow Hydroponics Fodder. It is also possible to avoid use of chlorine as sanitizing agent against fungus problems. Combined with a Biogas plant a Hydroponics Fodder system is a completely green energy based fodder production method for Indian conditions. Just two kg/day of any coarse grain can provide a complete highly digestible & nutritious balanced cattle feed for an average Indian cow, throughout the year.
5. Drinking Water for Cattle
On drinking water Rig Veda in 10.169.1 says
" पीवस्वतीर्जीवधन्या: पिबन्त्ववसाय" Provide drinking water for cows drinking that will be thankfully received even by humans.
Although with problems of good clean drinking water availability for humans, the requirements of good quality drinking water hardly ever receives any attention.
But considering the fact that low productivity and poor fertility are severely faced problems with our cattle, attention is being increasingly given to this subject.
By making changes in water quality alone up to 27% increase in Milk production has been demonstrated in the case studies cited below.
For the Organized Dairy sector that can not only afford but is willing to go an extra mile to achieve better health and productivity , following information will be found very educative.
There are also possibilities of developing more cost effective strategies to provide better drinking water for our cows. This can be a subject for a specialized, India specific, subgroup to research and work upon.
Use of Alkaline Water on Dairy Farms
Reports from 27 Dairy farms using alkali water.
As prepared for IonLife International
With the advent of electrolysis water treatment in the Japanese marketplace, electrolysis alkaline water was introduced into the dairy farms.
This is now beginning to impact on dairy farms in the USA and other countries (See IonLife's Dairy Farm Proposal).
In Japan, knowing the positive health benefits and results that were acquired through human consumption, alkaline water was used in place of tap water as the sole source of water for dairy cows.
The results of this water usage is reported in the subsequent findings. The information was obtained through 27 dairy farms along with a report from a group of veterinarians. The source of each report is identified at the beginning of each report.
In general, the following measurable conditions were noted:
1. An increase in milk output by 18% - 28%.
2. A notable improvement in the quality of milk.
3. Elimination of strong feces and urine odors.
4. Healthier skin condition.
5. Minimized injury to the udder.
6. Decrease in diarrhea cases.
7. Strengthening of the legs.
8. Increased appetite.
9. Able to reduce mineral supplements normally added to the feed.
10. Due to an improved health condition coupled with stronger legs,
extended the productive life span of the cows.
11. Improved the fertility rate and reduced still births in new-born calves.
Aside from the above, the following opinions were noted by the veterinarians:
1. A noticeably increased appetite; no new supplements were added to their diet.
Increase in appetite noted in older cows also.
2. Well digested foods.
3. A beautiful sheen on the cows' hair.
4. Higher fertility rate; higher pregnancy rate.
5. A new-born calf exposed to alkali water matures quicker.
6. A dramatic increase in milk production.
7. Improved liver condition.
8. Strengthened legs.
9. Minimizing of sicknesses; tremendously improved health condition.
10. No adverse conditions noted with the consumption of alkali water. Lesser visits made by veterinarians.
The following are individual findings that have been noted by each dairy farmer that have replaced tap water with alkali water.
A. Dairy Farm: Kasahara Ranch
Location: Nomura, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. G. Kasahara
1. The milk output had increase from 7,000kg o 8,900kg or an increase of 27%.
2. The use of the alkali water had instilled a preventive approach to the overall health condition of the dairy cow in lieu of reactive medical means.
The overall health condition of the herd had improved dramatically.
B. Dairy Farm: Shikawa Ranch
Location: Momembetsu, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. T. Shikawa
1. There was a noticeable improvement in the quality of the milk.
2. Despite the high temperature during the Summer months, the milk output had increased dramatically.
During the previous Summer months, milk output had declined.
C. Dairy Farm: Sudo Ranch
Location: Munetani, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. M. Sudo
NOTE: Unlike other dairy farms, this farmer had discontinued the use of alkali water to measure the effects of returning to normal tap water.
The following were the effects that were noted:
1.The strong odors associated with cow excrements had returned after a period of time when the foul odor had been eliminated through the consumption of alkali water.
2.The sheen that was once present on the cows had disappeared and the hair had returned to a lackluster condition.
3.The frequency of diarrhea had increased.
4.Weakness was noticed in the cows legs as opposed to the strengthening of the cows' legs during the use of alkali water.
D. Dairy Farm: Takahashi Ranch
Location: Notsuke, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. Takahashi.
1.The sickness rate was considerably reduced.
E. Dairy Farm: Hamanasu Ranch
Location: Mombetsu, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. S. Nakagawa.
1. The coloring of the udder became extremely healthy.
2. Due to the alkali consumption and it's natural healing ability, the amount of injury to the udder had diminished.
3. The milk output has increased by 800 kg per cow.
(NOTE: since there was no "before and after" numbers provided the percentage of increase could not be determined.)
F. Dairy Farm: Karita Ranch
Location: Notsuke, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. H. Karita
1. The results were excellent in every manner.
Milk production was considerably higher, the sickness rate was down, problems associated with diarrhea were minimized, the foul odor from the excrement was gone, the cow's appetite was up, the sheen on the cows' hair was considerably higher and the overall quality of the milk was up.
