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NDDB & GCMMF sign MoU to help improve genetics of milk producing animals
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Wednesday, 19 May, 2021, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi
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The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) have signed an MoU to implement genomic selection of cattle. The project will be primarily implemented in Gujarat and aims at improving the genetics of the milk producing animals.
The MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed by Meenesh Shah, ED, NDDB, and RS Sodhi, MD, GCMMF, virtually on May 18, in Anand, Gujarat.
Under the project, around 1.9 lakh animals will be recorded in next five years for their milk production capacity, fat, SNF & protein content of milk, reproduction regularity of animals, disease incidence, animal’s body type, animal’s behaviour and so on.
Out of the recorded animals more than 80,000 animals will be genotyped and related data will help in Genomic Breeding Value estimation with more accuracy.
This programme will include important breeds like Gir, Kankrej, and crossbred cows and Mehsana, Jaffarabadi, Murrah buffaloes. Also, all the bulls that enter Gujarat’s semen stations will be genomically selected ensuring genetic merit.
According to an NDDB statement, Milk Unions of Gujarat have decided to collaborate on expanding reference population for genomic selection and extend benefits of improved genetics to the farmers of Gujarat and the NDDB, GCMMF and Milk Unions will work together to develop SOPs for recording, take up data analysis and monitor the quality of data collected.
The project was aimed at fast tracking the genetic process of the cattle for their milk production potential along with regular reproduction, reduced disease incidences and improved appearance. Apart from semen stations, farmers will also be able to use genomics for selection of heifers.
NDDB has been working towards implementation of genomic selection since 2014. It has developed custom genotyping chips INDUSCHIP and BUFFCHIP for genotyping cattle and buffaloes respectively.
According to the NDDB, more than 20,000 animals have been genotyped using these chips. Using both genotype data and performance records, genomic breeding values (an estimate that shows genetic potential of an animal) are estimated. Bulls of Gir, HFCB, JCB and Murrah breeds are genomically selected before distribution (to semen stations).
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