The Department of Sheep Husbandry Kashmir is
headed by a Director, headquartered at Lal-Mandi,
Srinagar, Kashmir. Sheep Husbandry Department, J
& K came into existence in the year 1962 as a
separate department with the main objective of
promoting sheep and goat development in the
state having sufficient scope and potential
owing to bountiful pastures and meadow lands
presenting nutrient grasses and herbage for the
pastoral activities. Latter in 1982 department was bifurcated with separate Directorates for the two divisions of Kashmir and Jammu.
Selective
breeding
(Improvement in traits is
achieved by way of introduction of Elite rams/bucks into flocks
-1700 Govt. Breeding Rams currently in field )
Source of
Elite Rams and bucks
a) Departmental farms.
b) Local gene pool
Health Cover and Extension
Executed
through:-
446 Sheep
Extension Centres
39 First Aid
Centres
Temporary
Camps (1. Established at HLPs,
2. Established along migratory routes)
Employment Generation & Expansion of Livestock
Assistance to
interested persons in establishing sheep & goat units under central
and UT sector schemes.
Around 2900
sheep and goat units have been established during last 10 years
under RKVY, MSF, TSP etc.
↓
Direct employment
to 2900 persons.
Fodder Development
Provisions to
progressive breeders/farmers:-
High quality
fodder seeds
Chaff cutters
Fodder Production
(hay) in Departmental Farms
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21
8810 Qntls
6087 Qntls
6141 Qntls
6955.28 Qntls
7460.14 Qntls
4681.73 Qntls
Institutional Resources
Types of
Assets
Total
Sheep Breeding Farms
8
Goat Farm
1
Rabbit Farm
1
Sheep Extension Centres
446
First Aid Centres
39
Veterinary
Hospitals/Dispensaries
7
Laboratories
11
Human Resource
Gazetted
Non-Gazetted/Class-IV
Total
Sanctioned Strength
219
2258
2477
In position
184
1705
1889
Vacant
35
553
588
LiveStock Development
Besides
various fine wool breeds like Australian Merino, Russian
Merino, Russian Su the Department has introduced some
dual purpose breeds of sheep like Corridale and
Polldorset in areas like Sonawari, Shopian and Kulgam to
quickly enhance the production of mutton. The Corridale
breed has adapted well to the local environment and
proved quite popular among the breeders in Orchards.
Breeds maintained: Besides various fine wool breeds like
Australian Merino, Russian Merino, Russian Stevropol,
the Department has introduced some dual purpose breeds
of sheep like Corridale and Polldorset in areas like
Sonawari, Shopian and Kulgam to quickly enhance the
production of mutton. The Corridale breed has adapted
well to the local environment and proved quite popular
among the breeders having orchards. However, the details
of breeds maintained at various farms are given as
under:
Farm
Breeds maintained
Sheep Breeding Farm
Daksum
Kashmir
Merino, Imported Australian Merino
Sheep Breeding Farm
Kralpathri
Kashmir
Merino
Sheep Breeding Farm
Zawoora
Corriedale
Sheep Breeding Farm
Kew
Kashmir Merino
Sheep Breeding Farm
Dachigam/Khimber
Kashmir Merino
Sheep Breeding Farm
Goabal
Kashmir Merino,
Research on FEC-B gene
Goat Farm Arin
Dardpora
Sheep Breeding Farm
Hardshiva
Kashmir Merino
Sheep Breeding Farm
Poshnar
Kashmir Merino
Sheep Shearing/Dipping
1. WHY
SHOULD WE SHEAR SHEEP?
Shearing must be practiced for the health and hygiene of each individual animal.
Unlike other animals, most sheep are unable to shed. If a sheep goes too long
without being shorn, a number of problems occur.
The excess
wool impedes the ability of sheep to regulate their body temperatures. This
can cause sheep to become overheated and die.
Urine, faces
and other materials become trapped in the wool, attracting flies, maggots
and other pests. This causes irritation, infections and endangers the health
of the animal.
Sheep with
large amounts of wool can become immobilised by physical obstacles in their
path and are more susceptible to predator attacks.Preparation
for Shearing
o Don't use any non-approved non-scourable marking
crayons or colour sprays in the weeks leading to
shearing.
o Don't use any insecticide chemical on the fleece for 6 weeks
before shearing.
o Remove all collars from pet sheep.
o Remove any foreign material from the fleece (leaves, pieces of
wire, hayseeds, etc.)
o Warn shearers of any ear tags.
The Act of Shearing, and there after
oShearing can be stressful
for sheep.
oShearing requires skill to
shorn efficiently and quickly, without causing harm to sheep or
shearer.
o Try not to feed sheep
the night before shearing so their stomachs are empty making it
more comfortable for them while being shorn.
oBecause newly shorn sheep
become colder faster, place them in paddocks with windbreaks and
plenty of pasture.
oThe best time to apply louse
and fly strike prevention treatments is right after shearing.
o Providing sheep with coats
or covers are a good option on small farms when the weather is
cold or wet.
"To
be a good shepherd is to shear the flock, not skin it"
2.
SHEARING OF SHEEP
Sheep make a valuable contribution to the livelihood of the
economically weaker sections of the society especially in the
mountainous areas by its multifaceted utility of producing wool,
meat, hides and manure etc. Wool is an important product of
sheep which continuously grows on it and its utility and value
depends upon its quality. The fibre fineness and the staple
length are two very important characteristics of the wool
determining its value and utilisation. The finest wool with good
staple length is used in the worsted system of yarn production
and for manufacture of best quality suiting. Kashmir Merino
developed in Kashmir is a fine wool breed of sheep comparable to
the best wool breeds of the world. Its wool has a fibre diameter
of 21 to 22 microns which is considered as the best by all
standards.
The act of cutting or removal of wool from the body of sheep is
termed as shearing. Sheep are washed at least two days before
shearing in order to remove dirt, suint and grease which hinder
shearing. Shearing is generally done twice a year in Kashmir
during spring and autumn months. Some producers prefer to shear
pregnant ewes before lambing. If ewes cannot be completely shorn
before lambing, they should be “crotched out†by shearing
the wool from the udder and dock area and from the head and eyes
of those breeds with wool on the face. This will make lambing
and nursing easier. Shearing before breeding in summer season
tends to increase the heat loss from the body and cools the ewe
and ram, thus inducing oestrus in the ewe and stimulating
spermatogenesis in the ram. The traditional way of clipping
wool is the hand shearing by using shearing scissors. It is now
an out dated practice and is getting replaced by machine
shearing.
Shearing doesn't usually hurt a sheep. However, shearing
requires skill so that the sheep is shorn efficiently and
quickly without causing cuts or injury to the sheep or shearer.
