Management of Breeding Bull Practices in India

Breeding bulls require special care and management for production of quality semen. The bull rearing and management should start from calf itself. If sufficient care is not taken from the calf itself growth rates are affected and they mature lately leading to poor breeding. Immediately after selection of bull calves they should be separated from rest of the bull calves and transferred to separate calf pens for taking special care towards their feeding and management. This will also help in preventing development of vices like naval sucking; reduce the incidence of calf scours and parasitic infestation. The calves should be fed individually according to their body weight. Within two hours of their birth they are fed with colostrum so that they get resistance to diseases till they are vaccinated. Fresh water should be provided in the calf pens. In India, where agriculture plays a central role in the economy, livestock farming is an integral part of rural livelihoods. Breeding bulls are key components of livestock production, as they significantly influence the quality and productivity of cattle. The management of breeding bulls is crucial for ensuring the genetic progress of the livestock sector and maximizing the potential for improved dairy and meat production. In this essay, we will explore the importance of managing breeding bulls in India, the practices involved, and their impact on the country’s livestock industry.

Table 1: Milk feeding schedule

Age in Days      Colostrum/Milk (colostrums upto 5 days)

1-4                      1/10th of the body weight

5-30                     1/10th body weight

31-60                    1/15th body weight

61-90                        1/20th body weight

Feeding concentrates to the young calves can be commenced as early as 7-10 days. The calves can be trained slowly to take concentrate feed. The calf feed should contain more protein about 20% and 70% total digestible nutrients. The calf feed should contain led fiber. By seventh month the bull calf should be able to take 1 Kg of concentrate feed. Green fodder can be offered to the calf from second month onwards slowly.

Table 2: Concentrate feed requirement

Age in Months               Amount of concentrate feed to be given

2                                150 grams

3                                    300 grams

4                                     500 grams

5-6                                   750 grams

7                                         1 Kilogram

Bull calves should get sufficient quantity of vitamin A and minerals and trace elements. The basic preventive vaccinations for contagious diseases like foot and mouth, Rinderpest, should be done before the calf leaves to the bull rearing stations.

Table 3: Vaccination schedule of young calves:

Age                                What is to be done?

10-15 days                   Deworming (continue every month up to 4 months)

2 Months                      FMD Vaccination

3 Months                      Booster dose of FMD. Repeat every 6 months

4-6 Months                    Rinderpest vaccination with tissue culture vaccine

6 Months                               H.S. and B.Q. vaccination

HOUSING OF BULLS:

Bulls should be provided with comfortable bull sheds with free flow of air and ventilation. The sheds should be maintained in clean and hygienic way. The standard floor space for an average bull is 12 m2 loose boxes. Each loose box should be provided with a run of 24 m2. Provision of cross ventilation, feeding manger and water trough should be made. It is not always possible to provide separate boxes to bulls for economy reasons etc. The bulls can be tied in two rows face to face with strong railings in between them. For buffalo bulls loose box type is preferred since they have tendency to fight each other and have a strong sense of revenge. In general the following points should be taken care in construction of bull sheds. The floor should be hard and non slippery. Proper drainage for urine, waste water and dung should be provided. Protection against strong winds during summer and winter. Fresh and clean drinking water should be provided. Plant trees around the bull sheds to keep them cool in summer season. Bulls should be properly controlled well and partitions from bull to bull to avoid fighting. The feed mangers should have an overhead semi circular shape to avoid spillage of feed while feeding. The bull sheds should be nearer to the semen collection yards and exercising rings. The drainage from the bull sheds should be connected to a slurry tank for usage in the fodder plots.

FEEDING OF ADULT BULLS:

Bulls of all breeds grow up to age of 5 years of age and during this period they need good growth promoting rations. Bulls need 2% of dry matter of their body weight and 15-18% of digestible crude protein. Bulls should be fed twice a day both morning and evening dividing the daily ration into two halves. Normally a bull weighing about 600 Kg body weight require about 12 Kg of dry matter which should be met 50% by green grass 25% by concentrates and 25% dry fodder. A mineral and vitamin mix should be offered that contains adequate calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin A. A standard mineral mix would be 40% dicalcium phosphate, 20% limestone, 30% trace mineral salt, and 10% selenium 90 (mg/lb) premix. Quality green forages should provide enough vitamin A. If forages are weathered and/ or of low quality, an intramuscular injection of 3 million IU of vitamin A is advisable. A vitamin A injection might also be considered with corn silage-based diets.

