Hallikar Bull Worth One Crore- Focus of Attraction in the Bangalore Agriculture
The purpose of this blog is not to intimidate enterprising breeders but to encourage them to follow the laws of the land and prevent damage to our livestock, even if unknowingly, by not allowing the spreading of harmful diseases and genes.
It is always heartening to know that there is so much interest in the general public and the farmers about our indigenous breeds. Occasionally we also read stories about ‘CHAMPION’ bulls, out in the market, glorified by the owner about its worth running never less than cores. The stories about its weight, looks, dancing ability, feeding habits (liking drinking milk, ghee, apples, grapes, cashew nuts, and almonds), all create a perception that the bull is different and hence of so expensive worth. The selection of a bull for purpose of use in a breeding program is a serious exercise in any country. A bull is either selected for dairy purposes wherein it is expected that the bull carries superior and milk-producing genes transferable to the next generation. This is how genetic improvement takes place. A bull can also be selected for beef purposes, but since beef in our country is illegal, I will not elaborate on this part. The third category would be apparent, that is, the ‘HANDSOMENESS’ of the bull. I am aware that there are elite farmers who would like to own handsome bulls and are ready to pay a price for it. If it helps the breeder farmer, no problem, everyone should be happy.
I wish to raise an important issue of the blindness of the government agency and the lack of their reaction to ensure public (farmers) interests. When exhibitions and fairs are organized and cattle judging takes place, it is only for appearance and not for critical dairy factors. When even considering the mother’s milk giving capacity a bull cannot be correctly selected for genetic improvement, how our judges can award a championship by only looking at the face and the testicles. The farmers’ claim that he is selling semen for Rs. 1000 per straw, is a serious issue and the state Department should have looked into the legality of such a claim. The problem is not how much he is charging, if the farmers are ready to pay, there is no objection. But the rule says that for semen collection and marketing of straw, the bull must undergo certain investigations, the laboratory where semen is being processed should be approved by the Central Committee of the Government of India and the bull must have been tested for venereal diseases and testing for harmful genes, the bull might carry. Even earlier, there were such bulls publicized from Punjab and Haryana and I had asked for information from the respective government departments. I am yet to receive any reply, which means, neither the bull was approved nor those breeders were having any permit.
This blog is to alert the gullible farmers to be aware of such harmful propaganda unless you wish to breed your cow to produce a ‘handsome’ bull. Do not fall for the claim on milk yield of the mother cow of this bull, unless a government agency has endorsed the milk yield, which should not be peak or highest yield but total yield in lactation and number of days in that lactation. Please do not use such bulls unless the breeder shows you the data on disease and genetic testing. For approving the bull for dairy purposes, either genomic or progeny testing results should be available.
Finally, a request to the Karnataka Livestock Development Agency. If this bull is so popular and the farmers are ready to pay for semen, please get the bull examined for venereal diseases and genetic diseases. The Government should also explore the possibility of franchising with this owner, a common practice in Brazil, the USA, and several developed countries, after following due quarantine and other protocols. This bull can be brought to the Government semen station intermittently for semen harvesting and processing by charging a suitable fee. Let the farmer market the semen straws, using his business and marketing skills. Such an approach will induce interest in our farmers to become top-class breeders. The role of the Government should be of a facilitator and hand-holder.
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Former Dean and Director of Instructions, MAFSU, Nagpur and
Ex-Associate Dean, Bombay Veterinary College