Most sheep are sheared with shears or shearing machines. The
fleece is removed in one piece. Some sheep are sheared manually
with scissors or hand blades. While some farmers shear their own
sheep, many hire professional sheep shearers. In many countries,
including the United States, there is a growing shortage of
qualified sheep shearers. Many states hold annual sheep shearing
schools. A professional shearer can shear a sheep in less than 2
minutes. The world record is 37.9 seconds. It was set in 2016 by
Ivan Scott from Ireland. "It is the duty of a good shepherd to shear his sheep, not to
skin them". (Tiberius)
3. METHODS OF SHEARING:-
1 Hand shearing
2 Machine shearing
Hand shearing:
Blade shears consist of two blades arranged similarly to
scissors except that the hinge is at the end farthest from the
point (not in the middle). The cutting edges pass each other as
the shearer squeezes them together and shear the wool close to
the animal's skin. Blade shears are still used today but in a
more limited way. Blade shears leave some wool on a sheep and
this is more suitable for cold climates such as the Canterbury
high country in the South Island of New Zealand where
approximately half a million sheep are still shorn with blade
shears each year. For those areas where no powered-machinery is
available blade shears are the only option. Blades are more
commonly used to shear stud rams.
Machine shearing:
Machine shears, known as handpieces, operate in a similar manner
to human hair clippers in that a power-driven toothed blade,
known as a cutter, is driven back and forth over the surface of
a comb and the wool is cut from the animal. The original machine
shears were powered by a fixed hand-crank linked to the
handpiece by a shaft with only two universal joints, which
afforded a very limited range of motion. Later models have more
joints to allow easier positioning of the handpiece on the
animal. Electric motors on each stand have generally replaced
overhead gear for driving the handpieces. The jointed arm is
replaced in many instances with a flexible shaft. Smaller
motors allowed the production of shears in which the motor is in
the handpiece; these are generally not used by professional
shearers as the weight of the motor and the heat generated by it
becomes bothersome with long use.
Advantages of Machine Shearing over hand shearing:
It is less time consuming as it requires just 4 to 5 minutes for shearing of
each animal against 20 to 30 minutes by hand shearing.
It causes a smooth or uniform shave over the animal body as against hand
shearing where the wool cut is irregular.
Staple length is more in mechanical shearing than in hand shearing.
Chances of injuries and wounds in mechanical shearing are less than in hand
shearing.
It does not exert stress on and is convenient for the animal as compared to
hand shearing.
Machine shearing is a value addition to the wool and it fetches more prices.
Prevent buildup of manure and urine that can lead to parasitic infection.
4. PROCEDURE OF MACHINE SHEARING IN SHEEP
1) The sheep must be held properly in a comfortable position to
prevent its struggling during shearing. Most shearers use the
method in which the sheep is set upon its rump and supported
firmly between the shearer's knees.
2) The skin should be stretched so that it is smooth in the area
being shorn.
3) Wool fibres should be cut only once next to the skin to avoid
"second cuts" or short fibres of reduced value.
4) Belly wool, leg wool and tags have a lower value and should
be kept separate from the higher-quality wool from the back,
neck and sides.
5) The fleece should be removed in one piece so that it will
remain together when tied.
6) The fleece should be tied only with paper wool twine to
prevent contamination.
Step by Step Procedure of Shearing
Catching and Holding
Start at the top of the brisket
Move to the first back leg
Don't forget the tails
The undermine
The neck
The Shoulders
The long blows
Cheek and right front leg
The Final Sweeps
5. PRECAUTIONS DURING MACHINE SHEARING OF SHEEP
1) Cutters and combs should be sharp; and they should be
cleaned, resharpened and lubricated after each job of shearing.
2) The shearing floor should be clean and free of straw or
chaff. It should be swept clean of second cuts and manure tags
after each shearing.
3) Sheep must be dry before shearing. Wet wool tends to heat up
and become discoloured.
4) Be extremely careful when shearing around the udder, scrotum,
sheath, loose skin of the flank and hamstring.
5) Never lift the unshorn fleece with the left hand and attempt
to shear it off. This lifts the skin as well, which will be cut
in shearing. Instead, use your left hand to stretch the skin
away from the shearer.
6) Use a shearing glove on the non-shearing hand to protect
yourself against injury from the handpiece.
7) Keep the electric cord of the shearer behind you so that it
cannot be cut, thus preventing electric shock.
8) Do not rush through the shearing procedure in an attempt to
increase speed. The appearance of the shorn sheep (which should
have a minimum of cuts) and the condition of the fleece are as
important as speed. An experienced shearer can shear a sheep in
5 minutes or less, which works out to about 100 sheep per day.
9) Newly shorn sheep should be protected from the cold and rain
until they have had time to regrow some wool cover.
6. PREVENTION OF WOUND BREAKDOWN IN SHEEP SHEARING WOUNDS
Shearers should take care to avoid causing shearing wounds.
When stitching a large shearing wound, shearers can minimize the
risk of contamination and assist the healing process by taking
the following steps:
- Keeping needles and cotton in antiseptic
solution
- Washing the wound site and your hands with a suitable
antiseptic solution
- Keeping stitches less than 3cm apart
- Spraying the stitched wound with a suitable antiseptic
spray
- Marking the sheep so it can be easily identified and the
healing wound can be assessed. Usually, a wound is completely
healed between two and four weeks, depending on its size and
location. Severe wounds that involve more than the skin layer
(deep hamstring wounds or open belly wounds) and wounds to
sensitive areas (the pizzle and teats) are painful and stitching
must not be attempted. Seek immediate veterinary advice or
humanely euthanase the animal.
Sheep suffering pain or distress from any severe wounds or
wound infections must not be transported. If you are unsure
whether or not the animal is fit to load, seek veterinary
advice.
DIPPING
Dipping means putting or washing animal in medicated water in
order to cure or prevent from ectoparasites, sheep scab, mange,
get clean wool, remove waste materials and dung from fleece and
keep away sheep blow flies. It is usually done once in a year
before post winter shearing or before post autumn shearing. It
is also done when the incidence of ectoparasites is high. After
about 10 days shearing is followed by dipping.
Methods of Dipping:
A.Hand bath: it is used for
small flock. Sheep are lifted one by one into a tank of
galvanized iron (1.2 x1.0x0.5 m) and kept for 2 minutes. Sheep
are then placed on drain board to drain off surplus dip back
into tank.
B.Swim bath: it is used for
large sized flock. Two to three sheep are dipped at a time.
Examples:
Injectibles: Ivermectin, Doramectin and Moxidectin (@200
μg/kg b.w s/c ) in Late spring (1 to 31
May) and late autumn (1st to 30th November ).May be repeated
after 7-15 days, if needed, in case of severely affected
animals.
Insecticides: like Diazinon (0.01%), Flumethtrin (0.5%),
Coumaphos (0.1%). Spraying or dipping with insecticides may
be repeated in case of heavy infestations as per
circumstantial evidences
Precautions:
1.Avoid dipping in advanced
stage of pregnancy.
2.Always water the sheep
before dipping to avoid drinking of dip solution.
3.Avoid dipping on rainy days
so that dip may not be washed off.
4.Avoid dipping of sick
animals, animals with wounds and young lambs.
5.Avoid dipping in rams in
breeding season to guard from injury to pen
Kashmir Merino
The
National Agriculture Commission recommended development of
fine wool breeds in the state. Local Kashmir valley ewes
were crossed with Australian Merino Rams & F1 Ewes were bred
to Delain Rams of USA. F2 were bred among themselves after
proper selection on the basis of wool quality & body weight.
The matting among F2 generation continued till a breed with
steady & uniform characters evolved which was named as
"Kashmir Merino".
The breed is comparable to some of
the finest wool breeds of the world with fiber diameter
of 20-24 Microns, besides attaining higher birth weaning
& adult body weight.