G. Dairy Farm: Sunnydale Ranch
Location: Hyotsu, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. M. Danshora
1. In prior years, in an effort to increase milk production, increased feed was given to cows.
With the use of alkali water, the need of increasing feed was minimized.
2. Despite the pregnancy of the cow, the amount of milk production has not decreased.
In prior pregnancies, the amount of milk production had decreased. This was noted in 9 out of 10 cows.
3. The improved health condition of the cows along with the stronger legs have reduced the turnover of cows.
This has considerably improved the productivity life span of each cow.
H. Dairy Farm: No Name Given
Location: Mombetsu, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. T. Yamaguchi
1. The overall skin condition of each cow had improved dramatically.
2. The foul odors associated with excrements and urine were eliminated with the consumption of alkali water.
3. The farm was able to reduce the amount of mineral supplements that were being added to the diet on account of the alkali water.
4. The newly born calves have experienced no diarrhea.
I. Dairy Farm: Koizumi Ranch
Location: Kamikawa, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. T. Koizumi
1. The recovery period for cows giving birth had improved noticeably with the consumption of alkali water.
2. The cows have experienced increased appetite.
3. Despite the higher temperature during the Summer months, the milk output had increased dramatically.
4. The consumption of alkali water had stabilized the pH factor for each cow.
J. Dairy Farm: Honami MBB Ranch
Location: Joro, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. Y. Takigawa
1. There was a remarkable improvement in the quality of milk.
2. The cows increased their water intake which resulted in increased milk production.
3. The cows experienced reduced diarrhea conditions.
4. There was a remarkable improvement in the hair and skin texture of every cow.
K. Dairy Farm: Aneshi Ranch
Location: Esachi, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. K. Aneshi
1. Due to the consumption of alkali water and the improved immunity levels, there was lesser injuries to the cows' udders during the milking process.
2. The milk output had increased from 282 tons to 360 tons or a 28% increase.
3. It was a financially and economically-wise decision to use electrolysis alkali water.
L. Dairy Farm: Royal Farm
Location: Kamikawa, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. T. Sawamoto
1.The milk output had increased from a range of 7,000 to 7,300 kg to a higher output of 9,000 kg or a 28% increase.
2.Due to the unstable water condition, the farm had gone to electrolysis water. This decision ended up being a financially-wise decision.
M. Dairy Farm: Nogyo Kyosai Dairy Association
Location: Kushiro, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. M. Sugiyama
1. The use of alkali water has considerably reduced the number of sick cows and dramatically improved the health condition.
2. The farm has not measured all the positive effects brought about by the alkali water but on the other hand have not experienced any negative effects.
3. One noticeable difference was their improved digestion.
N. Dairy Farm: Okura Ranch
Location: Asahi-kawa, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. Y. Okura
1. The alkaline water has produced healthier cows.
There were no changes to the diet or the environment but the cows became healthier.
2. Increased their monthly sales by $20,000.00 through increased milk output.
(NOTE: There were no other comparative numbers provided to determine the actual increase in productivity levels.)
O. Dairy Farm: Aikawa Ranch
Location: Akan, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. M. Aikawa
1. The odors that are normally present in the urine and excrements were dramatically reduced.
2. The birthrate was considerably increased by the increase in fertility rate and the minimizing of stillborn calves.
3. There was a dramatic increase in milk production.
4. This farm is utilized as a model ranch in the use of alkali water.
P. Dairy Farm: Mitani Ranch
Location: Yubari, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. K. Mitani
1. Experienced 100% fertility and birth rates through artificial insemination.
Q. Dairy Farm: Ueda Ranch
Location: Akan, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. T. Ueda
1. The fortified calcium through the electrolysis water has strengthened the legs of the cows.
2. Due to the dramatically-improved health conditions, the quality of the milk has improved.
3. In the long run, the use of alkali water is a totally economical approach to the dairy industry.
R. Dairy Farm: Yamatani Ranch
Location: Kamikawa, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. M. Yamatani
1. The quality and quantity of the milk has improved considerably.
2. Considerably minimized the sickness rate of each cow.
3. Minimized diarrhea conditions.
4. An overall improvement was noted in every aspect of the dairy cow equating to better economic conditions.
S. Dairy Farm: Yamamoto Ranch
Location: Amashio, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. M. Yamatani
1. The milk output had increased from 317 tons to 393 tons or an increase of 24%
2. The cow became fertile with one month of giving birth.
3. There was a substantial reduction to the number of veterinary visits.
4. There was a noticeable increase in their appetites.
T. Dairy Farm: Saida Ranch
Location: Shirahata, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. K. Saida
1The milk output had increased from 8,641 kg to 10,1 77kg or an increase of 1 7.8%.
