EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENT

ON
LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION
“ NEED FOR AN INDEPTH RESEARCH ”

1
 INTRODUCTION

Although the world has made significant gains in total food production, the
problems of chronic malnutrition and hunger persist in many nations.
Increase in world food production is largely due to the " Green Revolution "
which introduced high yielding varieties of wheat, rice, and other grains and
improved agronomic practices. In many countries, production increased
three to four fold.

Worldwide, animal products contribute million tons of edible protein and

over 1 billion mega calories of energy annually. With its high biological
value, this protein is equivalent to more than 50 percent of the protein
produced from all cereals.

2
As a consequence of the rapidly growing population and the general
recognition of the need for more efficient food production in the less
developed countries, there is currently great interest in establishing
intensive animal production units. However, traditional animal production
enterprises in these countries, particularly in those with hot humid climates,
are noted for their low productivity and poor reproductive rates.
Consequently, only a few of the intensive units established in these
locations have been successful. The most common factors associated with
this failure are lack of knowledge about livestock ecology, inexperience in
farming animals, mismanagement, inappropriate animal types, inadequate
housing and planning and ignorance of the deleterious effects of tropical
environments on animals and production systems and on means of
alleviating them.

3
Ever since animals were domesticated, man realised that climatic
changes resulted in dramatic influences on their behaviour and
performance. In an attempt to ameliorate these effects, enormous energy
has been expended in the developed world in modifying traditional
housing, feeding, and management practices. However, the problems
faced by livestock in the tropics are particularly difficult, especially in the
low income countries, not only because they are exposed to periods of
extremely hot/humid weather but also because financial constraints have
precluded the employment of many of the available methods of
ameliorating the effects of climate on production. Clearly, the fate of
many of these nations will depend on our ability to overcome these
difficulties by taking up an in depth research on the effect of environment on
livestock production.
4
 Source : Dr. Bonsma
In the wheel, which illustrates the inter-relationship among man, beast,
and total environment, man is the axis about which everything rotates;
the nave or hub of the wheel is the domesticated animal in close
symbiosis with man. The running surface and rim of the wheel are the
total environment, and each spoke is an environmental factor which has
a direct leverage on the nave of the wheel. The lubricant which makes
the wheel rotate with ease around the axis is management. 5
6
7
 EFFECTS OF PRODUCTION

Level of production has considerable influence on heat balance, as the

high production animals must dissipate more Heat. The greater the level of
internal heat production, the less heat stress can an animal stand. This is
of particular significance in this region of high heat stress when efforts to
increase production are considered. The productive female is the more
sensitive of the two sexes.

Eg : A cow yielding 10 kg milk per day has a heat production of about

17,000 kcals;

A cow yielding 50 kg milk per day has a heat production of 36,000

kcals - an additional load to be dissipated of 19,000 kcals.

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 WATER INTAKE OF TWO SPECIES OF CATTLE

Source : Subcommittee On Environmental Stress – National Research Council - 1981

9
 TEMPERATURE AND WATER INTAKE

Temperature Range (In Centigrade)

10 to 15 15 to 20 20 to 25 26 to 30 31 to 35
Taurus Zebu Taurus Zebu Taurus Zebu Taurus Zebu Taurus Zebu

Water
Consumption
Kg / Kg of dry 3.5 3 4 3 5 4 7.5 5 14.5 10
matter intake
Absolute
Difference 0.5 -0.5 1 -1 1 -1 2.5 -2.5 4.5 -4.5
Percentage
Difference
Between Two 17% 33% 25% 50% 45%
groups

Stress temperature for Taurine breeds (30 to 40) result in Almost 0% conception and 20% decrease in milk.

In the temperature range of 31 to 35 – Dry matter intake start decreasing for taurus.

In the temperature range of 31 to 35 – Dry matter intake starts increasing for indicus.
Compared to indicus cattle Water requirement of taurus cattle is almost 50% more for the same dry
matter intake under Indian temperatures.

CAN WE AFFORD THIS !!