Other managemental practices Identification of bulls

Bulls need proper identification. Young calves can be tattooed inside of the ear. When it is transferred to bull rearing stations a good flexible plastic ear tag can be applied so that the number can be seen from a distance. The number of the bull can be written boldly with a permanent marking pen on the plastic tag. Bulls can also be cold branded on the rump. But it is not suitable for buffalo bulls.

Exercise

To keep the bulls in good condition regular exercise is needed. It keeps the bulls active in semen collection. The exercise can be given with an exercise ring in the morning hours. The bulls also can be left in the paddocks. Exercise also prevents over growth of the hooves. Bulls need 1-2 hours of exercise at least 3-4 times in a week to keep them active.

Growth rates

Monitoring of the growth rates is essential particularly for young bulls. The bulls should be weighed once in a month and the growth chart should be drawn and studied. Along with the body weight the girth and the height at withers also should be measured.

Scrotal measurements

Should be taken once in a month with a tape and recorded. This can be taken on a warm day or keeping the bull in the sun till the scrotum is well relaxed. Regular grooming of bulls should be done with a stiff brush to remove the loose hairs and scales from the body. This helps to keep the bull clean. A coir brush can be used for this purpose and brushing should be done against the hairs first.

Hoof trimming

Bulls constantly tied on hard floors tend to develop overgrown hooves. Overgrown hooves reduce the mobility and the service ability of the bull. Hoof trimming requires skill and proper control of the bull in a special trevis. A trained person and proper equipment is necessary. Cleaning of bulls helps to reduce contamination of semen with dirt, loose hairs and dung. The bull should be washed with forced water and dried. The perennial region and thighs should be washed thoroughly by scrubbing with a hard brush. Providing bedding to the bull also helps in keeping them clean and saves much time in washing.

 Dressing of the prepuce of bulls

Bulls having long preputial hair needs trimming periodically. Otherwise dirt and dung adhere to the hairs and become a source of infection contaminating the semen also at the time of semen collection. But it should be kept in mind that the hairs should not be trimmed too close to the prepuce. Close trimming irritates and the bulls tend to masturbate. As such the hairs should be trimmed leaving 1-2 cm length.

Disinfection of sheds and mangers

Once in way the mangers should be cleaned and whitewashed with lime to keep them clean. Around the bull sheds insecticides also should be sprayed to control ticks and other vectors. The bull sheds also should be cleaned daily with disinfectant solution. At the entry points disinfectant solution also should be provided to make all the visitors coming dip their feet and enter onto the bull sheds. As a precaution it is better not to allow visitors into the bull shed as it disturbs the routine and they carry infection.

Treatment of sick animals

Sick animals should be identified and removed to the sick bull shed for proper treatment. Clinical sheets should be maintained noting all the symptoms, treatment and any investigations done.

Screening of bulls against contagious diseases

Bulls maintained for semen collection should be free from al contagious diseases. They should be regularly screened for Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, John’s disease and Trichomoniasis. Positive reactors should be culled and disposed off. Brucellosis: Once in 3 months T.B, John’s disease: Once in a year Trichomoniasis:As and when suspected All the new entrants should be tested and mixed only if they are free from contagious diseases.

QUARANTINE OF BULLS

New entrants particularly bulls purchased from outside areas other than organized farms should not be mixed with the bull in the bull station immediately. They should be kept in quarantine for 2months and all the tests should be completed and only bulls free from above diseases should be allowed into the bull sheds.

