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
Thursday, February 3, 2011
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.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The very first mantra in Yajurved 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.
Recent press report from Anand in Gujarat , that 60 HF cows had been found positive in TB tests, is 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.
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 cows.
These high milk yielding cows 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 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 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.
Already World Dairy scientists have discovered that BCM7 ( Beta Caso Morphine 7)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 has been reported to immune to these diseases. This milk which is free from BCM7 is designated as type A2 Milk.
Dairy farmers around the world have on their own started breeding their cattle for producing A2 milk.
This susceptibility of HF cross bred cows to higher incidence of Mastitis, TB and higher heat stress, in addition to BCM7 , is a very strong argument to discontinue cross breeding of Indian cows with HF.
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.
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.
Recent press report from Anand in Gujarat , that 60 HF cows had been found positive in TB tests, is 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.
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 cows.
These high milk yielding cows 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 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 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.
Already World Dairy scientists have discovered that BCM7 ( Beta Caso Morphine 7)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 has been reported to immune to these diseases. This milk which is free from BCM7 is designated as type A2 Milk.
Dairy farmers around the world have on their own started breeding their cattle for producing A2 milk.
This susceptibility of HF cross bred cows to higher incidence of Mastitis, TB and higher heat stress, in addition to BCM7 , is a very strong argument to discontinue cross breeding of Indian cows with HF.
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.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Suicides by Farmers
About Indians, Max Muller observed: “with hardly any one exception they have displayed a far greater respect for truth and a far more manly and generous spirit than we are accustomed to even in Europe and America.”
And another eminent person observed, “When you read of the atrocities committed by the Mohammedan conquerors of India after that time (1000AD) to the time when England stepped in and, whatever may be said by her envious critics, made at the events, the broad principles of our common humanity respected once more in India, the wonder, to my mind, is how any nation could have survived such an Inferno, without being turned into devils themselves.” (Elphinstone’s History of India)
In India our life style and perceptions predate all modern so called ‘scientific prescriptions’. Just as Hinduism defies all attempts at one line definition so is the case with Indian Agriculture, which again is a ‘way’ of life for majority of Indians even today.
“When fate is inevitable the lowest Hindu encounters it with a coolness that would excite admiration in Europe” (Elphinstone’s History of India)
Then how come of late, we see some of our countrymen turning in to ‘Devils’ and some becoming victims of ‘suicides’, both very ‘modern ‘ prevalent human behavior standards.
The Indian prayer “ Sarve bhawantu sukhina sarve santu niramaya sarve bhadrani pashyantu……..” Where did this prayer, which is unique in the history of human society, originate from and what caused its establishment in our psyche?
Our Hindu scriptures Vedas and Upnishads sing paeans of “ Madhu Vidhya”. Madhu Vidya means living in harmony with nature. This according to Vedas follows from “GO MAHIMA”. These are Bounties that flow from cows as objects of affection.
Speaking in modern context psychologists tell that us that keeping pets at home brings about a change in our personality. It makes an individual more relaxed, tolerant to ‘trespasses’ and pluralistic in his life. It was the practice in India for every Indian to keep a ‘pet’ cow at home. This home cow blessed the Indian psyche with ‘Madhu Vidhya’. In the perception of Indians to be at peace with all things, and this is what the Max Muller and Elphinston are talking about.
The Indian tradition to choose, Cow as universal pet, also points to the immense pragmatic wisdom of Indian seers. Cow consumes and converts all the farming residues and wastes in to Milk. Milk is the most complete sustainable food in nature next only to the mother’s milk.
According to the US agriculture Department, SAN (sustainable Agriculture Network) 'Building Soils for Better Crops', Cow forms the critical link in the Nitrogen and Carbon Cycles of our environment. Add to that the maintenance of the microbial health and micronutrients in the soil, by farm yard manure from Cow.
Thus a cow with every farmer ensures not only healthy source of nutrition for the farmer’s family, but also is a sustainable method to recycle farm waste in to soil nutrients, to keep the soil healthy.
Soil scientists as far back as 1935 led by William Albrecht of Missouri University had warned that over dependence on Chemical Fertilizers leads to depletion of nutrients and microorganisms. The soil becomes sick. And no healthy animals, crops and nutritive food can be extracted from a sick soil. The only way to keep soil healthy is by recycling biomass. Cow is the primary agent to perform this task.
In quest of Green Revolution the Indian Agriculture strategists had perhaps little choice than to go for band aid type solutions to provide quick relief. Chemical fertilizers were promoted on mass scale.
Sir Albert Howard the British Imperial Botanist Service expert who started the Agriculture Researches in India way back in 1906 at Pusa in Bihar, was the first to introduce chemical fertilizers here . But he very soon realized that use of chemical fertilizers also results in disturbing the microorganism of soil. Plants grown are deficient in their natural disease fighting abilities. Thus the plants grown with the help of Chemical Fertilizers require additional use of Chemical pesticides both for soil and as foliar sprays. But the delinking by our planners, animal husbandry from agriculture was the one strategic blunder whose consequences could not be visualized by the experts who were formulating our first Five Year Plan.
Cow was an integral part of our Agriculture. Good Nutritive diet based on pure cow milk, home grown farm yard manure, home preserved seeds were available to our farmer as rewards for his toil. Farmers did not require cash money buy any of these items.
In the present scenario far all his farm inputs a farmer needs cash money for which he seeks loans from wherever he can get.
Our Agriculture experts realize that most of the chemicals, pesticides and seeds sold in the open market are very heavily adulterated, substandard and of very poor germination quality. With such bad essential farm inputs bought from borrowed hard cash total failure of the crops is unavoidable. With failure of his crops, hungry mouths and sick family on his hands and bank creditors on his throat, what else can a poor farmer do but commit suicide. The best our Govts can think of is writing off the loans and doling out cash. But again this is a bandaid treatment. There is no long term strategy for the farmers.