10
Source : Bianca: Zuchtungskunde, 31:476. 1959.

11
12
 SELECTION
By Selection the Type & Character of an Animal could be altered over a period of time.
Here is an example of How depending upon the Breeder’s preference the Type of
“Ongole” varies.
ONGOLE TYPE OF 1800s

13
ONGOLE TYPE OF TODAY

14
 THE ONGOLE BREED DISCRIPTION OVER 75 YEARS
Indian Council of
S.No. Dr. John Shortt Lt.Col. W.D. Gunn Capt. R.W. Littlewood (1936) Agricultural Research
(1885) (1909) (1960)
Head Erect and well carried --- Should not be too big or heavy Broad between eyes,
I slightly prominent
1.Fore-head Face short, with Face moderately long, Face moderately long, forehead Face moderately long,
greater breadth of forehead broad broad bridges of nose to nostrils
forehead. straight
2.Muzzle --- Fine Well developed with fairly wide Well developed, wide
nostrils, black in colour nostrils, black in colour
3.Eyes Large, prominent and Elliptical in shape, large Well set, bright, elliptical, with dark Moderately large, placid
heavy looking and and mild. Skin around eyes eyelashes, ring of black skin about full, bright, elliptical, black
black is black ½ inch wide around the eye eyelashes, ring of black
hair around eye
4.Ears Large, lop ears Long and drooping Moderately long and slightly Moderately long, slightly
drooping drooping, alert, tip of ear
black
5.Horns Short and stumpy, Short and inclined to be Short and inclined to be stumpy Short and stumpy, growing
barely 3” to 6” in stumpy, in cows the horns and turning sideways or outwards and backwards.
length, never are longer, they are backwards, in cows horns are Thick at base, firm, without
exceeding 12”-inclined directed outwards and longer and thinner than in bulls and cracks.
outwards, tapering to slightly backwards are directed outwards and slightly
a blunt point. backwards. They should not be
split at the base.
Neck Short and stout Short and thick Short and thick Short and thick in bulls,
II moderately long in cows

Hump Huge hump which Well developed Well developed and erect, if at all it Well developed and erect.
III frequently inclines to leans, it should be to the right. Filled up on both sides and
one side Better if filled up on sides and not not concave or leaning to
concave either side
Dewlap Large and heavy --- Fleshy and hanging in fold, extends Fleshy and hanging in fold
IV to naval extending to naval flap
Chest Fair depth and width Girth behind hump is 84” Deep and wide, broad between Deep and wide, broad
V fore arms. Girth behind hump 84”. between the fore arms

15
 Indian Council of
S.No. Dr. John Shortt Lt.Col. W.D. Gunn Capt. R.W. Littlewood Agricultural Research
(1885) (1909) (1936) (1960)
Legs Clean but massive, Strong and somewhat Strong and somewhat coarse, not Strong, clean and medium
VI straight and fairly coarse too long,straight with strong in length, well apart, firmly
apart to support the shoulders set wide apart firmly, and and squarely set under the
carcass squarely under the body, toes body, hoofs pointing
pointing straight straight
Barrel & Back short and Massive, long & deep, Massive, long & deep with well Long &deep with well
VII Rump straight, fair depth & back moderate length & arched ribs, back of moderate arched ribs. Back
width of chest, invariably high at croup length, broad & slightly higher at moderately long, broad,
carcass compact & quarters strong with croup. Croup should be fairly level, and slightly higher at rump.
solid looking considerable droop quarters strong with gentle droop Rump should be fairly
towards root of tail, broad loin, level, ribs are well arched
rumpbroad & long and long.
Tail High & well set tuft Long, fine & tapering Thick at base without coarseness, Tail head is sloping, deeply
VIII black long & tapering, finely to full switch moulded & not coarse.
which is black. Tip of tail should Long & fine with black
reach or just beyond point of hock switch. Tip of tail vertebrae
reaches just beyond point
of hock
Hind Limbs Hooves black Strong & some-what Strong & somewhat coarse Hocks clean & pastern
IX coarse sloping, feet round, deep at
heel, hoof black, clift
narrow, curve of hock not
too straight or too curved
Milking Cows are excellent Good cows milk from 11 The average yield of farm bred ---
X Ability milkers known to to 14 lbs of milk daily stock is 3,251 lbs with a daily
yield 18 quarts of average of 10.5 lbs
good rich milk in 24
hours, and they rear
a calf at the same
time
Skin & Hair Fine skin, covered --- Hair fine & smooth black skin of Skin medium thickness,
XI with soft, short hair medium thickness, mellow & loose mellow, elastic, often
shows black mottling or
markings, hair fine & white
Colour Prevailing colour is Black & white, and White or grayish white with black or Popular colour is white.
XII white white. dark grey markings on hump, neck, Males have dark grey
quarters. Black markings on knees & markings on head, neck
above fetlocks on fore and hind legs. and hump, and black
Formerly black & white points on knees and
predominant colour Some animals have grey patches.
A few are red & white in colour pasterns. 16
This Table shows 2 Omissions After 1936 :
1. About their Milking Ability
2. About their Colour.