U. Dairy Farm: Fukagawa Ranch
Location: Joro, Hokkaido
Spokesperson: Mr. E. Fukagawa
1. There was a substantial reduction to the number of veterinary visits.
2. Reduced the swelling rate of the cows' legs.
3. Reduced the rate of external wounds caused by suction cups.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
CCHF -Do not cross breed Indian cows indiscriminately
CCHF
CCHF is a zoonotic disease that spreads to human’s through ticks more so from domesticated in animals such as cows etc. It is very significant here to remind ourselves that Indian breeds of cows have their sweat glands spread all over the body. With the sweat the skin oil exuded by Indian cows act as natural repellaet for ticks. Thus one important observation is known to veterinary experts that Indian breeds of cows are free of ticks. From WHO reported distribution of CCHF in the world it is clear that this disease is more widespread in areas that do not have Bos Indicus the ancient breed of cows- basically the Indian breeds of cows.
In this finding Indian veterinary experts are urged to rethink about their strategies on cross breeding of Indian cows with exotic Bos Taurus breeds.
In India CCHF cases have been reported to be emanating from Gujarat, headquarters of India’s white revolution and great promoters of HF for cross breeding of Indian breeds of cows.
It would be far more sensible to promote Gir breed in India rather than embark on short sighted HF cross breeding to increase average milk yield of Indian Cows.
(See clipping below from WHO note on CCHF )
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever transmitted by ticks. It can be responsible for severe outbreaks in humans but it is not pathogenic for ruminants, their amplifying host.
The disease was first described in the Crimea in 1944 and given the name Crimean haemorrhagic fever. In 1969 it was recognized that the pathogen causing Crimean haemorrhagic fever was the same as that responsible for an illness identified in 1956 in the Congo, and linkage of the two place names resulted in the current name for the disease and the virus.
CCHF spreads to humans either by tick-bites, or through contact with viraemic animal tissues during and immediately post-slaughter. CCHF outbreaks constitute a threat to public health services because of its epidemic potential, its high case fatality ratio (10-40%), its potential for nosocomial outbreaks and the difficulties in treatment and prevention. CCHF is endemic in all of Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and in Asia south of the 50° parallel north, the geographic limit of the genus Hyalomma, the principal tick vector
CCHF is a zoonotic disease that spreads to human’s through ticks more so from domesticated in animals such as cows etc. It is very significant here to remind ourselves that Indian breeds of cows have their sweat glands spread all over the body. With the sweat the skin oil exuded by Indian cows act as natural repellaet for ticks. Thus one important observation is known to veterinary experts that Indian breeds of cows are free of ticks. From WHO reported distribution of CCHF in the world it is clear that this disease is more widespread in areas that do not have Bos Indicus the ancient breed of cows- basically the Indian breeds of cows.
In this finding Indian veterinary experts are urged to rethink about their strategies on cross breeding of Indian cows with exotic Bos Taurus breeds.
In India CCHF cases have been reported to be emanating from Gujarat, headquarters of India’s white revolution and great promoters of HF for cross breeding of Indian breeds of cows.
It would be far more sensible to promote Gir breed in India rather than embark on short sighted HF cross breeding to increase average milk yield of Indian Cows.
(See clipping below from WHO note on CCHF )
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever transmitted by ticks. It can be responsible for severe outbreaks in humans but it is not pathogenic for ruminants, their amplifying host.
The disease was first described in the Crimea in 1944 and given the name Crimean haemorrhagic fever. In 1969 it was recognized that the pathogen causing Crimean haemorrhagic fever was the same as that responsible for an illness identified in 1956 in the Congo, and linkage of the two place names resulted in the current name for the disease and the virus.
CCHF spreads to humans either by tick-bites, or through contact with viraemic animal tissues during and immediately post-slaughter. CCHF outbreaks constitute a threat to public health services because of its epidemic potential, its high case fatality ratio (10-40%), its potential for nosocomial outbreaks and the difficulties in treatment and prevention. CCHF is endemic in all of Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and in Asia south of the 50° parallel north, the geographic limit of the genus Hyalomma, the principal tick vector
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Cow Milk Strategy for India
Cow Milk Strategy for India
(subodh Kumar-Email: subodh1934@gmail.com)
1. India has the world’s oldest domesticated pasture cow tradition. Modern scientific researches and Indian belief both confirm that Milk of a cow of Indian breed, fed on greens is indeed nature’s best gift to mankind.
Modern researches have confirmed that :-
1. 1 Grass fed Cow’s milk is very rich in EFA’ (Essential Fatty Acids) viz. CLA’s (Conjugated Linolenic and Linoleic Acids). Such milk has low saturated fatty acid content. ( Same is true for beef also .) This is universally accepted as a strategy by USDA, and EU Lipgene project. Omega 3 is the more important constituent of Grass fed Cow’s milk, particularly for brain and eyes.
1.2 Cows of Indian breeds (Bos Indicus) are recognized as
producers of A2 type milk , as against cows of HF(Holstein
Frisians) Bos Taurus group that produce A1 type of milk .
(World Dairy industry led by NZ farmers - the leaders in
this field- are reported to be implementing a program to
convert all NZ herd to A2 type milk producer by stopping
cross breeding with HF A1 semen.
