In India, small and marginal farmers, comprising 85% of the farming community, are pivotal to the rural economy. Addressing the rising demands amidst agricultural resource scarcity requires a holistic approach like Integrated Farming System (IFS). This method combines crop production, livestock, fishery, waste management, and poultry production synergistically. IFS boosts productivity, utilizes resources efficiently, and enhances food production, stabilizing income and ensuring nutritional security. A study in Karaikal district, Union Territory of Puducherry, which was an agricultural land and the entire farm revealed a benefit­cost ratio of 1.75, demonstrating IFS's potential in overcoming population growth and resource challenges.

Seventy two new born crossbred calves were selected and grouped in three dietary treatments-C, T1 and T2. Calves in the group T1 were fed ad libitum milk twice daily for one hour along with calf starter and green fodder. The T2 group were fed on the dietary protocol as T1 but was fed calf starter supplemented with essential oils. The dietary treatment of control group (C) was as per the Package of Practices Recommendations, KVASU. Blood samples were collected from the calves at the time of birth, second day and monthly intervals for up to three months for biochemical analysis. The plasma glucose concentrations of calves in dietary treatments C, T1 and T2 after one month were 5.69±0.166, 6.26±0.174 and 6.15±0.166 mM respectively. The glucose levels of calves in dietary treatments of C, T1 and T2 at three months were 4.22±0.062, 4.50±0.061 and 4.33±0.063, respectively and differed significantly (p<0.01) between C and T1. The serum concentration of Betahydroxy butyric acid (BHBA) for dietary treatments C, T1 and T2 increased with age and reached 0.418±0.025, 0.403±0.026 and 0.410±0.025 mM respectively and did not differ significantly between treatments. Significantly higher (P<0.05) serum cholesterol concentration of 2.82±0.090 and 2.86 ± 0.086 mM were recorded in calves in T1 and T2, respectively. Serum concentration of triglycerides, total protein and albumin were similar in all treatment groups. Lower BUN values of 8.96±0.64 and 8.89±0.64 mM were seen in T1 and T2, respectively while C group had serum BUN concentration of 10.33±0.63 mM. Increased levels of serum BHBA indicated rumen development where there is a shift in the precursor of energy from glucose to volatile fatty acids. Ad libitum colostrum feeding resulted in significantly higher (P<0.001) level of IgG from the second day improving the immune status of new-born calves.

The global dairy industry is estimated to be worth billions of dollars, with India being the leading producer of dairy products. Milk is a vital source of nutrition, providing energy, protein, and essential micronutrients. It has been linked to various health benefits, such as improved bone health and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes. However, the livestock industry also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. The carbon footprint of dairy products is measured by assessing the emissions of greenhouse gases throughout the production process. Methane emissions from enteric fermentation and manure management are the primary sources of emissions in the livestock sector. Strategies aimed at enhanced milk production, reducing animal mortality rates and enhancing reproductive performances can also help reduce emissions. To ensure long-term sustainability of the livestock production system, the Indian dairy cattle farming system must address key intervention areas such as feeding management, animal health and reproductive performance, and manure management to reduce its carbon footprint.

Climate change is altering ecological systems and poses a serious threat to human life. Climate change also seriously influences on livestock production by interfering with growth, reproduction, and production. Livestock, on the other hand, is blamed for being a significant contributor to climate change, emitting 8.1 gigatonnes of CO2-eq per year and accounting for two-thirds of global ammonia emissions. Methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) are three major greenhouse gases (GHG) that are primarily produced by enteric fermentation, feed production, diet management, and total product output. Ruminants account for three-quarters of total CO2-equivalent (CO2-eq) emissions from the livestock sector. The global dairy sector alone emits 4.0% of global anthropogenic GHG emissions. Hence, dairy farming needs to engage in environmental impact assessment. Public concern for a sustainable and environmentally friendly farming system is growing, resulting in the significant importance of food-based life cycle assessment (LCA). Over the last decade, LCA has been used in agriculture to assess total GHG emissions associated with products such as milk and manure. It includes the production of farm inputs, farm emissions, milk processing, transportation, consumer use, and waste. LCA studies on milk production would assist us in identifying the specific production processes/areas that contribute to excessive greenhouse gas emissions when producing milk and recommending appropriate mitigation strategies to be implemented for a clean, green, and resilient environment.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the association of the temperature-humidity index with physiological, biochemical and behavioural responses in Malabari, crossbred and Attappady black goats of Kerala, India. A positive correlation was noticed between in-house temperature (IT) and temperature-humidity index (THI) with respiration rates, rectal temperatures, heart rate and skin temperature levels of breeds at 2.00 PM and 5.00 PM. Biochemical and endocrines parameters, blood gases and electrolytes were analysed during the 2nd, 32nd and 60th day of the study. Alterations in physiological parameters were more significant in Malabari goats. However, a negative correlation was observed between in-house relative humidity and all physiological parameters during all the different times. Behavioural patterns were influenced by increased IT and THI and the breeds spent more time in standing position during heat stress. A significant difference was observed within the study period in the pO2, Na+, HCO3- and blood pH. A significant difference was observed between the breeds for K+, Cl- and HCO3- levels. A significantly higher glucose level on the 32nd day and a lower total cholesterol level in the latter half of the experimental period were noticed in Malabari and crossbred. Mean total protein levels of all the breeds were significantly increased on the 32nd day. Increased GGT levels were observed in the first half of the experimental period in all breeds. Higher cortisol levels in Malabari and crossbred could be estimated in the first half of the experiment. Although Malabari showed higher T3 levels on the 32nd day compared to other breeds, within the breeds no significant difference in T3 levels could be noticed. However, significantly higher T4 values were recorded on the 32nd day and 60th day only in Crossbred breeds when the IT and THI were high. Thus it has been shown that heat stress was affecting the physiology, metabolism and behaviour of breeds. The increase in respiratory rate and rectal temperature were the first signs of heat stress in these breeds. The physiological manifestations of stress were the greatest for Malabari goats and the least for Attappady black.