No institution has ever been able to check adulteration. The best guarantee to ensure quality is to revive the household cow of the farmers. Teach the farmers good methods to prepare his own cow based fertilizers, soil; conditioners, seed storage and germination techniques, and at the same time facilitate keeping of good cows by developing cow resource centers in rural clusters. Home made products will not only ensure the quality of farm inputs but also provide better nutrition for the family. The importance of 'cash money' for meeting day to day farming needs will be highly reduced.
For India the only sustainable strategy for society is to bring back household cow as center stage in our agriculture.
And another eminent person observed, “When you read of the atrocities committed by the Mohammedan conquerors of India after that time (1000AD) to the time when England stepped in and, whatever may be said by her envious critics, made at the events, the broad principles of our common humanity respected once more in India, the wonder, to my mind, is how any nation could have survived such an Inferno, without being turned into devils themselves.” (Elphinstone’s History of India)
In India our life style and perceptions predate all modern so called ‘scientific prescriptions’. Just as Hinduism defies all attempts at one line definition so is the case with Indian Agriculture, which again is a ‘way’ of life for majority of Indians even today.
“When fate is inevitable the lowest Hindu encounters it with a coolness that would excite admiration in Europe” (Elphinstone’s History of India)
Then how come of late, we see some of our countrymen turning in to ‘Devils’ and some becoming victims of ‘suicides’, both very ‘modern ‘ prevalent human behavior standards.
The Indian prayer “ Sarve bhawantu sukhina sarve santu niramaya sarve bhadrani pashyantu……..” Where did this prayer, which is unique in the history of human society, originate from and what caused its establishment in our psyche?
Our Hindu scriptures Vedas and Upnishads sing paeans of “ Madhu Vidhya”. Madhu Vidya means living in harmony with nature. This according to Vedas follows from “GO MAHIMA”. These are Bounties that flow from cows as objects of affection.
Speaking in modern context psychologists tell that us that keeping pets at home brings about a change in our personality. It makes an individual more relaxed, tolerant to ‘trespasses’ and pluralistic in his life. It was the practice in India for every Indian to keep a ‘pet’ cow at home. This home cow blessed the Indian psyche with ‘Madhu Vidhya’. In the perception of Indians to be at peace with all things, and this is what the Max Muller and Elphinston are talking about.
The Indian tradition to choose, Cow as universal pet, also points to the immense pragmatic wisdom of Indian seers. Cow consumes and converts all the farming residues and wastes in to Milk. Milk is the most complete sustainable food in nature next only to the mother’s milk.
According to the US agriculture Department, SAN (sustainable Agriculture Network) 'Building Soils for Better Crops', Cow forms the critical link in the Nitrogen and Carbon Cycles of our environment. Add to that the maintenance of the microbial health and micronutrients in the soil, by farm yard manure from Cow.
Thus a cow with every farmer ensures not only healthy source of nutrition for the farmer’s family, but also is a sustainable method to recycle farm waste in to soil nutrients, to keep the soil healthy.
Soil scientists as far back as 1935 led by William Albrecht of Missouri University had warned that over dependence on Chemical Fertilizers leads to depletion of nutrients and microorganisms. The soil becomes sick. And no healthy animals, crops and nutritive food can be extracted from a sick soil. The only way to keep soil healthy is by recycling biomass. Cow is the primary agent to perform this task.
In quest of Green Revolution the Indian Agriculture strategists had perhaps little choice than to go for band aid type solutions to provide quick relief. Chemical fertilizers were promoted on mass scale.
Sir Albert Howard the British Imperial Botanist Service expert who started the Agriculture Researches in India way back in 1906 at Pusa in Bihar, was the first to introduce chemical fertilizers here . But he very soon realized that use of chemical fertilizers also results in disturbing the microorganism of soil. Plants grown are deficient in their natural disease fighting abilities. Thus the plants grown with the help of Chemical Fertilizers require additional use of Chemical pesticides both for soil and as foliar sprays. But the delinking by our planners, animal husbandry from agriculture was the one strategic blunder whose consequences could not be visualized by the experts who were formulating our first Five Year Plan.
Cow was an integral part of our Agriculture. Good Nutritive diet based on pure cow milk, home grown farm yard manure, home preserved seeds were available to our farmer as rewards for his toil. Farmers did not require cash money buy any of these items.
In the present scenario far all his farm inputs a farmer needs cash money for which he seeks loans from wherever he can get.
Our Agriculture experts realize that most of the chemicals, pesticides and seeds sold in the open market are very heavily adulterated, substandard and of very poor germination quality. With such bad essential farm inputs bought from borrowed hard cash total failure of the crops is unavoidable. With failure of his crops, hungry mouths and sick family on his hands and bank creditors on his throat, what else can a poor farmer do but commit suicide. The best our Govts can think of is writing off the loans and doling out cash. But again this is a bandaid treatment. There is no long term strategy for the farmers.
No institution has ever been able to check adulteration. The best guarantee to ensure quality is to revive the household cow of the farmers. Teach the farmers good methods to prepare his own cow based fertilizers, soil; conditioners, seed storage and germination techniques, and at the same time facilitate keeping of good cows by developing cow resource centers in rural clusters. Home made products will not only ensure the quality of farm inputs but also provide better nutrition for the family. The importance of 'cash money' for meeting day to day farming needs will be highly reduced.
For India the only sustainable strategy for society is to bring back household cow as center stage in our agriculture.
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