New Page 1
Some traits of economic importance of Kashmir Merino are as under:
Sex
Birth Wt.
( Kgs)
Weaning Wt.
( Kgs)
Weight at 1 Year
( Kgs)
Weight at 2 Year
( Kgs)
Greasy Fleace Wt.
( Kgs)
Staple length
(Cms.)
Fibre Diameter
( Microns)
Male
3.6
22.40
42.00
53.60
4.1
5.7
21.1
Female
3.5
21.50
35.30
47.70
3.4
5.5
19.7
Characteristics of some local/Indigenous sheep
Breed
Birth
Wt.
( Kgs)
Weaning Wt.
( Kgs)
Weight
at 1 Year
( Kgs)
Weight
at 2 Year
( Kgs)
Greasy
Fleace Wt.
( Kgs)
Staple
length
(Cms.)
Fibre
Diameter
( Microns)
Medullation
%
Kashmir valley
1.500
8.500
18.0
25.000.
0.860
8.00
29.4
12.0
Gaddie
1.800
9.000
17.000
26.000
0.817
6.800
29.3
25.0
Karnahi
2.000
9.500
18.000
27.000
0.950
10.0
44.2
14.0
Gurezi
2.200
9.500
21.000
27.000
1.250
9.50
31.o
27.0
The Department established sheep breeding farms at
different locations for under taking cross breeding & other research programmes
on scientific lines. Rams are being produced in these farms for serving the
private flocks for their up gradation. Presently the Department runs 8 such
farms in the various districts of the valley.
Simultaneously
sheep Extension Centers were opened at length & breadth of the state to
facilitate cross breeding & genetic improvement of local livestock, and other
technical programmes like Castrations, Lamb markings, Docking, Health cover,
Mechanical shearing & Education of farmers about Scientific farming practices.
The Department has so far distributed about 29000 breeding rams produced in its
farms for crossbreeding in private flocks. Importation of livestock was also
made on many occasions & breeds like Russian Stavropol, Rambouillet, Corriedale
& Merino?s were imported from countries like USSR, USA & Newzealand for
introducing the blood into the local livestock. Corriedale a dual purpose breed
known for producing more wool and lamb has been introduced in belts of Shopian
and Sonawari and reared in orchards and silvipastoral practices are encouraged.
EVOLUTION OF KASHMIR MERINO
Forage Production
Department of Sheep
Husbandry Kashmir has a separate wing of Agriculture meant for
fodder development out of its own resources to meet the
requirement of the departmental livestock at various Sheep
Breeding Farms. Moreover, the department is also engaged for
improving the fodder production of the farmers associated with
sheep & goat rearing. In this regard many initiatives have been
taken in the past under various centrally sponsored schemes like
RKVY, ATMA, NLM and Feed & Fodder development. Various inputs
have been provided to the farmers which include distribution of
quality seed kits like Red Clover, Annual/Perennial Rye Grass,
Tall Fescue, White Clover, Hybrid Oats, Berseem etc. and
provision of machinery like chaff cutters, brush cutters on
subsidized rates.
During the past few years the department has distributed Seed mini
Kits & Chaff Cutters (Hand/Power driven) to various
beneficiaries.
The department has a total land availability of 3,000 Kanals for
fodder production and efforts are on to reclaim more and more
areas for fodder production to meet the requirement of
departmental farm animals. Since the stall feeding of farm
animals extends from 15th November to 15th April, the department
has to spend a large amount of budget on feed & fodder
requirement of livestock and the department makes all efforts
through its Agriculture Section to achieve self-sufficiency in
the fodder requirements. On an average an adult farm sheep
requires 2.25 quintals of fodder during stall feeding and on an
average the department requires 9,000-10,000 quintals of fodder
annually. The department is marching towards self-sufficiency as
regards the production of quality fodder. Presently the
department grows the Rabi crops of Oats and Rye Grass on about
2000 kanals and Kharief Crops of M.P Charri (Sorghum) on the
same area of land and perennial crops of Rye grass & Clovers on
about 1000 kanals of land.
The annual
production of fodder grasses of the department currently is
about 5000 quintals. The major fodder production stations of the
department are as follows:-
S.No
Name of
the Farm/Location
Location
Land
put to Cultivation under
Annual
crop (Kanals)
Land
put to Cultivation under
Perennial crop (Kanals)
Total
land under cultivation
(Annual+Perennial)
(Kanals)
1.
SBF
Daksum
Anantnag
-
400
400
2.
SBF
Goabal
Ganderbal
200
-
200
3.
SBF
Kralpathri
Budgam
-
242
242
4.
SBF
Zawoora
Pulwama
800
-
800
5.
SBF
Kewa
Kulgam
32
200
232
6.
SBF
Poshnar
Kupwara
700
-
700
7.
SBF
Hardshiva
Baramulla
70
-
70
8.
ARF
Wussan
Baramulla
35
50
85
9.
GF
Arindardpora
Bandipora
70
-
70
10.
Fodder
station Kunan
Bandipora
10
-
10
11.
FF
Topper
Baramulla
130
-
130
12.
FF
Rambirpora
Anatnag
90
-
90
13.
Fodder
station Zakura
Srinagar
25
-
25
14.
Fodder
station Lar
Ganderbal
25
-
25
15.
Fodder
Station Haknar
Ganderbal
-
28
28
16.
Fodder
Station Rankipora
Budgam
32.60
-
32.60
17.
FF
wanihama
Ganderbal
205
-
205
18.
FS
Ganeshpora/ Vailoo/ YKPora
Anantnag
40
40
Total
2464.60
920.00
3384.60
⁕
Staff associated with Agriculture Section: - The
Agriculture staff associated with different
agricultural/fodder development activities mainly comprise
of Deputy Director Feed & Fodder, Agriculture Field
Assistants, Agriculture Supervisors, Rakh overseer, Field
men etc.
⁕ Tractorization/Tilling of the
land is done exclusively by three departmental tractors.
⁕Hay Production for the year 2020-21:-
Total hay production for the year 2020-21 is 4681.73
quintals.
Achievements of Department
Major Achievements
Around 85%
of sheep are of improved variety (Cross Breeds)
which produces finer wool and are fast growing.
Ours is
the finest wool producing region in the country.
35% of
Mutton demand is met locally.
Contribution to Economy
2020-21
Item
Quantity
Value
Approx. Cost
Mutton
114
(Lac kgs)
Rs. 600 Crore
Rs.
535 per kg
Wool
33
(Lac kgs)
Rs. 16 Crore
Rs.
50 per kg
Total: Rs. 616 Crore
Demand and Supply
(2020-21)
Product
Local
Demand
Local
Produce
Imports
Mutton
310
lac kgs
114 lac kgs
196 lac kgs
Wool
Nil
33
lac kgs
Nil
Hides
Nil
8.5
lacs
Nil
Current Scenario
Huge local demand for
mutton and wide gap between demand and supply
↓
Focus is on increasing the mutton production and sustaining the
gains (fineness etc) already achieved in wool.
↓
Emphasis on growth and weight gain characteristics for obtaining
a progeny with traits of more and quick growth.