1. It will be seen that upto 1936 there has been a mention of their Milking Ability and then this
aspect has not been talked about leading to a belief that Ongole Cows are not good Milkers.
Here are extracts from some early publications that state of the Milking ability of the Ongole
Cow :

Sl. No. Year Author Source

a. 1885 John Shortt A Manual Of Indian Cattle and Sheep Their Breeds Management and
Diseases
The breed of cattle from this district has also been long celebrated, not so much as draught
cattle as for the milking qualities of the female, for which purpose Nellore cows are
greatly esteemed and fetch large prices.
b. 1887 Robert India in 1887 – The Nellore or Ongole Breed
Wallace
From a region lying north of Madras, is one of the most noted and widely known in India. It is
the great milking breed of the Madras Presidency ; and Nellore cows may now and then be
seen in most districts of India.
c. 1895 H.T. Pease The Agricultural Ledger – Ongole or Nellore Cattle
The cattle bred in the districts of Nellore and Kistna, known by the name of “Ongole” have
from early times enjoyed a wide reputation as milkers.
Yield of Milk. – The milk yield is good. Some of the best cows have been known to yield 18
quarts and rear a calf at the same time. Two cows at the Saidapet farm when in full milk
yielded about 84 measures, per month.

17
Sl. No. Year Author Source

d. 1927 W. Smith &

R.W. Little Wood
In days gone by, this breed had a great reputation as milch cattle and they still are easily
the best milking breed of Southern India.

e. 1936 Cattle Markets of India

Nellore or Ongole – (Plate XI).

This breed of cattle is chiefly bred in the north – eastern districts of the Madras Presidency and
forms the main milk breed of Madras. The average daily yield of milk is about 15 lbs.
f. 1947 Sir Frank Ware Animal Husbandry Officer for colonial India

The importance of the Nellore breed to Jamaica lies in the fact that it is a good dual-purpose
breed, with the emphasis on milk . . . , there is no alternative breed showing the requisite
stamina and milking qualities”.

2. In the recent past with the people being misinformed there now exists a belief that Ongole
Cattle come in only 2 Colours. White and Steel grey.

While the fact is that the Ongole Cattle come in four solid colours : White, Steel Grey, Red
and Tobacco Brown and Three patches : Red & White, Black & White and Grey & White

18
The “Ongole”

Milking Ability : Facts & Figures

19
 LIVESTOCK OF SOUTHERN INDIA by Capt. R.W. LITTLE WOOD, 1936
“As a result of careful mating and selection, the milk yield of the herd is being
raised year by year. The average per cow has been as follows:-
1925-26 -- -- -- -- -- 8 lb
1926-27 -- -- -- -- -- 9 lb
1927-28 -- -- -- -- -- 10.1 lb
1928-29 -- -- -- -- -- 11.2 lb

The best cow in the herd gave 4,939 lb. of milk with a daily average of 16.5
lb, and is now in milk again and has given 2,486 lb, with a daily average of 21.4 lb.
Other individual yield were, cow No. 101, first lactation 5,356 lb. with a daily
average of 14.7 lb. second lactation 1,343.7 lb. with a daily average of 14.1 lb. and
still in milk and cow No. 100, first lactation 5,421.7 lb, with a daily average of 16.4
lb. and still in milk giving 9.5 lb a day. Both these cows were farm bred. These
are very satisfactory and promising results, and given time we shall have a
valuable source of supply of good breeding bulls at this farm. It should be
remembered in this connection that the average yield of the country bred Ongole
is only 2,500 to 3,000 lb. per lactation.”
20
 LIVESTOCK OF SOUTHERN INDIA by Capt. R.W. LITTLE WOOD, 1936
“DETAILS OF PERFORMANCE OF ONGOLE COWS AT THE ONGOLE CATTLE FARM –
CHINTHALADEVI IN 1931 _ 13 years after setting up this herd.

