Dr. D.R.T.G. Ratnayake & Dr. L.W.N. Samaranayake

Dr. D.R.T.G. Ratnayake & Dr. L.W.N. Samaranayake

Location of Sri Lanka in world map Eastern longitude between 79 and 82 Northern latitude between 5 and 10

Sri Lanka Total area 65,525 sq km 9 provinces and 25 districts (Administrative) Human population is 21 million. Geographically the country has 3 levels in elevation from sea level to hills. It is a hot humid country. It has two peaks of rain falls annually and it varies between 900mm and 5000mm. It has greenery throughout the year except in dry zone for two to three months. The relative humidity is comparatively high and varies between 70 to 90% in day and night respectively.

9 Provinces Northern 1) Northern Province 2) Eastern Province 3) North Central Province 4) North Western Province 5) Western Province 6) Central Province 7) Uva Province 8) Sabaragamuwa Province 9) Southern Province North Western North Central Central Eastern Western Uva Southern

25 Districts 1) Jaffna District 2) Kilinochchi District 3) Mulaitivu District 4) Mannar District 5) Vavunia District 6) Anuradhapura District 7) Trincomalee District 8) Polonnaruwa District 9) Puttlam District 10) Kurunegala District 11) Matale District 12) Batticalo District 13) Kandy District 14) Ampara District 15) Kegalle District 16) Colombo District 17) Gampaha District 18) Kalutara 19) Nuwara Eliya 20) Badulla 21) Ratnapura 22) Moneragala 23) Galle 24) Matara 25) Hambanthota

Geographically 3 levels Hills Low plane Intermediate plane Island consists of 3 planes across the country 1) Low plane sea level to 125m altitude. 2) Intermediate plane 3) Hills 125 m to 750 m 750 to 2500 m

7 Agro-ecological Zones Based on the variation of the climate, geographical location and the farming system adopted in the area, seven agro-climatic zones have been identified in the country for dairy cattle farming. 1) Low country dry zone 2) Low country intermediate zone 3) Low country wet zone 4) Mid country intermediate zone 5) Mid country wet zone 6) Up country intermediate zone 7) Up country wet zone

Salient Features of Agro-ecological Elevation (m) Ambient T (C) Rainfall (mm) Relative humidity (%) Predominant cattle breeds Zones Hill country Mid country Low country Wet zone Inter mediate Wet zone >1,200 >1,200 450-1,200 Inter mediate 450 1,200 Wet zone Inter mediate Dry zone 0-450 0-450 0-450 10-18 18-24 21-32 25-32 24-35 25-32 21-38 >2,000 1,750 2,000 1,850 5,000 1,750 2,500 1,875 2,500 1,000 1,750 1,000 1,750 58-75 58-75 55-75 55-75 75-90 60-80 70-85 Bos taurus & crosses Bos taurus & crosses Crosses of Bos taurus Crosses of Bos taurus Zebu & crosses Lanka & Zebu crosses Lanka & Zebu crosses Herd size 2-5 2-5 2-5 2-8 2-10 5-20 25-100

Livestock Sector Ministry of Livestock and Rural community Development (MLRCD) - Whole responsibility in livestock development in the country Department of Animal production and Health (DAPH) - responsible in implementing policies and providing technical services mainly disease control, animal breeding with the assistance of 9 provincial DAPHs. National Livestock Development board (NLDB) - maintain nucleus herds and provides bull calves for natural service. Governmental organizations such as MILCO and Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (MASL) also provide bull calves for natural service. Private sector such as Nestle, Chilaw Plantation ltd, Palawattha Dairy company and Ambewela Livestock Company (pvt) ltd etc, also provide technical services to the livestock sector.