Accelerated Breed
Improvement
In order to boost the
ongoing breed improvement programme and to negate the ill
effects of inbreeding, which have crept-in for last several, the
department has just imported 420 sheep of Merino breed from
Australlia. These shall be bred in departmental farms and their
progeny supplied to field for dessemination of high quality
germplasm with ultimate aim of significantly increasing the
mutton and wool production.
New Technological
Interventions
Introduction of Assisted
reproductive techniques in Sheep & Goats.
Introduction of Embryo
Transfer /A
Artificial Insemination techniques to enhance
reproductive rates and productivity is in pipeline.
Sufficient trained
manpower has been developed in such techniques.
Civil works for ETT and
AI laboratory have been completed. Only pendency is
strengthening of laboratory in terms of equipments.
The techniques are
expected to be introduced shortly.
Promoting Multiplicity
Project for increasing
twin/triplet births through introgression of Fec-B gene, has
been underway at Sheep Farm Goabal for last several years.
Department is now propagating
Fec B gene in field, through supply of Fec B Rams, for better
returns to farmers in terms of twin/triplet births.
Infrastructural Strengthening
For ensuring better delivery
of services to farmers and timely health care to livestock, the
department constructed 42 structures like centres, dispensaries,
hospitals & laboratories during last ten years. Additional 9
such structures are under construction.
PROPOSED TARGETS OVER THE
NEXT 7 YEARS
Increase mutton
production by about 60 percent from present 114 lac kgs to
175 lac kgs.
Increase wool
production by about 40 percent from present 33 lac kgs to 50 lac kgs.
Creation of about
thousands of jobs through sheep farming via establishment of
units in private sector.
Citizen Charter
C I T I Z E N S C H A R T
E R
SERVICES
OFFERED BY THE SHEEP HUSBANDRY DEPARTMENT KASHMIR
NAME OF THE SERVICES RENDERED/FACILITIES PROVIDED
NAME OF THE INSTITUTION/CENTRE OF THE DEPT. PROVIDING THE SERVICE
A) UP GRADATION OF FLOCKS THROUGH CROSS BREEDING PROGRAMMES TO INCREASE MUTTON AND WOOL PRODUCTION.
I. BY INTRODUCING GENETICALLY
SUPERIOR RAMS IN THE FLOCKS
II. CASTRATION OF SCRUB RAMS IN THE
PRIVATE FLOCKS
ELITE RAMS PRODUCED AT DEPARTMENTAL SHEEP BREEDING FARMS AND ALSO PROCURED
FROM LOCAL GENE POOL.
THE SERVICES CATERED THROUGH 449 SHEEP EXTENSION CENTERS AND 53 FIRST AID
CENTERS SPREAD IN KASHMIR PROVINCE UNDER THE CONTROL OF DISTRICT SHEEP
HUSBANDRY OFFICERS.
B) VETERINARY HEALTH CARE
i. TREATMENT OF CLINICAL CASES
ii. ANTHELMINTHIC DOSING AND
VACCINATION AGAINST IMPORTANT
DISEASES LIKE CLOSTRIDIAL DISEASES,
SHEEP POX, FMD, PPR ETC.
MEDICATED BATHS TO CURTAIL
ECONOMIC LOSSES TO FARMERS ON ACCOUNT OF
DEATH AND DISEASES
i. THROUGH DOOR STEP SERVICES BY SHEEP
EXTENSION CENTERS AND FIRST AID
CENTERS UNDER THE CONTROL OF
DISTRICT SHEEP HUSBANDRY OFFICERS.
ii. AMBULATORY SERVICES
iii. MOBILE CAMPS
iv. FIRST AID CAMPS ESTABLISHED AT
HIGHLAND PASTURES DURING SUMMER
MONTHS
C) DISEASE INVESTIGATION ,DIAGNOSIS SURVEILLANCE AND GUIDANCE FOR
TREATMENT AND CONTROL
1) CENTRAL DISEASE INVESTIGATION LABORATORY AT NOWSHERA SRINAGAR.
2) DISTRICT LABORATORIES AT DISTRICT HEAD QUARTERS.
D) MACHINE SHEARING OF PRIVATE LIVESTOCK FOR VALUE ADDITION OF WOOL
1) DISTRICT SHEEP HUSBANDRY OFFICES
2) DIRECTORATE OF SHEEP HUSBANDRY KASHMIR.
E ) PROCUREMENT OF WOOL DIRECTLY FROM FARMERS TO AVOID EXPLOITATION BY
MIDDLE MEN
BY SHEEP EXTENSION CENTERS (PROCURED BY SHEEP AND SHEEP PRODUCTS DEV. BOARD)
F) WOOL AND PASHMINA TESTING FOR QUALITY ANALYSIS
FLEECE TESTING LABORATORY AT NOWSHERA SRINAGAR
G) ESTABLISHMENT OF INCOME GENERATING UNITS THROUGH STATE AND
CENTRAL SCHEMES LIKE MINISHEEP FARM SCHEME (50 ewes),
RKVY, (25 ewes participatory mode)
IDSRR, (500 ewes) ETC.
DISTRICT SHEEP HUSBANDRY OFFICES THROUGH DESIGNATED COMMITTEES.
H) HONORARIUM AND INCENTIVE TO CHOPANS FOR THEIR COOPERATION IN
IMPLEMENTING DEPARTMENTAL PROGRAMMES
DISTRICT SHEEP HUSBANDRY OFFICES
I) RABBIT PRODUCTION AND SALE ON CERTAIN SEASONS
ANGORA RABBIT FARM WUSSAN PATTAN
DISTRICT BARAMULLA
J) EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
SENSITIZATION OF FARMERS REGARDING
SCIENTIFIC FLOCK MANAGEMENT
1) DISTRICT SHEEP HUSBANDRY OFFICES BY
I AWARENESS CAMPS
II TOURS AND FARM DARSHAN PROGRAMMES
2) EXTENSION AND PUBLICITY WING OF DIRECTORATE OF SHEEP HUSBANDRY THROUGH
PRINT AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA
K) FODDER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES
BY PROVIDING SEED KITS AND OTHER INPUTS
FODDER DEV. WING OF DIRECTORATE OF SHEEP HUSBANDRY DEPARTMENT KASHMIR
Sheep Husbandry Department came into existence in the
year 1962 with the main objective of promoting sheep and
goat development in the state having sufficient scope
and potential owing to bountiful pastures and meadow
lands presenting nutrient grasses and herbage for the
pastoral activities. The department so established was
headed by a Director with a Deputy Director for each
Jammu and Kashmir divisions. In early seventies a major
expansion took place with the creation of joint
Directors, Deputy and Assistant Director level officers.
In the year 1982, the Department of Sheep Husbandry was bifurcated
into two parts and accordingly two separate Departments of Sheep
Husbandry one for Kashmir and another for Jammu came into existence.
As a result of this bifurcation, the sheep husbandry sector got
sharp focus at provincial level. The Department of Sheep Husbandry
Kashmir, having its area of operation in Kashmir Division comprising
of ten districts of Kashmir Valley and two districts of Ladakh,
witnessed vast organisational expansion both vertically and
horizontally.