(Could the resulting low world demand for HF semen be the reason for very attractive generous offers for supply of HF semen by USA to India, that Indian Govt. has very quickly agreed to import?)
2. Opportunity & Challenge
This presents for India a great opportunity to build on the tremendous strength of our nation, already the largest producer of Milk in the world.
2.1 Indian breeds of cows represent the world’s largest A2
milk producing herd. Traditionally Indians have been raised
on A2 Milk for thousands of years. That accounts for
excellent health and mental abilities of Indians.
2.2 In preference over cross bred cow’s milk or buffalo
Milk of Indian breeds of Cows enjoys excellent USP in
India. This presents tremendous commercial opportunity.
2.3 Per capita consumption and availability of liquid milk in
India is about the lowest in the world and has a fantastic
Demand Potential. This is where a tremendous challenge to
Animal Science experts of India, and the greatest
economical development opportunity for India exists.
PROPOSED STRATEGY
Marketing
3.1. A2 Milk
Milk of only Indian breeds of Cows, ( Confirmed by laboratory type testing as being free from BCM 7(Beta Caso Morphine 7) from a DNA tested herd, for A2 milk should be supplied as separate Milk, not mixed with Buffalo or A1 HF milk. States such as Gujarat that produce large quantities of natural A2 Milk from its Gir cows fit excellently well to take a lead . Pure milk of Indian breeds of Cows commands very good premium prices in India.
3.2 Low fat A2 milk as the premium grade A2 milk, can
command very high premium prices and cater to better informed clientele not only in India but around the world.
EU under its Lipgene project is conducting research
simultaneously in 21 laboratories in Europe to produce designer’s natural milk that has low total fat and high EFA content.
Indian cows were traditionally pasture fed. (Stall feeding of cattle and concentrated prepared feed is a rather recent development from Indian point of View.)
Cows raised in Pastures as reported in Kautilya’s Arth Shastr had total fat content of less than 1%. This is when Cow’s Milk was truly Amrit- Nature’s Nectar- a preventive and cure for all self degenerating diseases of human body. Taking guidance from our ancient cow management practices in Vedas and other Sanskrit texts, it is not difficult for us in India to produce within foreseeable future, a ‘Designer’s Milk’ with low total fat content. By reducing fat content, the milk yield also goes up.
Indians over thousands of years had enjoyed such low fat high EFA , A2 type Milk of Indian cows. The high Omega 3 content of this milk explains the secret of the well recognized highly developed capacity of Indian brains in the world.
Low in total Fat & high EFA Milk of Indian breeds of Cows will be the most highly prized A2 milk from commercial considerations.
3.3 A2 Milk Based Infant food.
A2 milk is considered most important for baby food and milk
formulae. This presents India with an excellent commercial
opportunity to become a world leader in Infant milk food
supplies.
4. Research & Development Work
It is concede that Indian breeds of cows are in general very low milk producers . India thus faces extreme shortage of Cow’s Milk. This situation can be changed over a period of time with sincere efforts , by improving the green fodder availability and breeding with pedigree Bulls. ET and AI in controlled manner can also be of great help.
4.1 AI as Breeding Practices :-
AI (Artificial Insemination) is indeed a marvel of modern veterinary science. In US success rates of AI exceeding 80% , as also same cows delivering more than ten calves in good Dairy farms is not an exception.
4.1.1 AI Experience in India
With best of our efforts in last 60 years, it has not been possible to achieve overall AI success rates better than 25% in India. Economic hardship of farmers due to extended dry period on account of deficient AI delivery has never been assessed by any body in India.
4.1.2. Repeatedly failed AI cattle become infertile. Fibroids caused by lack of professional expertise of the AI provider staff, after a few calving renders good fertile cows incapable of future conception. Loss of good milk yielding cows due to infertility has also never been assessed in the Indian Animal Husbandry practice. By poor AI delivery apart from tremendous burden on farmers in feeding cows for the extended dry period, excellent milk cattle is being turned infertile.
In this way AI is helping the cow slaughter industry.
4.1.3. Inbreeding with AI is a well recognized problem in developed world Dairies also. In India as it is we have a lot of inbreeding trouble, AI is being performed for better cattle. But big potential loss of good cattle by inbreeding is inherent in AI.
4.1.4. A more practical approach to AI in Indian context is not to overlook the advantages of Natural breeding methods.
Overall total cost of natural breeding service under Indian conditions is far more advantageous than AI.
4.1.5. AI and ET –Embryo Transfer – techniques can be practiced under controlled expert institutions and larger Goshalas as support for the Field Services.
4.1.6. Govt. should consider to shrink its present infrastructure on AI straw production centers, and AI services, by taking a very pragmatic view of their performance in the last many decades under Indian conditions. Saving to the national exchequer and hardships being faced by poor cattle owning farmers will be very significant. Large number of good cows that become infertile due to poor AI delivery practice will also be saved.