Training of young bulls in semen collection

The bulls after selection at 14-18 months of age should be trained for semen collection in the bull rearing stations. The young bulls should be left in the paddocks in groups and watched from a distance. Generally they mount on each other, sniff the perineum and sheaths of other bulls. When this observed in the paddocks the bulls should be brought to the semen collection yard and trained in semen collection. It is preferable to train the bulls in the morning hours between 7 AM to 9 AM. During this time the weather will be cool and quiet for the bulls. The training should be given gradually and patiently. Rough treatment should be avoided which reflects badly and the bull may become a non reactor and shy bull. In the beginning the bull may not show interest in mounting because of the new surroundings and people. Slowly the bull gets accustomed to the new surroundings and tries to mount after seeing the older bulls mounting. Exerting patience is very important. The bull must learn to mount only on another bull. It should not be trained to mount on female animals. This should not be encouraged. The dummy selected should be smaller than the bull and strong enough to hold the weight. The dummy should not be nervous and help the mounting bull. Time should be allowed till the bull acquaint with the teaser. When the bull starts mounting and shows active desire and sniffs the dummy semen collection can be tried. In the beginning the bull should be allowed to mount and protruding the penis the semen collector should try to handle gently and divert to a side. In this way the bull learns that the semen collector does not harm him. Slowly artificial vagina (A.V) can be given when the bull is anxious to give a thrust. In the beginning the temperature of the A.V. should be 420C and less pressure. Bull thus reacted to A.V should be regularly tried in semen collection once in a week. When once the young bull is donating semen to the A.V confidently it can be transferred to bull stations for entry into regular breeding programme. The bull should be transferred along with its complete file.

Significance of bull nutrition for successful breeding

Much focus is placed on the importance of proper cow nutrition, but too often the nutritional needs of the bull are ignored. The bull stands in the unique position of being responsible for 50 percent of the reproductive success of herd. Thus, the nutrition of this one animal can affect the conception rate of the entire herd. In order for a bull to conceive the most cows possible, he needs to be maintained on a balanced plane of nutrition so that the nutritional requirements in terms of protein, energy, minerals, vitamins etc. are met.

After puberty, bull produces sperm throughout his lifetime in a continuous cycle. This cycle takes roughly 60 days from initial spermatozoa creation from germ cells up to ejaculation of mature sperm in semen. This means that the nutritional status of a bull for the previous 60 days will affect the quality of semen ejaculated today. It also means that fertility in a bull is ever-changing. Just because he was fertile last year doesn’t mean that he will be fertile today. Because sperm production is a continuous process, proper nutrition is critical to maintain peak fertility in bulls. The nutritional quality of feeds and forages can have a tremendous influence on the reproductive performance of bull. Although reproductive failure may occur for several reasons, nutritional management is one of the important contributing  factors.  If  nutritional  requirement  of  a  bull  is  not  met, reproduction is the first body function that is sacrificed therefore; outmost care should be given while feeding bulls for better reproductive performance.

Effect of various nutrients on reproductive performance of bulls

1) Energy: Energy is probably the most important nutritional consideration in cattle production. Animals require energy to grow and to keep the body functioning. Carbohydrates and fats are the primary source of energy in the diet.  Besides being a source of energy, carbohydrates are building blocks for other  nutrients. The  excess  energy  in a  diet is deposited  as  fat, which provides insulation and protection to the body. Energy level in ration has its indirect impact on testicular activities. In male calves, it has been reported that additional dietary energy enhanced onset of puberty primarily via enhanced testicular function, as measured by increased level of serum testosterone, testicular testosterone, Leydig cell size and sperm production (Nolan et al., 1990). Dietary energy up to a level accelerates pre-pubertal development, but beyond a limit there are no positive effects (Pruitt et al.,1986).  Excessive dietary energy (Morrow et al., 1981) as well as critically low dietary energy (Meacham et al., 1963) both can adversely affect libido of yearling and mature beef bulls (Wodzicka-Tomaszewska et al., 1981). In Holstein bulls, low energy intake early in life can delay puberty (VanDemark and Mauger, 1964), but if severely low, then it can permanently impair sperm output (VanDemark et al., 1964).

Level of dietary energy had profound impact on reproductive ability of a bull and should neither be too high nor too less. It should be balanced as per the growing  stage  and  body  condition  of  the  animal.  High  energy  diet  is preferable for growing bulls, but if the growing bull is over conditioned than it need to be cycled down from that high plane of energy, otherwise it will result in more scrotal fat deposition and hamper sperm synthesis. A bull with thin body condition requires to be kept on higher energy level to hasten the body weight gain. For a yearling growing bull, high energy diet is a common practice in commercial farms to achieve the mature body weight as early as possible so that bull may be sold at higher price in short period. But sometimes, high levels of energy have also been shown to impair sperm output and semen quality (Coulter and Kozub, 1984). It may be due to hampered   thermoregulation   at   testicular   level   creating   deteriorating condition for sperm growth.