At present, the Department has a staff organisation consisting of
various subject matter specialists and two major line organisations
one looking after the farms and the other field extension
activities. Each organisation is headed by a Joint Director. In the
area of farm management, the Joint Director (Farms) is assisted by
senior level officers to run the nine farms established so far in
Kashmir Division. Similarly, to implement and monitor various field
programmes/activities, the Joint Director (Extension) is assisted by
ten District Organisations each headed by a District Sheep Husbandry
Officer and 10 Sheep and Wool Development Organisations
Sheep Breeds
Sheep Breeds of Jammu and Kashmir
Favourable agro-climatic conditions and
other natural endowments including rich alpine pastures made the sheep and goat
rearing as the core activity of rural masses of the Jammu and Kashmir State from
the times immemorial to play a vital role in the socio-economic up-liftment of
the most weaker sections of the society viz Chopans, Gujjars , Gaddies, and
Bakerwals. However, at that time, the economic returns from sheep and goat
rearing were non-significant due to low productivity of the available genetic
material.
As the developmental activities related to
sheep and goat were carried out in the State under the auspices of Animal
Husbandry Department, no concrete sheep developmental programme could be under
taken except some cross-breeding experiments/trials till 1962, when Sheep
Breeding and Developmental Department was carved out of Animal Husbandry
Department for look after of sheep husbandry Sector. The newly formed Department
of Sheep Husbandry right from its inception laid maximum emphasis on
cross-breeding programme which resulted in substantial progress in production of
wool and mutton. With a view to improve quantity and quality of the traits of
the indigenous sheep of the State up to desired level, it is essential to have
knowledge of the indigenous material i.e. types or strains of sheep found in the
State. Initially no survey of sheep in this regard has been made in the State.
However, efforts made by some researchers are appreciable in this respect.
Some types of breeds found in Jammu
and Kashmir State are given below which is expected to serve useful purpose for
those research workers and technocrats who are interested to know about the
types of sheep present in the State.
GUREZI
Photo Credit -
Dr. Mubashir Ali Rathar
Habitat
Gurez
Tehsil of Kashmir.
Characteristics
The Gurezi
Sheep is the biggest among the Kashmir breeds.
Animals are coarse woolen dairy animals, usually
white and polled. The majority of sheep are
hornless. However, recently some animals even
with more than two horns (Poly-ceros condition)
were observed. These sheep have short ears and
wool in predominantly white. However, a number
of coloured sheep are also maintained for
getting wools of natural shades of grey, black
and brown. The animals graze rich grasses at
8000 ft in summer but are stall fed in winter .
Wool
Yield
1.250 -
1.500 kilograms per annum.
Wool
Quality
Medium
fine about 6 inches long and lacking kemps.
GADDI
Habitat
Kistwar
and Baderwah Tehsils of Jammu and Kulu, Chamba
and Kangra Valleys of Himachal Pradesh.
Characteristics
Gaddies are
hill tribes who are traditional sheep breeders
raising this breed. These sheep are small in
size but have sturdy legs with short tails and
ears. They live on scrub forest during winter
and in summer they migrate to Paddar and other
neighbouring ranges. The fleece is generally
white with brown coloured hair on the face. The
rams are horned and ewes hornless.
Wool
Yield
0.817
kg per annum.
Wool
Quality
Medium
fine with average fiber dia-meter 34.90 micron
(u) and staple length 10.10 centimetres. The
wool in good sheep is lustrous and under coat is
used for manufacture of kulu shawls and
blankets.
KASHMIR VALLEY
Habitat
Kashmir
Valley at an attitude of 5000-6000 ft
Characteristics
Animals are
smaller in size with predominantly coloured
fleece yielding an admixture of medium fine and
coarse wool. These animals have short tails with
males having small horns.
Wool
Yield
0.860 + 0.010 kg per annum
Wool
Quality
Admixture of coarse and medium fine with fibre
diameter and staple length varying from 28 to 34
u (micron) and 8 to 10 centimetres respectively.
KARNAHI
Photo Credit -
Dr. Altaf Peerzada
Habitat
Karnah
Tehsil at an attitude of 1200-4600 meters.
Characteristics
The animals
are robust, having long face and a prominent
nose. Rams have big curved horns. The fleece is
relatively fine though shorter than that of
Guresi, breed of sheep.
Wool
Yield
1.000 -
1.250 kg per annum.
Wool
Quality
Medium
fine wool having average fiber diameter of 29.70
u (micron) and staple length of 9.36
centimetres.
BAKERWALI
Photo Credit -
Dr. Mubashir Ali Rathar
Habitat
Migratory
sheep reared by the nomadic tribe called
Bakerwals. Their movements include high ranges
of Pirpanchal mountains, Kashmir Valley and
other low lying hills of Jammu and Kashmir.
Being migratory these sheep live in open
through out the year.
Characteristics
These sheep
are hardly and sturdy and are excellent climbers
in-spite of its big bulk. The males are
generally horned and ewes hornless. Some flocks
are fat tailed. Ears are generally long, broad
and dropping. These sheep grow coloured coarse
wool, which is used locally for manufacture of
coarse lohis (Small blankets).
Wool
Yield
1.600
kg per annum.
Wool
Quality
Coarse
wool of 6 inches long and 1/679 inch in
diameter.
POONCHI
Photo Credit -
Dr. Mubashir Ali Rathar
Habitat
Poonch
and surrounding places situated at a high
elevation in the State.
Characteristics
Animals are
long sized, mostly hornless with short tail but
thick at the base. Ears are generally short and
colour is predominantly white. These sheep are
best for wool production and are raised on rich
summer pastures and are stall fed during winter
on stored grasses and fodders.
Wool
Yield
1.6 kg
per annum..
Wool
Quality
Medium
fine with average fiber diameter 32 u (micron)
DIL, Nowshera of SHD Kashmir is the
leading laboratory amongst four divisional labs of departments of Animal/Sheep
Husbandry Jammu & Kashmir in terms of:
Launching highly effective programme
of control of Sheep Pox after getting conducted successful trials of Killed
Sheep Pox vaccine.
Orchestrating the most successful
cross breeding programme in India in sheep by way of development of Kashmir
Merino breed through strategic disease control program and monitoring
production parameters.
Starting PCR for molecular diagnosis
of diseases.
Marker assisted selection studies in
breeding programmes including Fec B genotyping contributing to doubling
production.
Initiating work on Cell culture mode
of vaccine production.
Initiating work on Embryo Transfer
Technology and A.I. in sheep and goat.
Conducting Drug trials.
Analyzer based analysis of feed and
fodder and pathological investigations.
Studying indigenous sheep breed Gurezi
and extensively study cross breed Kashmir Merino.
Printing research journal, Disease
Bulletin and Breeder’s Manual besides several papers in national or
international journals/abstracts for national level conferences.
Conducting several studies on
ethno-veterinary medicine, cross breeding programmes, Brucellosis, presence
of E coli toxins in locally slaughtered sheep, trials on commonly used
dosings, review of ethics of industrial farming etc. Research work continued
in DIL on Gene sequences of two different genes of Orf virus strains
prevalent in Sheep and Goat of Kashmir Valley submitted to NCBI GenBank have
helped put DIL staff on international map.
Its other distinctions
include:
The first in India to identify
Clostridium septicum from field outbreaks (Nucleotide sequence GENBANK
Accession No. KtY440186) and report Eperythozoon.