4.2 Cross Breeding
In India large number of identifiable phenotypes of Indian breeds of cows had evolved to suit the natural conditions, over the last thousands of years. Let us not consciously loose this nature’s precious gift to our country. In view of the modern researches about A2 milk, it will be prudent on the part of our Government to stop cross breeding with A1 type mainly HF semen.
4.2.1 Supply of Natural Breeding Bulls.
Government cattle research institutions should be encouraged to share with Goshalas and similar institutions , better pedigree A2 milk producing calves to be raised as good natural service Bulls.
The present practice of culling the unpromising Cows, Heifers, Male calves and Bulls by periodic disposal should be reformed to share good young male and female stock with range and extension services.
4.2.2 It is our experience that there is great shortage of good natural service providing bulls in India. This can be met by providing good pedigree male calves for being raised as Natural Service Bulls. Goshalas and Gosadans should be actively involved in this Bull development work.
5. Feed Strategies
5.1 Green Fodder, Pasture is best
Modern veterinary research has been devoting great efforts to the subject of animal nutrition. Development of various concentrated feed formulations has been propelled by Dairy Industry interests. In Indian context hardly 15% of Indian Milk is in the organized Dairy Sector. It is not logical to let this 15% interest dictate the 85% . Modern Veterinary science can also benefit by understanding traditional cattle rearing practices of India. Hardly any attention is paid to the fact that Indians have the world’s oldest continuous animal husbandry tradition.
5.1.1 Green Fodder and self fed pasture practice results in the lowest cost of milk production and at the same time healthiest milk for human nutrition – low in total fats and high in EFA contents.
5.1.2 A very cautious approach is also required to develop alternative cattle feed formulations based on preparing artificially extracted and developed cattle feed constituents. It is very difficult to assess the long term usage effects that may prove harmful in the long run.
5.1.3 Indian knowledge based on thousands of years of practice has always advocated pasture based green fodder. The latest researches and practices in NZ , Lipgene project in EU, and researches of Prof. William A. Albrecht of University of Missouri, Columbia are there to support this proposition.
5.2 Low Milk yield Green Fodder Connection.
Experts have been advising about effects of Heat Stress, and exotic cross bred cattle as the main reason for wide annual fluctuation in milk productivity of cattle in India. But even the Indian breeds of Milk cows have been observed to show very similar annual milk production variation. A study of our closely monitored herd over last ten years, indicates that loss in milk production of Cattle in India is very closely related to non availability of adequate good Fresh Green Fodder through out the year. Just by making green fodder available throughout the year a minimum 20% increase of milk production can be achieved. To support this hypothesis the milk production variation over last ten years in our Goshala is attached.(Annex-1)
5.3 Enhancing Green Fodder Availability
Problem- land avaialabilty: This indeed is the greatest challenge for multidiscipline innovative research intervention for experts and business houses to take up. This also presents a win win opportunity for every body. Tremendous social, political and commercial advantages that will also result from success of this strategy can hardly be exaggerated. Lot of research in traditional fodder crops and grasses has been going on in many research institutions. But pressure on cultivable land to produce food and horticulture crops for human consumption makes green fodder cultivation very uneconomical use of cultivable land. Almost total loss of Pastures makes it very difficult to depend on grasses. Vagaries of weather, shortage of irrigation water also affect green fodder availability.
5.3.1 Development of perennial leaf Fodder Trees for harvesting by pollarding/coppicing should be paid more attention , in different climate zones of India.
5.3.2 Development of Blue Green Algae such Azolla should also form an important constituent of green fodder for cattle.
5.3.3 Hydroponics Fodder :-
Indian experience with Hydroponics fodder with imported Fometa devices nearly twenty years ago due to inept handling , was given up as a bad dream. World over Hydroponics fodder is considered a very important Green highly nutritive, high digestibility cattle feed alternative strategy. By vertical growing it improves land use nearly 200 times and reduces irrigation water requirement to mere 5% of normal cultivation and completely immune from vagaries of weather.
We can develop our own Hydroponics Fodder device designs in India to suit various climate zones. As practiced abroad, for India it is not necessary to use air-conditioning and artificial lighting to grow Hydroponics Fodder . It is also possible to avoid use of chlorine as sanitizing agent against fungus problems. Combined with a Biogas plant a Hydroponics Fodder system is a completely green energy based fodder production method for Indian conditions. Just two kg/day of any coarse grain can provide a complete highly digestible & nutritious balanced cattle feed for an average Indian cow, through out the year.
Post Script:-This submission is based on over 15 years of past practical experience at Maharishi Dayanand Gosamwardhan Kendra located in East Delhi. We have a herd of about 500 cows, a daily milk production of about 800 Liters. We have also been engaged in Hydroponics Fodder production experimental work over last 5 years.
(subodh Kumar-Email: subodh1934@gmail.com)
1. India has the world’s oldest domesticated pasture cow tradition. Modern scientific researches and Indian belief both confirm that Milk of a cow of Indian breed, fed on greens is indeed nature’s best gift to mankind.