A study on the dairy management practices adopted by dairy farmers who had been affected by the floods of 2018 was carried out in selected districts of Kerala state. A cross sectional survey design was employed for the study in which data were collected using structured interview schedules. Analysis of data revealed that 76.70 per cent of the respondents had housed their animals in traditional kutcha sheds. Raised platforms were seen in 84 per cent of the animal sheds. It was observed that 84.70 per cent of sheds had floors of concrete. Regarding the roof, it was observed that 89.30 per cent were constructed with sloping roof. The predominant roofing material used was sheets of galvanized iron (62.70 Per cent). Analysis of the occupational status of the farmers indicated that dairying was their primary occupation that majority of them undertook for self-employment (42 per cent) and additional income (32.70 per cent). On the adoption of important management practices, it was evident from the study that all the respondents had adopted scientific management practices such as regular vaccinations and regular deworming of dairy animals. However, it was also notable that 33.30 per cent of them had not adopted the practice of scientific disposal of carcass. This is important from the public health point of view, especially in event of natural calamities such as the Kerala Floods, 2018.

In India, majority of the small-holder farmers are depending on semi-extensive farming system. The cost-effective method of semi-extensive farming is being practised in the hilly regions of Kerala, especially the Vagamon hill ranges of Idukki district. Scientific dairy farming in such semi-extensive farming systems requires evaluation of the quality of grasses in meadows, animal preference to flora and the soil quality. The study was conducted at the Base Farm, Kolahalamedu under Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University where the animals are regularly left out for grazing. The most preferred grass species by the grazing animals was Congo signal in the meadows. Cultivated fodder (Setaria sp.) was also offered to the animals while at the shed. The dry matter content of grass species favoured to meet the dry matter requirement of animals to a major extent and hence the enrichment of soil quality of the meadows will increase the nutritive quality and biomass content of grasses. It is suggested that, proper management of meadows of Vagamon hill ranges with respect to type of grasses and soil quality will favour cost-effective dairy farming

An ex post facto investigation into the socio-economic characteristics of the flood affected dairy farmers of Ernakulam and Thrissur districts was carried out during the months of October to December in 2020. Ten villages each were selected at random from Ernakulam and Thrissur districts and 75 livestock farmers each from the selected villages were studied. A cross sectional survey design was employed for the study in which data were collected using pretested structured interview schedules. Analysis of data on the socio-economic characteristics of the affected farmers revealed that 79.3 per cent were members of nuclear families and that 60 per cent of them fell in the age group 40-59 years. It was also evident that 56.7 per cent of the affected farmers were women. The educational status of most of the respondents ranged from middle school (25.3 %) to Secondary School (24.7%). Dairying as a primary occupation was reported by 79.3 per cent of the respondents and this was not a new venture for the vast majority of respondents as evidenced by the fact that 86.7 per cent of the them had been engaged in this activity for over 30 years. The annual income from animal husbandry for 48.7 per cent of respondents was between Rupees 30,000 and Rupees 60,000. Majority of the respondents were small land holders (86%) reporting low levels of material possession (69.3%). Many respondents gone through the serious hardship at their relief along with psychologically depressed, so that the intervention of government during post flood is at most important.

Housing conditions playcritical role in regulating the influence of outside weather on animals.The present study was carried out to compare the weather parameters outside and inside the animal houses and the chances of thermal stress (TS).Daily recordings of ambient temperature (AbT), relative humidity (RH) and temperature humidity index (THI) from in house (IH) and outdoor (OD) recordings were compared across months, quarters and half years over a period of one year.Weather parameters showed significant variation between IH and OD recordings with higher AbT and THI inside irrespective of months or seasons, while the pattern of RH variables were opposite with higher values OD than IH.AbT variables