Livestock Sector Cattle and buffalo population 1.26 and 0.47 million respectively. (DAPH,2013) 60 65% Cattle are crossbreds Total cattle and buffalo farms 273,648 and 22,342 respectively. (DAPH,2013) Highest cattle population is in Eastern province,276,824 and lowest cattle population is in Sabaragamuwa province,24,620. (DAPH,2013) Highest buffalo population also is in Eastern province 151,510. (DAPH,2013) Milking cows : Dry cows = 47:53 Total annual milk production and collection 381.3 and 202.1 million lts respectively (DAPH,2013) Annual milk requirement 784 millions liters ((DAPH,2013)

GDP Contribution Share of GDP (%) Sector 2012 2013 Agriculture 11.1 10.8 1.0 Agriculture, Livestock and Forestry 9.7 9.5 1.1 Tea 0.9 0.9 1.2 Rubber 0.2 0.2 1.3 Coconut 1 0.8 1.4 Minor Export Crops 0.4 0.4 1.5 Paddy 1.4 1.6 1.6 Livestock 0.8 0.8 1.7 Other Food Crops 3.7 3.6 1.8 Plantation Development 0.3 0.3 1.9 Firewood and Forestry 0.6 0.6 1.1 Other Agricultural Crops 0.4 0.4 2.0 Fishing 1.3 1.3 Industry 30.4 31.1 Services 58.6 58.1

Cattle Breeds Bos indicus Bos taurus Cross breeds Local cattle (Batu haraka) Jersey More crossbreds are in milk shed areas. Crossbreds are crosses of above two or more breeds. AFS Sahiwal Holstein Friesian AMZ Red Sindhi Ayeshire Sunandani? Gir Short horn? Tharpakar Brown Swiss? Khillari

Dairy Cattle Breeds & Farming Systems

Buffalo Breeds Common buffalo breeds Local Niliravi Murrah Surthi Jafrabhadi? Local buffalo show swamp buffalo characteristics although they carry 50 chromosomes. Urban and sub-urban areas buffalos are crosses of two or more breeds of above

Buffalo Breeds & Farming Systems in Sri Lanka

History of Animal Breeding in Sri Lanka Ancient kings had royal cattle herds (White cattle) to fulfill their milk and milk products requirements. No reports available about the breeding practices of these herds The systematic dairy farming commenced by British during colonial era. The higher planes of the country used for this purpose by importing European breeds with higher milk production capacity. The progenies of these animals were given to the Estate Indian Tamil workers who also had a habit of drinking milk The progenies under went of series of crossbreeding with local animals and inter-se mating, subsequently evolved a animal with higher production potential named as Cape. Currently this animal is not available due to indiscriminate breeding.

History of Animal Breeding in Sri Lanka Since 1935 Government imported cattle to improve local animals and established large nucleus farms Hill country farms for Temperate breeds (Jersey, Friesian and Ayrshire ) and Dry zone farms for zebu cattle (Sindhi, Sahiwal and Buffalo) These herds were used to produce breeding material for both AI and natural service.

Livestock Breeding Policy Policy Objective To improve the national herd of livestock through proper selection, breeding and application of appropriate research and technologies to ensure quantitative and qualitative improvement of production while conserving indigenous livestock and their wild relatives.

Livestock Breeding Policy Policy outcomes A) Livestock breeding activities are simplified in the country and breeds with appropriate genetic characters are established in different agroclimatic zones. B) National needs and targets shall be addressed through proper monitoring of livestock breeding activities. C) Indigenous livestock genetic resources are properly conserved and appropriately utilized

Up Country Wet Zone Breeding Objective Breeding Policy Breeding strategy To produce a dairy type animal Grading up using temperate breeds of cattle Breeding strategy defined separately for different farming systems found in the area. Farming system A) Intensive System Continuous grading up of existing cattle using temperate breeds to produce F1 generation, which will have 50% temperate blood level. F1 is back crossed (same temperate breed ) to produce B1, which will have 75% temperate blood level. B1 is again backcrossed (to same temperate breed) to produce B2 which will have 87.5% temperate blood level. This process will be continued to raise the temperate blood level. B) Semi Intensive System Grading up of existing cattle using temperate breeds of cattle Recommended breeds for up grading Friesian Ayrshire Jersey Friesian Ayrshire Jersey Target lactation >4,500 >4,000 >3,500 >3,500 >3,250 >3,000 Remarks Friesian and Ayrshire are known to give more milk whereas the jerseys have a higher fat content Same as above