Modern researches have confirmed that :-
1. 1 Grass fed Cow’s milk is very rich in EFA’ (Essential Fatty Acids) viz. CLA’s (Conjugated Linolenic and Linoleic Acids). Such milk has low saturated fatty acid content. ( Same is true for beef also .) This is universally accepted as a strategy by USDA, and EU Lipgene project. Omega 3 is the more important constituent of Grass fed Cow’s milk, particularly for brain and eyes.
1.2 Cows of Indian breeds (Bos Indicus) are recognized as
producers of A2 type milk , as against cows of HF(Holstein
Frisians) Bos Taurus group that produce A1 type of milk .
(World Dairy industry led by NZ farmers - the leaders in
this field- are reported to be implementing a program to
convert all NZ herd to A2 type milk producer by stopping
cross breeding with HF A1 semen.
(Could the resulting low world demand for HF semen be the reason for very attractive generous offers for supply of HF semen by USA to India, that Indian Govt. has very quickly agreed to import?)
2. Opportunity & Challenge
This presents for India a great opportunity to build on the tremendous strength of our nation, already the largest producer of Milk in the world.
2.1 Indian breeds of cows represent the world’s largest A2
milk producing herd. Traditionally Indians have been raised
on A2 Milk for thousands of years. That accounts for
excellent health and mental abilities of Indians.
2.2 In preference over cross bred cow’s milk or buffalo
Milk of Indian breeds of Cows enjoys excellent USP in
India. This presents tremendous commercial opportunity.
2.3 Per capita consumption and availability of liquid milk in
India is about the lowest in the world and has a fantastic
Demand Potential. This is where a tremendous challenge to
Animal Science experts of India, and the greatest
economical development opportunity for India exists.
PROPOSED STRATEGY
Marketing
3.1. A2 Milk
Milk of only Indian breeds of Cows, ( Confirmed by laboratory type testing as being free from BCM 7(Beta Caso Morphine 7) from a DNA tested herd, for A2 milk should be supplied as separate Milk, not mixed with Buffalo or A1 HF milk. States such as Gujarat that produce large quantities of natural A2 Milk from its Gir cows fit excellently well to take a lead . Pure milk of Indian breeds of Cows commands very good premium prices in India.
3.2 Low fat A2 milk as the premium grade A2 milk, can
command very high premium prices and cater to better informed clientele not only in India but around the world.
EU under its Lipgene project is conducting research
simultaneously in 21 laboratories in Europe to produce designer’s natural milk that has low total fat and high EFA content.
Indian cows were traditionally pasture fed. (Stall feeding of cattle and concentrated prepared feed is a rather recent development from Indian point of View.)
Cows raised in Pastures as reported in Kautilya’s Arth Shastr had total fat content of less than 1%. This is when Cow’s Milk was truly Amrit- Nature’s Nectar- a preventive and cure for all self degenerating diseases of human body. Taking guidance from our ancient cow management practices in Vedas and other Sanskrit texts, it is not difficult for us in India to produce within foreseeable future, a ‘Designer’s Milk’ with low total fat content. By reducing fat content, the milk yield also goes up.
Indians over thousands of years had enjoyed such low fat high EFA , A2 type Milk of Indian cows. The high Omega 3 content of this milk explains the secret of the well recognized highly developed capacity of Indian brains in the world.
Low in total Fat & high EFA Milk of Indian breeds of Cows will be the most highly prized A2 milk from commercial considerations.
3.3 A2 Milk Based Infant food.
A2 milk is considered most important for baby food and milk
formulae. This presents India with an excellent commercial
opportunity to become a world leader in Infant milk food
supplies.
4. Research & Development Work
It is concede that Indian breeds of cows are in general very low milk producers . India thus faces extreme shortage of Cow’s Milk. This situation can be changed over a period of time with sincere efforts , by improving the green fodder availability and breeding with pedigree Bulls. ET and AI in controlled manner can also be of great help.
4.1 AI as Breeding Practices :-
AI (Artificial Insemination) is indeed a marvel of modern veterinary science. In US success rates of AI exceeding 80% , as also same cows delivering more than ten calves in good Dairy farms is not an exception.
4.1.1 AI Experience in India
With best of our efforts in last 60 years, it has not been possible to achieve overall AI success rates better than 25% in India. Economic hardship of farmers due to extended dry period on account of deficient AI delivery has never been assessed by any body in India.
4.1.2. Repeatedly failed AI cattle become infertile. Fibroids caused by lack of professional expertise of the AI provider staff, after a few calving renders good fertile cows incapable of future conception. Loss of good milk yielding cows due to infertility has also never been assessed in the Indian Animal Husbandry practice. By poor AI delivery apart from tremendous burden on farmers in feeding cows for the extended dry period, excellent milk cattle is being turned infertile.
In this way AI is helping the cow slaughter industry.
4.1.3. Inbreeding with AI is a well recognized problem in developed world Dairies also. In India as it is we have a lot of inbreeding trouble, AI is being performed for better cattle. But big potential loss of good cattle by inbreeding is inherent in AI.