Standardizing protocols (PCR based)
for confirmation of diseases such as Enterotoxaemias (C. perfringens A, B,
C, D & E), Braxy (C. septicum). Brucellosis (Brucella abortus and Brucella
melitensis) and is currently providing PCR based diagnosis of almost all
economically important diseases including PPR, Sheep Pox, Goat Pox, Orf, FMD,
CCPP sparing the need for approaching other labs for diagnosis in most
cases.
Achieving exemplary control of
menacing Sheep Pox and Fasciolosis and lately PPR. No outbreak of any
disease has been allowed to flare up beyond control in last few decades. The
laboratory has played a pivotal role in facilitating timely diagnosis and
control of Brucellosis in farms and tackle outbreaks in field.
Publishing Teur, Teur Chu Son Seur and
pamphlets on major diseases like Brucellosis.
Launching massive regular weekly
outreach/awareness cum training programme with field extension agencies
field.
Working on several projects on disease prevalence and monitoring, using
local resources without any significant financial implications.
Collaborating with other institutions
for various studies including with FVSc & AH for diagnosis of Campylobacter
fetus ssp. fetus, studies on poisonous plants in Kashmir valley,
The
susceptibility to the diseases is always higher in exotic or improved breeds
than the native or local ones, and ever since the exotic blood was introduced in
the sheep flocks of J&K, prevalence of the diseases also increased. The
department of sheep husbandry responded well and a very good mechanism of flock
health care with more emphasis on preventive medication and disease control was
set in position. The department has been laying more stress on control of
parasitic diseases and more than half of the budget allotted for drugs and
therapeutic agents is utilized on anthelminthic drenching and rightly so as
these infestations not only sometimes cause heavy mortality among the flocks but
also cause great economic losses due to reduction in production.
Srinagar district though more than eighty percent urbanised has a substantial
and good quality crossbred sheep population reared in around 110 peripheral
villages or suburbs. Topographically, the district can be divided grossly into
three sheep rearing zones.
Hilly areas in east and south east of Srinagar like Dara, Faqirgujree, Brane,
Nishat, Khimber, Khanmoh, Zewan and Zawoora etc
Plain and marshy areas in the west
and north west like Mujgund, Panzinara, Malroo, Laweypora, Palpora and
Sangam etc.
Plain and orchard areas of central
Srinagar like Zakura, Gulabbagh, Batpora Saedpora, Telbal, Noubugh and
Umerhair etc.
In the marshy lands of west and northwest of the city, with about sixteen
thousand sheep population, some big flocks of sheep are reared and during spring
and autumn maintained by grazing on the banks of the river Jehlum. Acute
Fascioliasis associated with Black Disease has been affecting and causing deaths
in these flocks for many years.
TABLE SHOWING VILLAGE WISE MORTALITY DUE
TO ACUTE FASIOLIASIS
YEAR 2009
Name of the
village
Total sheep
population
No. of
deaths recorded
Percentage
mortality
Palpora
1650
18
1.0
Goripora
1200
25
2.0
Cochun
500
5
1.0
Bakshipora
350
3
0.85
Mujgund
700
8
1.1
Panzinara
600
7
1.1
Total
5000
66
1.32
YEAR 2010
Name of the
village
Total sheep
population
No. of
deaths recorded
Percentage
mortality
Guzarbal
400
8
2.0
Shunglipora
1800
30
1.6
Palpora
1800
7
0.3
Goripora
1700
34
2.0
Chochun
575
18
3.1
Bakshipora
420
4
0.9
Sangam, Bajiwudri
1750
21
1.2
Malroo
850
8
0.9
Total
9295
130
1.3
YEAR 2011
Name of the
village
Total sheep
population
No. of
deaths recorded
Percentage
mortality
Chochun
530
2
0.3
Sangam
730
8
1.0
Bajiwudri
1000
2
0.2
Total
2250
12
0.5
Acute fascioliasis is
caused by Fasciola hepatica which has liver as its site of predilection. The
intermediate stage involves snails. The two primary requirements for
establishment of the liverflukes are snails and an environment that suits fluke
eggs, the snails and the larval flukes such as slow moving streams with marshy
banks, irrigation channels and seepages. The affected areas in Srinagar present
optimal conditions and in the months of late autumn, November and December,
mortality was recorded during the years in question. Deaths in almost all the
cases were peracute. Post mortem examination conducted in most of the cases by
experts of Disease Investigation Laboratory revealed liver damage caused by
migrating young flukes and severe haemorrhage with blood in abdomen. The
condition was associated in almost in all cases with Black disease as the damage
by young flukes provides suitable environment for germination of spores of
Clostridium novyi type B.
Liver of ram showing acute
fascioliasis and juandice
Liver of an ewe showing damage
due to acute fascioliasis
Liver damage due to Black
Disease associated with
Control measures adopted:
The department being sensitive to the losses that
occurred during the previous year's took appropriate
measures during 2011 and the flocks in the risk areas
were given strategic drenching of oxyclozanide and
closantal during the months of September and October and
then Triclabandazole @ 10mg/kg body wt. every three
weeks during November and December in the high risk
villages where deaths due to the disease had previously
occurred. Flocks in the area were also given MCC
vaccine. Farmers were also sensitised and advised to
improve the plan of nutrition during winter months and
both morbidity and mortality drastically reduced during
the season.
ASSESSMENT OF GROWTH
IN PURCHASED RAMS OF DISTRICT SRINAGAR
Dr. Andleeb Rafiq
Technical Officer
District Sheep
Husbandry Office, Srinagar
District Srinagar, which is
spread over an area of 293 sq. kms is about 80% urbanized with
very little agriculture and allied activities. Out of a total of
136 villages in the peripheries, sheep rearing is practiced in
about 110 villages with farmers having average holding of 30-40
sheep. Sheep have multi-faceted utility including meat, wool,
skin, manure, and to some extent milk & transport and thus helps
it to play an important role in the agrarian economy. District
Srinagar has an important history as the cross breeding
programme in the state has started from the Zakura area of
Srinagar and this area has always been rich in sheep farming and
some prominent sheep farmers have been from this area. The cross
breed sheep population in the district is almost 100% percent
and the Departmental activities including further upgradation of
the flocks in terms of mutton and wool growth are continuing.
Since the flocks in Srinagar are quite superior in terms of
productivity than the rams from the Departmental farms, the
Department as its one of the most important programmes provides
the flocks with good quality rams for genetic improvement and up
gradation of the flocks. The Department has in absence of any
foreign importation of rams in the recent past and least likely
to be in near future, developed a policy of introducing "elite"
or the best amongst the best Rams obtained from the local gene
pool into the flocks. These elite rams with phenotypic
characteristics of quick growth without compromising on the wool
quality are identified, selected and purchased from local sheep
farmers on encouraging and good remunerative prices and kept
under local conditions with the flocks.
In District Srinagar, the purchase and use of such rams started
during December, 2009 when 12 rams were purchased upto March,
2010 under Centrally Sponsored scheme RKVY. Out of the 12 Rams,
8 were Milk tooth (age group of 11-14 months) and 4 Ram were two
teeth (age group of 18-21 months).
The body weight statistics of the Rams at the time of purchase
was:
Mean body weight of MT Rams =40.8 kgs
Maximum body weight =49 kgs
Minimum body weight =36 kgs
Mean body weight of 2T Rams =46.66 kgs
Maximum body weight =49 kgs
Minimum body weight =43 Kgs
During the month of November 2010, 26 more rams were purchased
under another Centrally Sponsored Scheme, SWIS and were put in
the field for breeding. 12 rams purchased were milk tooth (MT)
and rest 14 rams were two teeth (2T), age group of 18-22 months.