2) Protein: Protein is the second limiting nutrient in most rations. It is the principal building block of most tissues. The amount of crude protein in an energy-sufficient diet ranges from 8 to 12 per cent. If dietary energy is not adequate to meet demands, it can be supplied by the breakdown of body fat and muscles. However, there is no way for the body to compensate for the prolonged deficiency of dietary protein. Therefore, diets deficient in protein is more critical as it leads to loss of body condition. Inadequate amounts of protein in the diet, further drops off the daily feed consumption, decrease feed passage rates and declines the overall digestive efficiency. Reduced feed intake results in both a protein and energy deficiency.

Protein is the main body building nutrient and its level in diet directly had bearing on animal’s growth and reproduction. It has been seen that ration having high protein (14.45% CP) level had resulted in significantly larger scrotal  circumference,  greater  body  weight,  higher  average  daily  gains, higher body condition score, higher volume of semen, high sperm motility, semen concentration and more total spermatozoa than the rations with low protein (8.51%    CP)  levels (Rekwot et  al.,  1987).  Reduced  CP% in  diet resulted in decreased weight of testes, epididymis and seminal glands. It decreased thickness and diameter of seminiferous epithelium and tubules, respectively (Meacham et al., 1964).

3) Minerals: Minerals play various important roles. Along with building block of skeleton tissue, they are cofactor for various enzymatic and biochemical reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction etc. Minerals as per their requirement  in  the  body  are  divided  into  macro-minerals  and  micro- minerals.       Macro-minerals  include  Calcium,  Phosphorus,  Magnesium, Potassium, Sulfur, Sodium and Chlorine. Micro-minerals include Cobalt, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Selenium, Zinc etc. Copper, Selenium, and Zinc have major role on reproduction as they are the trace minerals most commonly to be deficient in the diet. Copper   (Cu):  Cu  is  required   for   connective  tissue  metabolism,  iron metabolism and for various enzyme activities. It also strengthens immunity. Low copper level reduces reproductive efficiency by inhibiting enzyme activities. Cu deficiency can result in reduced libido, infertility and central nervous system abnormalities in offspring. High levels of iron, sulfur or molybdenum        in  the  soil  o or  additional  feed  supplements  can  further exaggerate these deficiency symptoms. Newborns are very dependent on copper acquired during the prenatal period since copper levels in milk are poor. Therefore, proper copper nutrition in gestating females is critical to maintain body stores in newborns. Selenium (Se): Most of the Se found in the testes is associated with phospholipid,    hydro   peroxide   glutathione   peroxidase,   which   is   an antioxidant that protects the cells from oxidative stress (Boitani and Puglisi, 2008). Se deficiency results in reduced semen viability (Slaweta et al., 1988). Se in association with thyroxin regulates metabolism and reproduction. Se form complexes with heavy metals to render them harmless. Severe Se deficiency result in white muscle disease, leads to stiffness and heart failure. Unfortunately, the amount of Se required is very close to its toxicity level, thus great care must be taken while supplementing Se. The maximum level of selenium that can be legally fed to cattle is 0.3 PPM in the total ration (dry matter basis). Zinc (Zn): Zn is essential for spermatogenesis (Apagar, 1985). Zn regulates sperm motility as along with ATP, Zn helps in sperm contraction (Hidiroglou and Knipfel, 1984). Zn affects the production and secretion of testosterone, insulin and adrenal corticosteroids. As an integral component of over 300 enzymes, Zn is associated with numerous biological processes (McDowell et al., 1993). Hypo-gonadism is observed in Zn-deprived bull calves (Pitts et al., 1966). Deficiency reduces pituitary gonadotropin output and androgen production in rats (Kellokumpu and Rajaniemi. 1981). Metabolic interactions may occur between Zn and vitamin A metabolism (Smith, 1982.). Zinc deficient rats have reduced vitamin A (Apagar, 1985). Zinc enhances vitamin A uptake in bovine sperm (Swamp and Sekhon, I975).

Calcium (Ca): Help in sperm capacitation which results increased influx of Ca through plasma membrane. This process assists fusion of the plasma membrane and the outer acrosomal membrane and subsequent initiation of the acrosome reaction (Triana et al., 1980). Ca is important for sperm motility.      Sperm  motility  is  correlated  with  cyclic  AMP  concentration. Calcium, along with magnesium and manganese, is a potent stimulator of adenylate cyclase, an enzyme that converts adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to cAMP       (Rojas et al., 1992). The  ratio of Ca to phosphorus should be maintained between 1.5:1 and 3:1 to avoid an imbalance.