4.1.4. A more practical approach to AI in Indian context is not to overlook the advantages of Natural breeding methods.
Overall total cost of natural breeding service under Indian conditions is far more advantageous than AI.
4.1.5. AI and ET –Embryo Transfer – techniques can be practiced under controlled expert institutions and larger Goshalas as support for the Field Services.
4.1.6. Govt. should consider to shrink its present infrastructure on AI straw production centers, and AI services, by taking a very pragmatic view of their performance in the last many decades under Indian conditions. Saving to the national exchequer and hardships being faced by poor cattle owning farmers will be very significant. Large number of good cows that become infertile due to poor AI delivery practice will also be saved.
4.2 Cross Breeding
In India large number of identifiable phenotypes of Indian breeds of cows had evolved to suit the natural conditions, over the last thousands of years. Let us not consciously loose this nature’s precious gift to our country. In view of the modern researches about A2 milk, it will be prudent on the part of our Government to stop cross breeding with A1 type mainly HF semen.
4.2.1 Supply of Natural Breeding Bulls.
Government cattle research institutions should be encouraged to share with Goshalas and similar institutions , better pedigree A2 milk producing calves to be raised as good natural service Bulls.
The present practice of culling the unpromising Cows, Heifers, Male calves and Bulls by periodic disposal should be reformed to share good young male and female stock with range and extension services.
4.2.2 It is our experience that there is great shortage of good natural service providing bulls in India. This can be met by providing good pedigree male calves for being raised as Natural Service Bulls. Goshalas and Gosadans should be actively involved in this Bull development work.
5. Feed Strategies
5.1 Green Fodder, Pasture is best
Modern veterinary research has been devoting great efforts to the subject of animal nutrition. Development of various concentrated feed formulations has been propelled by Dairy Industry interests. In Indian context hardly 15% of Indian Milk is in the organized Dairy Sector. It is not logical to let this 15% interest dictate the 85% . Modern Veterinary science can also benefit by understanding traditional cattle rearing practices of India. Hardly any attention is paid to the fact that Indians have the world’s oldest continuous animal husbandry tradition.
5.1.1 Green Fodder and self fed pasture practice results in the lowest cost of milk production and at the same time healthiest milk for human nutrition – low in total fats and high in EFA contents.
5.1.2 A very cautious approach is also required to develop alternative cattle feed formulations based on preparing artificially extracted and developed cattle feed constituents. It is very difficult to assess the long term usage effects that may prove harmful in the long run.
5.1.3 Indian knowledge based on thousands of years of practice has always advocated pasture based green fodder. The latest researches and practices in NZ , Lipgene project in EU, and researches of Prof. William A. Albrecht of University of Missouri, Columbia are there to support this proposition.
5.2 Low Milk yield Green Fodder Connection.
Experts have been advising about effects of Heat Stress, and exotic cross bred cattle as the main reason for wide annual fluctuation in milk productivity of cattle in India. But even the Indian breeds of Milk cows have been observed to show very similar annual milk production variation. A study of our closely monitored herd over last ten years, indicates that loss in milk production of Cattle in India is very closely related to non availability of adequate good Fresh Green Fodder through out the year. Just by making green fodder available throughout the year a minimum 20% increase of milk production can be achieved. To support this hypothesis the milk production variation over last ten years in our Goshala is attached.(Annex-1)
5.3 Enhancing Green Fodder Availability
Problem- land avaialabilty: This indeed is the greatest challenge for multidiscipline innovative research intervention for experts and business houses to take up. This also presents a win win opportunity for every body. Tremendous social, political and commercial advantages that will also result from success of this strategy can hardly be exaggerated. Lot of research in traditional fodder crops and grasses has been going on in many research institutions. But pressure on cultivable land to produce food and horticulture crops for human consumption makes green fodder cultivation very uneconomical use of cultivable land. Almost total loss of Pastures makes it very difficult to depend on grasses. Vagaries of weather, shortage of irrigation water also affect green fodder availability.
5.3.1 Development of perennial leaf Fodder Trees for harvesting by pollarding/coppicing should be paid more attention , in different climate zones of India.
5.3.2 Development of Blue Green Algae such Azolla should also form an important constituent of green fodder for cattle.
5.3.3 Hydroponics Fodder :-
Indian experience with Hydroponics fodder with imported Fometa devices nearly twenty years ago due to inept handling , was given up as a bad dream. World over Hydroponics fodder is considered a very important Green highly nutritive, high digestibility cattle feed alternative strategy. By vertical growing it improves land use nearly 200 times and reduces irrigation water requirement to mere 5% of normal cultivation and completely immune from vagaries of weather.
We can develop our own Hydroponics Fodder device designs in India to suit various climate zones. As practiced abroad, for India it is not necessary to use air-conditioning and artificial lighting to grow Hydroponics Fodder . It is also possible to avoid use of chlorine as sanitizing agent against fungus problems. Combined with a Biogas plant a Hydroponics Fodder system is a completely green energy based fodder production method for Indian conditions. Just two kg/day of any coarse grain can provide a complete highly digestible & nutritious balanced cattle feed for an average Indian cow, through out the year.
