By Prashant Jalan, Founder, Chairman, and Managing Director, Bengal Nestor’s Industries Limited (BNIL)
The dairy industry has long been a pillar of rural economies throughout India’s enormous and varied agricultural environment. With over 300 million cows and buffaloes nationwide, dairy farming is an important sector that supports millions of farmers. However, issues with milk yield, genetic quality, disease control, and herd management techniques have historically hampered the sector’s expansion. Recent developments in dairy genetics and bovine IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) have given dairy owners new opportunities to improve herd genetics and productivity, providing substantial growth and profitability opportunities. It is indisputable that bovine IVF and dairy genetics can increase milk output in terms of both quality and quantity.
India accounts for almost 22 per cent of the world’s milk production, making it the world’s largest producer. Despite this, India’s average milk production per cow is still poor when compared to other wealthy nations. In India, the average cow produces 1,200 litres of milk annually, significantly less than the potential of high-yielding breeds like Jersey or Holstein Friesians, which under ideal circumstances may produce over 6,000 litres annually. This low yield is caused by several problems, such as inadequate breeding techniques, subpar genetic stock, restricted access to veterinary care, and a dearth of cutting-edge farming equipment. Nonetheless, the Indian dairy industry is changing as there is a growing need to enhance milk yield and herd genetics.
What is Bovine IVF and How Does It Work?
In a lab setting, a cow’s egg (oocyte) is fertilised with a bull’s sperm as part of the reproductive technology known as bovine IVF. The embryo created from the fertilised egg is then put into a recipient cow, also known as a surrogate mother, to bring the pregnancy to term. Without having to wait for natural breeding cycles or the actual mating process, this method allows dairy owners to quickly increase superior genetic features, such as high milk yield, illness resistance, and improved general health.
Role of Dairy Genetics in Improving Milk Yields
The study and use of genetic principles to enhance the health and productivity of dairy animals is known as dairy genetics. It entails choosing breeding animals according to desired characteristics such as longevity, illness resistance, high milk yield, and reproductive efficiency. Traditional crossbreeding efforts have historically influenced dairy genetics in India. To increase milk output, it has long been normal practice to crossbreed native cows like Gir, Sahiwal, and Kankrej with high-yielding breeds like Jersey and Holstein Friesians. However, because genetic features are complicated and managing crossbred herds may be difficult, the findings have frequently been uneven. Advanced genetic screening and bovine IVF provide a more focused and accurate breeding strategy.
Economic Benefits and Business Prospects
Increased Milk Yield and Productivity: The potential for higher milk yield is one of the most direct economic advantages of bovine IVF and enhanced dairy genetics. Farmers can raise their herds’ total output by choosing animals with better genetic features for increased milk production. Because IVF can help them acquire higher-quality genetics without the need for costly bull semen or superior breeding stock, even small-scale farmers stand to gain from this. Higher productivity in India’s dairy industry could arise from this, possibly producing more milk than is needed. In addition to generating export prospects, this can assist in meeting the rising domestic demand for milk and dairy products. The Indian dairy industry is already one of the largest in the world, and through improved genetics, it has the potential to further strengthen its position in the global market.
Enhanced Reproductive Efficiency and Herd Management: The ability of bovine IVF to increase dairy herds’ reproductive efficiency is a noteworthy additional advantage. Farmers may ensure that the best animals contribute to the next generation by using IVF to create more offspring from superior genetic lines. Additionally, IVF can lessen the need for expensive and time-consuming natural mating or artificial insemination. This facilitates the management of breeding programmes and speeds up the genetic advancement of herds. Farmers can shorten the time it takes for an animal to attain its maximum production potential by enhancing herd management and reproductive rates. This helps farmers scale their operations more effectively and results in increased income from each cow.
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