      4) Vitamins

Vitamin-A:  The rat has been used extensively in studies of the effects of vitamin A deficiency upon mammalian reproduction. In the male rat, classic symptoms of vitamin A deficiency include inhibition of spermatogenesis, reduction        in  testicular  size,  and  decline  in  testicular  steroidogenesis (Ganguly et al., 1980). In the male, vitamin A deficiency is associated with degeneration of testicular germinal epithelium, resulting in either reduction or  cessation  of  spermatogenesis,  depending  upon  the  severity  of  the deficiency (Maynard et al., 1979). Bulls fed diets deficient in vitamin A have delayed puberty, reduced libido, and reduced spermatogenesis (Hodgson et al., 1946). Vitamin-E:   Vitamin  E  deficiency  has  a  deleterious  effect  on  germ  cell proliferation.  Effect  of  vitamin  E  occurs  directly  or  indirectly  on  the regulation of intra-testicular factors which regulate specific steps of germ cell development (Cooper et al., 1987). In the male rat, vitamin E deficiency causes a degeneration of the germinal epithelium (Scott, 1978), and Se deficiency results in an inhibition of spermatogenesis (Wu et al., 1973.). In the latter case, supplemental vitamin E does not alleviate the Se deficiency symptoms. Vitamin E deficiency in the male rat does not impair LH and testosterone or FSH and inhibin feedback loops, but rather causes testicular degeneration at the intra-testicular level (Cooper et al., 1987). Vitamin E may affect germ cell development through some mechanism other than as a cellular antioxidant.

5) The effect of calfhood nutrition on gonadotropic hormone secretions: Calf destined to become later maturing bulls with smaller testis had lower amount of LH secretion during the period of the early gonadotropin rise (8- 16 wk of age). Furthermore, increasing circulating LH concentrations at this time by treating calves GnRH hastened pubertal development. In addition, FSH treatments in calfhood also increased scrotal circumference and hastened spermatogenesis. In this regard, FSH has been considered a main driver of Sertoli cell proliferation in pre-pubertal animals. Since Sertoli cell multiplication ceases at 20-25 wk of age in bulls, final testis size in bulls is likely determined in calfhood. Experiments conducted to investigate the effect of calfhood nutrition on pubertal development confirms that superior calfhood nutrition augmented gonadotropin secretion (which is probably mediated by metabolic hormones); this resulted in larger testis at 1 year of age and earlier onset of spermatogenesis (Barth et. al., 2008).

      6) Effect of feeding Bull supplement developed by the NDDB:

A bull supplement containing chelated minerals, coated vitamins and herbs was developed by the Animal Nutrition group of NDDB after conducting series of feeding trials on breeding bulls of different breeds. Trial results and economic analysis of feeding the bull supplement of some of the trials are given below in brief. Feeding trials on bull supplement were organized for one full year at ABC, Salon and SAG, Bidaj, on 50 breeding bulls at each farm. One feeding trial was also conducted at BAIF’s Bull Station in Uruli-Kanchan, Pune for a period of 6 months on 9 breeding bulls, before commercial launching of the supplement. On feeding the supplement, there was average increase in semen doses by about 329 per bull per month at SAG, Bidaj, 476 at ABC, Salon and 800 at BAIF. In addition, there was also improvement in sperm plasma membrane integrity and per cent intact acrosomes, as recorded by the QC labs of respective semen stations.

The supplement is now commercially produced in 5 mm pellets by Indian Immunologicals Ltd., Hyderabad at its cattle feed plant, Rajkot, under the brand name “Nandi Bull Supplement” for improving the quality and quantity of semen in breeding bulls.  The supplement is available in packets of 250 g, each of the packets required to be fed daily per bull.

7) Anti-nutritional Factors hindering bull fertility:

1) Gossypol: Chinese researches reported gossypol as a potent male contraceptive. Feeding cottonseed products at high levels and/or for long periods of time hindered bull fertility (Chase et al., 1989). In routine use of 3- 5 lbs of cottonseed meal is most unlikely to expose the breeding animals to the levels of gossypol needed to cause reproductive problems (Martin, 1990). Add 4000 IU of vitamin E/head/day to neutralize the effects of gossypol.

