Introduction to Livestock Production and Management

Animal production and management is a branch of veterinary science that deals with housing,
breeding, feeding, and health care of different domesticated livestock. In other word it deals with
production and protection of different classes of domesticated livestock aiming for maximum
economic returns. Major domesticated animal are : cattle, buffalo, horse, sheep, goats, pig,
poultry, and rabbit including pet animal as well as wild animals.

Comparatively veterinary science is a very difficult subject as the animal cannot speak and tells,
its grievances and suffering but however sometimes they show signals regarding their illness.
Veterinarians has to ask the owner regarding the signs and symptoms of suffering animal and
examine clinically to identify the pain and disease of the animal. He has to use his skills,
technical knowledge for proper diagnosis and appropriate measures for treating the animal.

Identification of breeds of cattle:

Indigenous breed: Means native to the area.

The indigenous cattle population in various ecozones consists of Lulu, Achami, Siri, Pahari,
Khaila, Terai, and Yak. Yak is mountain cattle suitable for draft and milk. Siri cattle are foundin
Illam. It is said that pure siri is already extinct from Nepal. Lulu are found in mustang and
suitable for hardness, require low input and better in cold climate. Achhami cattle is found in far
western region and is that smallest breed in that world they are suitable for draught and milk.
Terai cattle are found in terai and are suitable for hot climate, raised for milk and draught
purpose. Achhami and lulu cattle are potentially endangered breed because their population is
declining year after year.

Important character of indigenous breed:

 Disease resistance
 Heat tolerance
 Adaptation to local condition
 It can climb steep hills and mountain for grazing
 It has ability to better utilization of coarse roughage
 Easy to parturition
 Milk yield range 360-760Lt/ lactation
Breed Distribution
Lulu/kirko High mountain of western and estern terai, mustang
Achhami Western part of hills, Achham district
Siri High area of estern region
Pahari Found in mountain , hill and terai
Terai Terai region
Yak High mountain
Khaila Hill to high mountain

Most exotic breeds ( whose crosses are common ) of cattle dominating in Nepal are Jersey and
Holstein Friesian. These days crossbreeding is being practiced at every level without any
consideration of maintaining purity of local breeds, therefore the pure breed are almost in danger
of extinction.

Indigenous breed;

1). Siri cattle:

Siri (Bos indicus) humped type cattle. Suitable for hilly region 1400-2000m altitude. Located in
Illam district.body color varies from black to white ie. Brown, grey, white, spotted black and
white. The neck is fairly short and dewlap is moderate in size with well developed udder. adult
body weight average 286 kg. body length is 127 cm. heart girth ranges 135 to 159cm. wither
height average 116 cm. ear is straight with an average length of 17 cm, average tail length is
116cm. good milk yielder (4.4L/Day). pure siri is Extinct from the country.

2). Achhami:

( Bos indicus). Hump type cattle, smallest cattle in the world. Specially found in the hills of
Achham district,. It is also known as sano gain, or naumuthe gain. Black is domination body
coat color (7209%). They have multipurpose use such as milk, draught and manure. The
population of these cattle along with cross breed has been estimated to be 3.2% of the total cattle
population. But the pure Achhami cattle population may have greatly reduced. It is difficult to
find pure Achhami cattle these days because they are decreasing in number due to indiscriminate
cross breeding with local hill cattle. They may disappear if measure are not taken for their
conservation. Average milk yielder (1.6L/Day).

3). Lulu:

(Bos Taurus) humpless type cattle, found in high hills, particularly in manang and mustang
district. this is supposed to have good potential for milk production in scarce feeding resources
area. The cattle breed is smaller in size requiring less amount of feed but produce maximum of
2.5liter per day. The total population of lulu cattle is estimated to be around 0.2% of total cattle
population of the country. Suitable for cool and dry climate. Average milk yielder (1.6L/Day).
Generally black or brown or white in color.

4). Terai:

(bos indicus) located in terai region. Suitable for tropical and sub-tropical condition. Female
are average milk yielder (2.1L /Day) and male are good animal for transportation and ploughing
of land. these cattle are mainly white and red coat color. They are occasionally found in black
and other mixed color.

5). Pahadi;

(Bos indicus) found in mountain and hills. Adaptable for hilly region. Hardy animal. Female
are poor milk yielder (1.1L/Day) and males are good draught animal. Generally black and brown
color.

6). Khaila :

(Bos indicus) doteli gai. Located in hill to high mountain. Found in doti and dadeldhura district
of far western region. These cattle are well adapted and graze on the slopes of the hills and
mountains. The khaila cattle are strongly built humped cattle of moderate height with long body
and legs are moderately developed.these cow have straight hanging udder with elongated teats.
The heifer reach puberty at 3.3 years of age. Calving interval of this breeed is 18 month. Usually
bull are castrate for use of draught purpose. Average milk ( 2.5L/Day). Black and white in color.

7). Yak:

(Bos grunniens) mountain cattle, these are long haired, bushy tailed and flat headed animal.
The yak is unique animal well adapted to the cold and high altitude habitat, is one of the world
most remarkable species of livestock found in Himalayan region. The animal are raised from
3000-5000m altitude from sea level. Body color carries from black to white with thick fur .very
useful animal for mountain people as they are used for transportation as well as for milk and
meat. Male is known as yak and female as nak. Cross is called chauri. Chauri is strong and good
for transportation. Milk yield ( 0.8L/Day).