Research Project on Gaolao Cattle Breed- Dr. Deepak Kale
Project on Gaolao Cattle Breed
Dr. Deepak Kale, Assistant Professor & I/c Head, Department of Animal Genetics & Breeding, Nagpur Veterinary College, MAFSU, Nagpur is implementing (DOS: 17/09/2018) the SERB-DST, GOI funded Research Project under Core Research Grant scheme as Principal Investigator. The title of project is “Effect of Candidate Genes on Milk Production Traits in Gaolao Cattle” & the duration is of 3 years. The objectives of the project are the survey and identification of phenotypically high yielding and low yielding animals, Molecular Genotyping, SNP Screening of significant candidate genes involved in milk production and association of identified marker polymorphisms (if any) with milk production traits to reveal markers in Gaolao cattle breed for its future use in selection and breeding decisions.
Help from Gaolao Breeders
Genetic improvement in Gaolao cattle can be achieved with combined efforts of farmers/breeders/Breeder’s associations, University Scientists, State Animal Husbandry Departments, NGOs, self-help groups, and Volunteers by planning and executing breeding policy in the true spirit of genetic improvement of Gaolao cattle breed.
- The genuine Gaolao breeders rearing cattle should practice cattle selection and breeding on scientific lines.
- They should first ear tag identified animals for data recording which can be used for breeding value estimation. Ear tagging of each identified cow and male progeny should be practiced.
- They should keep records of pedigree, Morphometric traits, Performance/economic traits, breeding, nutrition, and health traits of each individual cow.
- The record-keeping formats generated should be filled in regularly for performance traits. The records of all the elite cows should be accessible to all the other Gaolao breeders which can be facilitated by the formation of breeder’s clubs/societies.
- Generated phenotypic databases in large populations with the aid of farmers coupled with genotyping in molecular genetics laboratory for each candidate gene & Statistical Computing will aid in the identification of markers in indigenous cattle.
- Identified markers with data after validation can be used in selection and breeding decisions for productivity improvement of indigenous Gaolao breed.