Up Country Intermediate Zone Breeding Objective Breeding Policy Breeding strategy To produce a dairy type animal Grading up using temperate breeds of cattle Breeding strategy defined separately for different farming systems found in the area. Prominent extensive system is not found in the up country intermediate zone Farming system Recommended breeds for up grading Target Lactation Remarks A) Intensive System Continuous grading up of existing cattle using temperate breeds to produce F1 generation, which will have 50% temperate blood level. F1 is back crossed (same temperate breed ) to produce B1, which will have 75% temperate blood level. B1 is again backcrossed (to same temperate breed) to produce B2 which will have 87.5% temperate blood level. This process will be continued to raise the temperate blood level. B) Semi Intensive System Grading up of existing cattle using temperate breeds of cattle Friesian Ayrshire Jersey Friesian Ayrshire Jersey >3,500 >3,250 >3,000 >3,250 >3,000 >2,700 Friesian and Ayrshire are known to give more milk whereas the jerseys have a higher fat content Jersey breed can tolerate tropical conditions better than Friesian and Ayrshire

Breeding Objective Breeding Policy Breeding strategy Mid Country Wet Zone To produce a dairy type animal Grading up using temperate breeds of cattle Breeding strategy defined separately for different farming systems found in the area. Prominent extensive system is not found in the mid country wet zone Farming system Recommended breeds for up grading Target Lactation Remarks A) Intensive System Continuous grading up of existing cattle using temperate breeds of cattle. B) Semi Intensive System Grading up of existing cattle using Jersey breeds of cattle Grading up of using Friesian/Ayrshire to 75% blood level. The breeding bulls with 75% blood level will be produced in breeder farms. Use Friesian and Ayrshire breed to produce F1. F1 is back crossed to produce B1 which will have 75% level of temperate blood. These bulls will be used for upgrading. Friesian Ayrshire Jersey Jersey Friesian or Ayrshire >3,500 >3,250 >3,000 >2,500 >2,750 Best growth rate is obtained with the Friesian while Jersey have a higher fat content in milk. Jersey breed can tolerate tropical conditions better than Friesian and Ayrshire Ayrshire breed is preferred over Friesian due to lower cost management

Mid Country Intermediate Zone Breeding Objective Breeding Policy Breeding strategy To produce a dairy type animal Grading up using temperate breeds of cattle Breeding strategy defined separately for different farming systems found in the area. Farming system A) Intensive System Continuous grading up of existing cattle using temperate breeds of cattle. B) Semi Intensive System Grading up of existing cattle using temperate breeds of cattle to 50% blood level. The breeding bulls with 50% blood level will be produced in breeder farmers. Use temperate breeds to produce F1, which will have 50% temperate blood level. These bulls will be used in upgrading the existing herds. C) Extensive System Grading up of cattle using temperate X zebu 50% cross bred bulls or continuous grading up using a zebu breed. Recommended breeds for up grading Friesian Ayrshire Jersey Target lactation >3,500 >3,250 >3,000 Friesian Ayrshire Jersey AFS >2,000 Jersey Sahiwal >1,500 >1,250 Remarks Higher milk production is obtained with the Friesian and Ayrshire breed while Jerseys have a higher fat content in milk. Australian Friesian Sahiwal (AFS) has been bred for milk and it could be used straight away for upgrading purpose. Friesian Ayrshire and Jersey crosses have shown promising results under semi-intensive system. Jersey X Sahiwal crosses can produce more milk under tropical conditions.

Low Country Wet Zone Breeding Objective Breeding Policy Breeding strategy To produce a dairy type animal Grading up using temperate breeds of cattle Breeding strategy defined separately for different farming systems found in the area. Farming system A) Intensive System Continuous grading up of existing cattle using temperate breeds of cattle. B) Semi Intensive System Grading up of existing cattle using temperate breeds of cattle to 50% blood level. C) Extensive System Grading up of cattle using temperate X zebu 50% cross bred bulls or continuous grading up using a zebu breed. Recommended breeds for up grading Friesian Ayrshire Jersey Friesian Ayrshire Jersey Target lactation >3,000 >2,750 >2,500 Remarks This recommendation is for very high standard of management conditions. High milk production is obtained with the Friesian and Ayrshire while Jersey breed has a higher fat content in milk. >1,500 Temperate crosses produce higher milk yield under this climatic and management conditions. Sahiwal >1,250 Sahiwal is a tropical dairy breed thriving well under this climatic and management conditions.