Foundation Farm Bred

%
stock cows
1. Average milk yield 2674 lb 3526 lb + 31.86
Daily average 9.8 lb 11.5 lb + 17.35
Farmbred cows show an increase of 852 lb milk, with a daily
average increase of 1.7 lb per cow
2. Average maximum yield 3174 lb 4047 lb + 27.50
Daily average 11.6 lb 12.6 lb + 8.62
3. Highest individual yield 5422 lb 7190 lb + 32.61
Daily average 14.1 lb 21.5 lb + 52.48
4. Best individual average yield 3761 lb 5714 lb + 51.93
Daily average 11.5 lb 16. lb + 39.13
5. Average dry period 177 days 147 days - 16.95
”
IF this selection of the Chinthaladevi herd was continued till now (2016) the average yield of this
herd would have been 10,491 lbs or 4,721 lts. That is 8,134 lbs or 3,660 lts per lactation.
Considering : 1. Chinthaladevi Data As The Base. 2. Tapering the growth rate from 32% to 1% in 4 years.

3. 1936 onwards the growth rate taken at 1.

21
 LIVESTOCK OF SOUTHERN INDIA by Capt. R.W. LITTLE WOOD, 1936
“TABLE SHOWING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE BEST ONGOLE COWS AT THE ONGOLE CATTLE
FARM – CHINTHALADEVI IN 1931 _ 13 years after setting up this herd.

Average Average
Maximum Average
Cow Age Number of milk daily
milk yield number of
number years calvings yield average
lb days dry
lb lb

2 14 9 3226.4 11.1 5422 213

25 15 8 3761.9 11.5 5351 216
33 15 9 3384.9 10.6 4358 129
13 11 7 2934.7 11.9 4723 118
57 12 5 3238.4 10.0 4504 172
71 11 5 4070.2 12.9 4779 137
78 10 5 3326.6 9.9 4142 213
79 10 4 3717.2 11.2 4156 335
87 9 5 3746.8 10.8 4008 116
95 6 3 5682.0 17.1 7190 140

22
Continued - TABLE SHOWING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE BEST ONGOLE COWS AT THE ONGOLE CATTLE
FARM – CHINTHALADEVI IN 1931 _ 13 years after setting up this herd

Average Average
Maximum Average
Cow Age Number of milk daily
milk yield number of
number years calvings yield average
lb days dry
lb lb
100 8½ 4 4340.0 14.5 5421 261
101 8½ 4 4660.1 14.1 5355 133
107 6 3 5714.0 16.1 6687 149
109 8 3 4485.5 13.5 5295 195
111 8 4 4838.3 16.3 5205 161
116 7 3 3489.0 12.9 4251 143
133 6 2 4408.0 13.1 4873 208
93 7 3 3935.0 12.1 4877 156
119 5½ 1 4330.0 11.2 4330 --
120 5½ 2 5236.0 12.9 5236 167
148 5½ 2 4890.0 20.6 4890 --
191 5¼ 2 5361.0 13.7 5361 66
”
23
 THE
GREATEST
BLUNDER !!