Abstract: Livestock markets perform major exchange function of animals in India. These markets play a considerable share in the economic gain of farmers and act as a social and cultural migration hub for the domestic and foreign tourists also. But they are largely unorganized and dominated by informal traders. The structural base of livestock markets determines the sales pattern and the major price value of animals is bagged by middlemen. These markets are functioning under the jurisdiction of the state governments and supervision is under the control of the local bodies. The different marketing strategies in the markets and pricing are affected by qualitative and quantitative factors of animals. The major constraints regarding the livestock markets are the lack of facilities and unawareness of knowledge among the sellers and buyers. The role of livestock markets in disease transmission is also a matter of concern. Details regarding animal movement will facilitate epidemiological studies to prevent contagious diseases from outside the country. In the present COVID-19 pandemic, conventional livestock markets are closed and virtual markets based on online platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and E-commerce sites are coming up and these transformations are absolutely inevitable. Keywords: Livestock markets, Marketing strategies, India

A study was conducted to compare the effect of automated intermittent wetting and forced ventilation on the physiological parameters of Murrah buffaloes in humid tropics. Twelve lactating Murrah buffaloes were randomly selected from University Livestock Farm and Fodder Research Development Scheme, Mannuthy and grouped into two treatments with six animals each namely, T1 as control, T2 was provided with automated wetting and forced ventilation and were studied under two seasons with different THIs (low – 76.93 ± 0.53 and high – 82.55 ± 0.35). The mean rectal temperature (°F) was 102.04 ± 0.02 and 100.89 ± 0.02 in T1 and T2 respectively during high THI season. The mean pulse rate (beats per minute) was 57.92 and 55.23 ± 0.15 in T1 and T2 respectively during high THI season. The mean respiratory rate (breaths per minute) was 17.92 ± 0.15 and 15.28 ± 0.15 in T1 and T2 respectively during high THI season. The respiratory rate, pulse rate and rectal temperature were found to be significantly lower in T2 when compared to control group in both the seasons. Even though there was no significant difference, a substantial increase in milk yield was found in T2 when compared to control group in both the seasons. It may be concluded that animals in T2 experienced relatively mild heat stress compared to control group which was evident by the lower values in physiological parameters and a relatively higher milk yield. So, it could be suggested that in tropical humid climate, automated wetting and forced ventilation with respect to the relative humidity may be preferred when compared to the other thermal stress alleviating measures.

Continuous recording of core body temperature is the major requisite to study thermodynamics of the body indetail .Information on dynamic diurnal corebody temperaturehelps to formulate suitable thermal stress alleviating measures in livestock production. There are several electronic loggers available to record body temperature continuously. In this study a small and convenient Thermochronibutton was used to record vaginal temperature of dairy cattle subjected to thermal stress alleviating measures in winter and summer. It provided accurate and continuous data to analyse the effect of stress relieving measures and season on core body temperature of dairy cows.

Diurnal behaviour of dairy cows was assessed in different thermal stress management system during summer period. Three different thermal stress alleviating measures were compared with control animals. Wetting and forced ventilation (T1), early morning and late evening concentrate feeding (T2), Vitamin E supplementation (T3) and control (T4)were the treatments. Time remained in standing position was more in control animals. Animals in T1 spent more time in lying position forrumination than other treatments. Animals in T1 which were subjected to wetting and forced ventilation experienced less thermal stress and stayed significantly more time in lying position than control. It was concluded that wetting and forced ventilation was better option to reduce thermal stress in dairy cattle.

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is the national authority to ensure that the use of ionizing radiation and nuclear energy in India does not cause undue risk to the health of workers and members of the public, and the environment. AERB fulfills its mission by stipulating and enforcing rules and regulations concerned with nuclear and radiological safety. This paper describes the regulatory authorization process of AERB as applicable to nuclear power plants (NPPs) during their construction as well as operating phases. The safety review process during construction is presented as case studies. Some current issues related to operating plants are also described. Two typical examples of safety upgradations made in old generation nuclear plants are given.The regulatory process in India is continuously evolving to cater to the new developments. Some of the recent initiatives taken by AERB in that direction are briefly described. Today AERB faces new challenges like simultaneous review of a large number of new projects of diverse designs, a fast growing nuclear power program and functioning of operating plants in a competitive environment. This paper delineates how AERB is gearing up itself to meet these challenges in an effective manner. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Analysis of data on musth episodes of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) collected from Punnathoor Kotta of Guruvayoor revealed that the duration of musth was 99 +/- 36 days, increasing as age advances. Hours of bright sunshine had pronounced influence on the duration of musth. The number of elephants coming to musth showed peaks during January and August, which are the post monsoon periods in Kerala.

In computer game-playing, the established method for constructing an evaluation function uses a scalar value computed as a weighted sum of features. This paper advocates the use of partial order evaluation, and describes an efficient new search method called partial order bounding (POB).Previous tree search algorithms using a partial order evaluation have attempted to propagate partially ordered values through the search tree, which leads to many problems in practice, such as the complexity of backing up sets of incomparable evaluations. POB compares partially ordered values only in the leaves of a game tree, and backs up boolean values through the tree. A closely related new algorithm, linear extension partial order bounding (LE-POB), uses a standard scalar alpha-beta search with values from a suitably chosen linear extension of the partial order evaluation. As an application, the effectiveness of partial order evaluation is shown in the case of modeling capturing races called semeai in the game of Go.