Post Script:-This submission is based on over 15 years of past practical experience at Maharishi Dayanand Gosamwardhan Kendra located in East Delhi. We have a herd of about 500 cows, a daily milk production of about 800 Liters. We have also been engaged in Hydroponics Fodder production experimental work over last 5 years.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monday, October 5, 2009
Importance of Indian Breeds of Cows
Importance of Indian Breeds of Cows
- TB in Cows
Press report in Times of India 28th Sep 2009, informs that at Anand in Gujarat , 60 HF cows had been found positive in TB tests. This is a cause for worry about safety of Indian Dairy Milk.
Milk of Cows suffering from TB can spread TB to Humans. In Europe and USA there is a system of culling such cows and sending them to slaughter houses. Although the cows suffering from TB in Anand are reported to have been shifted to Ahmadabad, but there no word about what actions are proposed next. Unlike Europe and USA, in India it may not be easy to transfer TB cows to slaughter houses.
Importance of Indian breeds of cows for India needs to be appreciated and given as much protection as a matter of Govt. policy as possible as possible.
In the past pasteurization was considered a technological miracle that could destroy all pathogens/disease carrying organisms in Milk. Of course pasteurization affects all living organisms in Milk and damages the useful nutritive enzymes also in the process planned to eliminate pathogens. Thus pasteurization is not considered a good process, but is perhaps unavoidable for a Dairy system. Age old wisdom is always valid, that all efforts should be directed to ensure a 'clean' milk system so that pasteurization can be avoided as far as possible.
Indian Vedic Tradition:
The very first mantra in Yajurveda says "may our cows be free of TB". The second mantra describes in detail the perquisites of good environments to ensure healthy living conditions.
First is abundance of greenery around, next comes plenty of Sunshine, next is Raw Earth for being tread upon, and finally regular performance of Homa to keep the atmosphere free from air borne infections..
Indian Breeds disease resistant
It is a well acknowledged fact that Indian breeds of cows normally have much higher disease resistance than Cross Bred Cows. Mastitis is also a very common problem with HF and cross bred cows under Indian conditions..
These high milk yielding cows are also very prone to suffer heat stress under warm Indian climate. Cross bred cows compared to Indian breeds of Cows, not only need very good nourishment but also need cooler and more comfortable environment. These special conditions can be provided only in well organized dairy farms. In India by and large our Dairy Industry is based on Milk collection from small rural cattle owners. For small rural farmers to ensure that their cattle are not suffering from TB becomes more difficult under the current Govt Veterinary Breeding programs that only encourage cross breeding of Indian cows with HF breeds. There are also no screening tests feasible for detecting TB infected milk at the milk collection centers. This makes the entire Indian Dairy Milk supply a possible source of transfer of TB to human community. There fore all efforts must made to ensure eradication of TB in our cows. It may kindly be considered if a BCG type TB eradication campaign for cattle should be put in place.
This fact also bears repeating that Indian breeds of cows, in households, are not liable to have TB in general, otherwise TB would have been very rampant in Indian rural areas that have a tradition of maintaining household cows.
A2 milk BCM7 consideration
World Dairy scientists have also discovered that BCM7 ( Beta Caso Morphine 7) a highly toxic opioid, is found in Milk of HF cows. This milk is designated as type A1 and has been found to be strongly linked with very large number of human diseases. Starting from Autism and Pediatric diabetes, Milk of HF cows has also been found to have strong association with occurrence of Cardiac Artery diseases, Diabetes, Arthritis, Arteriosclerosis, Alzheimer, and Parkinson.
Milk of Bos Indicus cattle ie. Indian breeds of cows, and Jersey, Guernsey, Icelandic cows, Yak and Sheep has also been reported to be immune to these diseases. Milk which is free from BCM7 is designated as type A2 Milk.
Dairy farmers around the world have on their own initiatives started breeding their cattle for producing A2 milk.
Upgrading Indian Cows
1. Cross breeding option:
Susceptibility of HF cross bred cows to higher incidence of Mastitis, TB and higher heat stress, in addition to BCM7, makes a strong case to reconsider the policy, cross breeding of Indian cows with HF. American veterinarians are already reported to be working on strategy to genetically modify HF cows to produce BCM7 free milk. Till such time as genetically modified HF cows are a reality, for upgrading the low yielding Indian cows, use of exotic Jersey and Guernsey breeds will still be an option .
2.Natural upgrading:
100 days Pre Partum and Post Partum care , along with breeding with good pedigree bulls has shown significant upgrading in health and Milk yield of Indian breeds of Cows.
3.Green Fodder:
Natural feed for cows is Green Fodder. Greater effort is needed for better technological interventions by Hydroponics Fodder, Coppicing of perennial leaf fodder trees , and Marine algae such as Azolla.
Greed for higher milk yield from HF cross bred cows should not be at the cost of spreading more disease in the Indian society. Milk yield of Indian breeds of cows is already being successfully improved upon by better feeds, health care and better veterinary practices.
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