24
 SOME CATTLE OF THE GOVERNMENT ONGOLE CATTLE
FARMS THAT WERE SOLD TO THE BRAZILIANS IN 1962

S. NO. COW. NO. NAME SOURCE

1. 9 GAIA Bought from Bezawada on 30-3-1960
2. 016 GOOTI Bought from Bezawada on March, ’54
3. 555
4. 608 Born on 20-11-53
5. 788 AGRA Born on 6-5-57
6. 5 SAJAHAN Bought from Bezawada on 30-3-1960
7. 667 Born 1-3-54; Dam : 015 Sire :?
8. 018 KUNITHA Born 1-1-54; Dam : 014, Bought
9. 11 RADRIHA Bought from Bezawada on 30-3-1960
10. 653 Born 18-12-54; Dam : 555, Yield : 3248 lbs, Sire : 417
11. 7 GOA Bought from Bezawada on 30-3-1960
12. 648 Born 4-12-54; Dam : 549, Yield : 1362 lbs, Sire : 449
13. 783 GURLA Born 17-4-57; Dam : 376
14. 14 CHAMLA Vizag Dairy Farm transferred on 24-3-60
15. ( Bull) 583 GODHAVARI Farm born Dam : 252, Yield : 4580 lbs

25
 583. ONGOLE BREEDING BULL
BRED AT GOVERNMENT LIVESTOCK FARM, CHINTALADEVI, NELLORE
DISTRICT , ANDHRA PRADESH
THAT WAS SOLD TO THE BRAZILIANS IN 1962
DATE OF BIRTH : 24-8-54. PEDIGREE OF THE BULL :

N.B: L.Y. : LACTATIONAL YIELD IN LBS

SIRE ?

DAM : 13 PURCHASED
SIRE : 8 L.Y : 4723
SIRE : KRISHNA
SIRE ? SIRE : 20 DAM : 5. PURCHASED. L.Y.2283
DAM : 95
SIRE : 148 L.Y : 7190
DAM : 32 PURCHASED.
BULL NO. 583
L.Y : 2662
DAM : 252 SIRE : GANAPATHI
LY : 4580. DAM : 229 SIRE : 52 DAM : 47. PURCHASED. L.Y. 1596
L.Y : 6150. DAM : 84 H
SIRE : 147 L.Y : 4299 GANAPATHI : SIRE :
DAM : 215 DAM : 35. PURCHASED. L.Y.2919.
SIRE : 125 PURCHASED.
DAM : 67. SIRE ?
L.Y : 2850.
DAM : 46 PURCHASED.
L.Y : 2245. 26
REPRODUCTIVE DATA FROM ONGOLE CATTLE GERMPLASM UNIT,
LAM FARM, GUNTURU

Parameter Achievement
Sex ratio ( n=2942 calvings ) Male : 51.5%
Female : 48.5%
Age at 1st calvings ( n=608 ) 44.8 months
1st AI post calving ( n=2675 ) 111 days
Service period ( n=2608 ) 149 days
Inter calving period ( n=2265 ) 14.5 M
No. of AI Conc. ( n=3335 ) 1st AI : 51% (1695)
2nf AI : 26% (877)
3rd AI : 12% (313)
>3 AI : 11% (353)
27
 DATA FROM THE ONGOLE CATTLE GERMPLASM UNIT,
LAM FARM, GUNTURU.

No. of
Average
observations

1) Age at first calving (days) 24 859.68

2) Average calving interval (days) 74 404.07
3) Average Service period (days) 77 111.58
4) Average Dry period (days) 77 187.48

All this information shows that the potential in the breed for
improvement, it is for us breeders to give the required selection
pressure.

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 FACTS ON MILKING ABILITY OF ONGOLES SINCE THE 1800s
A MANUAL OF INDIAN CATTLE AND SHEEP THEIR BREEDS,
MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES, BY JOHN SHORTT, 1885

“NELLORE
The breed of cattle from this district has also been long celebrated,
not so much as draught cattle as for the milking qualities of the
female, for which purpose Nellore cows are greatly esteemed and
fetch large prices.
The cows as has been said, are excellent milkers:

Some of them have been known to yield 18 quarts of good rich milk
in the 24 hours (a quart being equivalent to 0.946 litre), and they
rear a calf at the same time”.
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 BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE. FEBRUARY 1907

“Zebua puro-bangue para a Bahia.

O Sr. Commendador Manoel de Souza Machado, proprietario da

importante Uaina Capimirim, uma das mais futurosas e mais bem
dirigidas do Brasil, leceben ultimamente de Madras, na India, um
magnifico casal de puros nongue Indiano da raca & Nellore, que e,
como se sabe, de grande porte e notavel leiteira”.