The body weight statistics of the Rams at the time of purchase:
Mean body weight of 12 MT Rams =36.8 kgs
Maximum body weight = 43 kgs
Minimum body weight = 33 kgs
Mean body weight of 14 2T Rams = 47.90 kgs
Maximum body weight = 64 kgs
Minimum body weight = 41 kgs
Furthermore, during the month of October 2011, 15 more rams were
purchased under RKVY and 5 rams under SWIS and again put in the
field for the purpose of breeding. 6 rams purchased were MT, 5
rams were 2T, and out of the remaining 4 rams, 2 were 4T and 1
ram was 6T.
The body weight statistics of the Rams at the time of purchase:
Mean body weight of 6 MT Rams =55.25 kgs
Maximum body weight =67 kgs
Minimum body weight =40 kgs
Mean body weight of 14 2T Rams =60 kgs
Maximum body weight =63 kgs
Minimum body weight =58 kgs
In September 2012, 9 rams were purchased again under RKVY; out
of which 1 ram was MT and rest 8 rams were 2T.
The body weight statistics of the Rams at the time of purchase:
Body weight of one MT Ram =50 kgs
Mean body weight of 8 2T Rams =51.75 kgs
Maximum body weight =57 kgs
Minimum body weight =50 kgs
All the purchased animals were kept with the local flocks in
field conditions doing unrestricted breeding, shifted to high
land pastures mostly in the Sonamarg sector during summer months
and adjusted with breeders during winter months of 2009-10,
2010-11 and 2011-12. The farmers during winter months feed the
livestock with fodder mostly straws and hay, tree toppings and
concentrates mostly wheat bran and rice bran in very little
quantities.
The body weight (in kgs) of all these rams was recorded in the
following intervals for the assessment of growth and the
statistics as under:
OBSERVATIONS ON GROWTH OF RAMS FOR A PERIOD
36 MONTHS
S. No
Age group at the time of purchase
Mean B Wt. at the time of purchase
Max. B wt.
Min. B wt.
Mean B wt. after 3 years
Max. B wt.
Min. B wt.
GAIN
1
MT
40.8
49
36
49
55
44
+8.2 kgs
2
2T
46.66
49
43
48
50
47
+1.34 kgs
OBSERVATIONS ON GROWTH OF RAMS FOR A
PERIOD 24 MONTHS
S. No
Age group at the time of purchase
Mean B Wt. at the time of purchase
Max. B wt.
Min. B wt.
Mean B wt. after 3 years
Max. B wt.
Min. B wt.
GAIN
1
MT
38.13
49
33
45.20
51
42
+7.07 kgs
2
2T
47.64
64
41
49.92
70
43
+2.28 kgs
OBSERVATIONS OF GROWTH OF RAMS FOR A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS
S. No
Age group at the time of purchase
Mean B Wt. at the time of purchase
Max. B wt.
Min. B wt.
Mean B wt. after 3 years
Max. B wt.
Min. B wt.
GAIN
1
MT
41.73
67
33
42.9
53
35
+1.17 kgs
2
2T
49.82
64
41
48.47
55
44
-1.35 kgs
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
The data reveals that the overall
body weight has shown an increasing trend in both the
categories of rams i.e. rams purchased as milk tooth as
well as those purchased as two teeth. The body weight
recording in Milk tooth rams for a period of 36 months
has shown an overall gain of +8.2 kgs and with
substantial increase of 6 kgs in maximum body weight and
a 8 kgs gain in the minimum body weight. Similarly,
recordings of 23-24 months period have shown an overall
gain of +7.07 kgs in the body weight in Milk tooth rams
with maximum body weight showing a gain of 2 kgs and the
minimum body weight showing an increase of 6 kgs,
indicating a satisfactory growth pattern of these rams.
In case of 11-12 months recording of body weight, there
was a growth of 1.17 kgs in Milk tooth rams with a
negative gain in the maximum body weight and an increase
of 2 kgs in the minimum body weight.
In case of 2T rams, over the period
of 36 months, there has been a growth of 1.34 kgs with
maximum body weight showing an increase of 1 kg and
minimum body weight showing an increase of 4 kgs in
weight. In a period of 23-24 months, a growth of 2.28
kgs was recorded with a gain of 6 kgs in maximum body
weight and a gain of 2 kgs in the minimum body weight.
However, in 11-12 month period, there was a negative
growth of 1.35 kgs with a decrease of 9 kgs in the
maximum body weight and an increase of 3 kgs in the
minimum body weight. The decreases could possibly be
attributed to breeding stress as these mature rams were
continuously in the flocks during breeding season.
PERIOD
MILK TOOTH
TWO TEETH
Gain in avg. b. wt.
Gain in avg. b. wt.
36 Months
+ 8.2 kgs
+1.34 kgs
24 Months
+ 7.07 kgs
+2.28 kgs
12 Months
+ 1.17 kgs
-1.35 kgs
Further, the raw data also revealed that the mortality
was more in two teeth rams as compared to the milk tooth
rams.
CONCLUSION:
It appears from the study that the animals purchased as
MT have grown better during 1st, 2nd and the 3rd year of
their purchase as compared to those purchased as 2T
during these years. It also appears from the study that
animals purchased with less body weight have shown more
increase in body weight during the 1st, 2nd and the
3rd year of their purchase probably due to reason that
heavier rams might have undergone stress due to more
breeding.
Lambs vaccinated at two months of age with a booster dose 21 days to
1 month later. These born to unvaccinated ewes should be vaccinated
with 1st dose 1-2 weeks and as booster dose later from 21 days to 1
month
Pregnant ewes 1.5 month before lambing and a booster 1 month before
lambing (i.e. 15-21 days gap between the two annually)
December-January for pregnant animals and March-April for dry flock
and male livestock. Repeated in September/October for the latter.
1 ml or
2 ml S/C
Regular vaccination along with booster dose is necessary. Animals
vaccinated in first time in April/May with a booster dose 21 days
later
2
Sheep Pox
At the age of 3 month & above.
Annually in case of live & biannually in case of killed vaccine.
March or April.
1 ml I/M
5ml s/c
Regular vaccination is necessary
3
Goat Pox
At the age of 3 month & above
Annually
March or April
1 ml S/C
Regular vaccination is necessary
4
FMD
3 &
1/2
month and above
Twice in a year
March & September
1 ml S/C or
1 ml I/M
Regular vaccination is necessary
5
PPR
4 month 7 above
Every 3 years interval
April
1 ml/ S/C
Regular vaccination is necessary
Dosing Schedule
When to suspect parasitic
Infestation:
Stunted growth.
Prolonged diarrhoea.
White or pale mucous
membrane of eyes.
Get faecal examination
done before going for dosing.