2) Molybdenum toxicity: Displayed complete lack of libido, and histological examination showed seminiferous tubules and testicular interstitial tissue to be in various stages of degeneration and devoid of spermatids. Damage to germinal epithelial tissue was irreversible (Thomas and Moss, 1951)

 Significance of Breeding Bull Management

1. Genetic Improvement: Breeding bulls are responsible for transmitting desirable genetic traits to the offspring, such as increased milk production, meat quality, and disease resistance.
2. Productivity Enhancement: Proper management of breeding bulls leads to increased reproductive efficiency, resulting in a higher number of calves and reduced calving intervals.
3. Sustainable Agriculture: Improved genetics through better breeding practices contribute to the sustainability of livestock farming, ensuring the availability of healthy, productive cattle.
4. Economic Prosperity: Efficient breeding practices lead to higher income for livestock farmers, as they can sell superior quality animals for dairy and meat production.
5. Practices Involved in Breeding Bull Management
6. Selection: The process begins with selecting superior bulls with desirable traits, such as good conformation, high milk or meat yield, and disease resistance. In India, indigenous cattle breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, and Red Sindhi are often preferred for dairy and dual-purpose farming.
7. Healthcare: Maintaining the health of breeding bulls is critical. Regular veterinary care, vaccination, deworming, and proper nutrition are essential for their well-being.
8. Nutrition: Providing a balanced diet is crucial to ensure the optimal growth and development of breeding bulls. Nutrient-rich feed promotes fertility and overall health.
9. Housing and Comfort: Adequate housing facilities that protect bulls from extreme weather conditions and ensure their comfort are essential for their productivity and well-being.
10. Reproductive Management: Timely and accurate breeding is crucial. Artificial insemination (AI) is a common practice in India to ensure successful mating and genetic improvement.

III. Impact on the Livestock Industry

1. Genetic Progress: Effective breeding bull management is pivotal in achieving genetic progress, leading to improved livestock genetics and higher-quality cattle.
2. Increased Productivity: Well-managed breeding bulls result in higher reproductive rates, increased milk and meat production, and shorter calving intervals.
3. Disease Resistance: Proper healthcare and vaccination contribute to disease resistance, reducing the economic losses associated with cattle diseases.
4. Income Generation: Improved breeding practices lead to the sale of superior quality calves, contributing to the economic well-being of livestock farmers.
5. Sustainable Agriculture: Effective breeding bull management supports the long-term sustainability of agriculture in India by ensuring a consistent supply of healthy and productive cattle.

Challenges and Considerations

1. Access to Quality Bulls: Access to superior quality breeding bulls can be a challenge in remote or underserved regions. Initiatives to improve bull availability are crucial.
2. Healthcare Services: Ensuring access to veterinary services, especially in rural areas, is essential for the health and well-being of breeding bulls.
3. Awareness and Education: Raising awareness among livestock farmers about the significance of breeding bull management and educating them about best practices is critical.
4. Genetic Conservation: Protecting and conserving indigenous cattle breeds is essential to maintain genetic diversity and adaptability in changing environmental conditions.
5. Government Initiatives
6. National Mission on Bovine Productivity (NMBP): The Indian government’s NMBP aims to improve breeding practices, enhance milk and meat production, and ensure the availability of high-quality breeding bulls.
7. Integrated Dairy Development Schemes: Several state and central government schemes support dairy development, including breeding bull management, through the provision of subsidies, training, and infrastructure development.

Conclusion

Breeding bull management is a fundamental aspect of the livestock sector in India. It has far-reaching implications for genetic improvement, increased productivity, economic prosperity, and the sustainability of agriculture. By implementing best practices, ensuring access to quality bulls and veterinary care, raising awareness, and protecting indigenous cattle breeds, India can maximize the potential of its livestock industry. Government initiatives further support these efforts, reinforcing the importance of breeding bull management for the country’s agricultural and economic growth. Ultimately, well-managed breeding bulls are the backbone of India’s livestock sector, ensuring the availability of superior quality cattle for both dairy and meat production.

A planned and scientific approach in nutritional management can upgrade the reproductive quality of breeding bulls. Bulls fed as per their actual requirement since calfhood achieve the puberty in right time and have large scrotal circumference and higher gonadotropic hormone release, which result in healthy and fertile sperms.

Compiled  & Shared by- This paper is a compilation of groupwork provided by the

Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)

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GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR SUCCESSFUL DAIRY FARMING IN INDIA