This says that Nellore is a noted Milker.

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 CATTLE MARKETS OF INDIA, 1936

“BREEDS OF INDIAN CATTLE

Nellore or Ongole – (Plate XI).

This breed of cattle is chiefly bred in the north – eastern districts of the
Madras Presidency and forms the main milk breed of Madras. The average
daily yield of milk is about 15 lbs.

A large number of cows are sent annually to Madras city”.

31
 MARLEEN FELIUS

CATTLE BREEDS
AN ENCYCLOPEDIA

Ongole
(Nellore)

Origin: Authentic breed. Status: regional / international

size: large. Purpose: DAIRY / work.

Cows produce an average of about 1,350 kg milk per lactation, but record
yields of over 2,250 kg INDICATE AN EXCELLENT DAIRY POTENTIAL FOR
THE BREED.

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 JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE MARCH 13, 2009

“Table 1. Characteristics of the 1944 dairy production systems

Variable 1944
Breed 54% Jersey / Guernsey / Ayrshire (small)
46% Holstein / Brown Swiss (large)
Milk yield per cow, kg / yr 2,074
Milk fat content. % 4.20 (small breed)
3.60 (large breed)
Milk protein content. % 3.50 (small breed)
3.20 (large breed)
Heifer cow ratio 0.89
Heifer growth rate kg / d 0.42 (small breed)
0.59 (small breed)
Age at first calving . Mo 27.0
Breeding method 100% natural service
Bull cow ratio 1:25
Principal forage sources Pasture, hay
Diet type Forage + concentrate”
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 THE PRESENT SCENARIO
RECENT RESULTS OF MILK YIELD COMPETITIONS FOR ONGOLE

24 hrs /
12 hrs / Two Per Time
PLACE OF Three
YEAR DISTRICT milkings Milking
COMPETITIONS milking
Kgs. Kgs.
Kgs.
2011 Dwaraka Tirumala West Godavari 22.2 14.80 7.40

2012 Peddha Palla East Godavari 25.7 17.13 8.57

2012 Bhimavaram West Godavari 26.3 17.53 8.77

2012 Hanuman Junction Krishna 30.5 20.33 10.17

2013 Rajahmundry East Godavari 24.7 16.47 8.23

2014 Mandapeta East Godavari 21.6 14.40 7.20

2015 Vijayawada Krishna 19.7 13.13 6.57

2016 Dwaraka Tirumala West Godavari 20.3 13.53 6.77

34
In working to achieve improved milk yield we need to keep in mind
the saying that “Half the pedigree goes in at the mouth.”

It only stresses the great importance of better feeding, without

which improved breeding is rendered useless.

Abundant Forage Around the Year 35

 AFTER ALL THIS INFORMATION COULD THERE STILL BE A DOUBT ABOUT THE
MILKING ABILITY OF US ONGOLES !!

Our Milking Ability is very much there !!

It is thanks to the “Negative Selection” that was practiced that their ability is what it is
today !!

With Proper Planning and a Bit of Effort we could surely get back to where we were in
the 1800s.

It is when we Ongoles inherently lack that ability that you need to look elsewhere_BUT
when their wonderful Ongoles have given their Best around the Tropical World why
not give our Ongoles an opportunity to prove themselves in their Homeland !!

Wherever they went, given the opportunity, we brought Prosperity to our Farmer
Friends _ why not to our Home Land Too !!

36
37
What does all this information show _ What else can be asked of any
cattle !!

In the light of what happened to the magnificent “Chinthaladevi

Ongole herd”, after more than half a century of selection effort that
yielded positive results, a very sane saying on cattle breeding comes
to mind.

“Fashions come and go in cattle business much as they do in clothes. But

astute breeders should set their goals and stay with them regardless of the
fashion of the moment.”

IF ONLY THIS THOUGHT HAD PREVALIED UPON THE INDIAN

BUREAUCRATS AND ADVISORS, THE ONGOLE WORLD WOULD HAVE
BEEN MUCH RICHER !!.

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39