IN ENDEMIC AREAS, MARSHY WATER-LOGGED LANDS OR WHERE
ANIMALS ARE FED PADDY STRAW, THREE DOSING WITH BROAD SPECTRUM ANTHELMINTICS ON
THE FOLLOWING DATES ARE SUFFICIENT PROPHYLAXIS AGAINST HELMINTHES:
15 FEBRUARY TO 15
MARCH
15 JUNE TO 15 JULY
15 OCTOBER TO 15
NOVEMBER
NEED BASED DOSING AFTER PROPER TESTING AND ASSESSING
PARASITIC LOAD MAY ALSO BE DONE AT ANY TIME.
Dos
and Don'ts *Don't overdose or under-dose.
*Pregnant animals can be dosed with pregnancy safe anthelmintics like
Closental whenever required. However avoiding of any medication during pregnancy
is desirable. *Don't use Albendazole and Mebendazole –in 1st trimester of pregnancy.
*Frequently change the drug for dosing to avoid development of resistance.
*Chop the paddy straw 2 inches at the base and then feed the animals to
prevent Fascioliasis. *Coccidiostats should be given to lambs and kids whenever required.
*More concentration of animals in a grazing area warrants greater attention on
parasitic diseases. It also calls for one dosing in high land pastures after
some time of migration as worm load accumulates. *Give appropriate dose of medicine as per recommendation of qualified
veterinarian.
Livestock Statistics
of Kashmir Division
POPULATION
Year
Sheep
Goat
1950
2.33 Lac
0.65 Lac
1990
11.65 Lac
1.93 Lac
2019
17.684 Lac
3.83 Lac
PRODUCTION
Year
Mutton
(in Lac kgs)
Wool
(in Lac kgs)
1950
7.4
0.89
1990
53.99
15.98
2019
112.1
32.75
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I want to start
a Sheep Farm, How is Sheep Husbandry
department helpful in this manner.
A: Technical guidance is being provided
at every step, be it the purchase of
Livestock, construction of shelters,
also Logistic support is being provided
like in terms of medication, free of
cost breeding cover in terms of High
Quality Breeding Rams being provided .
Q: Which breed is
better for gaining more profit in less
time?
A: Selection of breed depends upon the
area where the sheep farm is to be
established, keeping in view the climate
and topography of Kashmir division,
Kashmir Merino is the considering the
best suitable breed. In case of
Hortipastoral system like if you have
enough orchard land you can have
Corriedale breed as it is the best breed
as they are polled and have short
stature, these two characters make this
breed best suitable for grazing in
orchards.
Q: How much land
is required to start 25 Ewes Sheep Unit?
A: 8 sq.ft. Per animal, it is the
accurate space required per animal, so
for 25 Ewes, you may need 200 sq.ft.
Shed. In addition to this if you have
more land,i t is more advantageous as
far as feeding or grazing area is
concerned.
Q: How is your
department helpful in providing Logistic
support or medical support?
A: Our employees will assist you in
choosing the best breed by taking in
view the genotypic and phenotypic
characters, selection of hybrid breed,
wool qualities, length of legs, scrotal
girth, our technical experts can say
which breed is best for your start up
and will help you in choosing those
breeds. We also give you medicines on
subsidized rates and all the services
are being provided at your door step ,
free of cost breeding cover is being
provided by the department by providing
you a Hybrid Ram of Superior Quality.
Q: Is there any
insurance scheme which will be helpful
in case of any calamity.
A: It is mandatory to cover your
Livestock with insurance as far as
government schemes are concerned, but
the insurance has to borne by breeder,
as department is not providing any
insurance policy.
Q: How many times
an animal is to be sheared in a year.
A: Two times in a year, pre migration
and post migration from Highland
Pastures.
Q: Is it necessary
to send the livestock to Highland
Pastures during summer.
A: Yes, it is important to send your
livestock to Highland Pastures, the
sheep is an animal which is Heat Stress
Prone, so it is very difficult for such
an animal to remain in plains during
high temperature. It gets its favourable
temperature only in Highland Pastures.
Also there is enough availability of
Nutrition's grasses on Highland
Pastures. There are also some grasses
which are Anti Parasitic and thus help
the livestock to remain free from some
parasitcl diseases. Another most benefit
of Highland Pastures is that you don't
need to put any expenses on feeding of
animals at Highland Pastures.
Q: What are the
different Schemes providing by your
department?
A: There are various schemes currently
our department is providing,
Click Here to scheme details.
Q: Is there any
particular vaccination/dosing schedule to be
maintained for the livestock.
A: Yes, you have to follow the
vaccination/dosing schedule provided by
our department.
For Vaccination schedule
Click Here
For Dosing schedule
Click Here
Q: What are the
various nutrition requirements during winter
for the livestock?
A: Winter is an hurdle for sheep rearing
in Kashmir Division, so stall feeding is
the only option during winters,
concentrates are also given which can be
brought from the market.
i. Concentrate feed @ 500gm/adult
animal/day and hay @1.5 kg/animal/day.
ii. Chopped vegetables like carrots,
turnips @ 0.5kg /Pregnant Ewe/Doe/day.
iii. Molasses @ 30-60 gms /day/pregnant
Ewe/Doe to prevent pregnancy toxaemia.
iv. Creep ration (crushed maize 40%,
wheat bran 20%, oats 15%, ground nut
cake 21%, mineral mixture 1.5%, salt 1%,
molasses 1.5%) @ 50-100 gms
/lamb/kid/day.
v. Legumes should be mixed with bhusa to
prevent bloat.
vi. Ensure clean, fresh and lukewarm
water in adequate quantities to prevent
colic and impaction.
vii. Strictly avoid early morning
grazing on frosty herbs and snow covered
grasses which otherwise cause's huge
losses by way of diseases like Braxy/Bradsot.
viii. Additional feed increments to
pregnant / lactating animals to prevent
metabolic disorders.
Q: What are the
various requirements for makings
suitable shelter in winter for the
livestock?
A: i. The shed should be warm (about
20°C) but properly ventilated to avoid
accumulation of ammonia gas which
predisposes to respiratory animals.
ii. The floor of the shed should be
clean and dry to prevent foot rot,
coccidiosis and other diseases.
iii. Suitable bedding like dry leaves,
rags, bhusa, saw dust etc to a thickness
of 4-6 inches should be used to prevent
from cold.
iv. Adequate space for animals to
prevent overcrowding.
Q: Is there any
extra care to be taken for pregnant ewes
and new born babies.
A: yes extra care is to be provided,
Pregnant animals can be dosed with
pregnancy safe anthelmintics like
Closental whenever required. However
avoiding of any medication during
pregnancy is desirable.
Don't use Albendazole and Mebendazole -
in 1st trimester of pregnancy.
Molasses @ 30-60 gms /day/pregnant
Ewe/Doe to prevent pregnancy toxaemia
Use of Anti coccidial drugs to prevent
coccidial disease in new born
lambs/kids.
Coccidiostats should be given to lambs
and kids whenever required.
Q: What are the
various methods to keep the unshorn wool
clean? A: Avoid over crowding, timely
dipping, shed must be clean hygienic,
you can also use some specific shampoos
which can be brought from the market.
Q: How can an animal
be protected from various Ectoparasitic and
endoparastic diseases?
A: For ectopararities you can have,
Timely dipping, Ivermectin injection, timely
shearing.
For endoparasites you can use clean pasture
concept which means deworming and dosing
before migration to highland pastures also
keeping the sheds clean and doing timely
dosing, deworming and vaccination after the
downward migration of livestock from
highland pastures.