Low Country Intermediate Zone Breeding Objective Breeding Policy Breeding strategy To produce a dairy dominant dual type animal Grading up using temperate breeds of cattle Breeding strategy defined separately for different farming systems found in the area. Farming system A) Intensive System Continuous grading up of existing cattle using temperate breeds of cattle. B) Semi Intensive System Grading up of existing cattle using temperate breeds of cattle to 50% blood level. The breeding bulls with 50% blood level will be produced in the breeder farms. Use a temperate breed to produce F1 which will have 50% temperate blood level. These bull will be used in upgrading the existing herds. C) Extensive System Grading up of cattle using temperate X zebu 50% cross bred bulls or continuous grading up using a zebu breed. Recommended breeds for up grading Friesian Ayrshire Jersey AFS Ayrshire Jersey AFS Sahiwal Target lactation >3,000 >2,750 >2,500 >2,500 Remarks This recommendation is for very high standard of management conditions. High milk production is obtained with the Friesian and Ayrshire while Jersey breed has a higher fat content in milk. >1,500 Temperate crosses produce higher milk yield under this climatic and management conditions. Sahiwal >1,250 Sahiwal is a tropical dairy breed thriving well under this climatic and management conditions.

Low Country Dry Zone Breeding Objective Breeding Policy Breeding strategy To produce a dairy dominant dual type animal Grading up using temperate breeds of cattle Breeding strategy defined separately for different farming systems found in the area. Farming system A) Intensive System Continuous grading up of existing cattle using temperate breeds of cattle. B) Semi Intensive System Continuous grading up of existing cattle using a zebu breed or grading up of existing cattle using a temperate breed to 50% blood level. C) Extensive System Continuous grading up of existing cattle using Zebu breeds of cattle. Recommended breeds for up grading Ayrshire Jersey AFS Jersey Sahiwal Target lactation >1,750 >1,500 >1,750 >1,500 >1,250 Remarks If the management conditions are really good the temperate blood level could be raised up to 100%. Sahiwal is a tropical dairy breed thriving well under intermediate semi intensive management conditions. Jersey crosses produce a higher milk yield under tropical weather conditions. AFS could be used straight away until the recommended quality F1 sires are made available locally. Sahiwal >1,200 Sahiwal is a tropical dairy breed thriving well under this climatic and management conditions.

Buffalo Breeding Policy Breeding Objective To produce high yielding Buffalo Breeding Strategy Grading up of existing buffalos using exotic breeds of buffalo Recommended Buffalo Breeds and their production level (L) Murrah - > 2,800 Nili Ravi - > 2,800 Agro climatic zone and management system Whole country

Natural Breeding Initially the Government maintained stud centers in areas where AI service is not accessible. Most centers were in dry and dry intermediate zones. Should bring the cow in heat to the centre to get the service. Leading cows in heat and leading cows managed under intensive system to the stud centers were found impracticable.

Natural Breeding Presently State and Private sector both involved in this program. Annual requirement of stud bulls as replacement stock is 4,500 bulls. Both state and private sectors provide only 800 900 bulls annually. In places where AI is not accessible most of the cows are bred by scrub bulls. Hence, the DAPH provides genetically superior certified bulls for natural service program. The certified bulls for the production potential of their dams, their daily body weight gains and their parentage. The bull calves sources - from Pedigree Performance Recording Scheme (PPRS) and Nucleus farms. Future all bull calves requirement through PPRS and Nucleus farms

The Government imported 2,000 pregnant heifers to the country to maintain as nucleus herd. The average milk production - 20 lts/day The first calf crop has already been distributed among selected farmers. Natural Breeding

AI was introduced in 1937 DF semen technology introduced in 1966 1970s -Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) assisted in establishing and expanding AI technology in the country. 1980s -Asian Development Bank assisted in developing infrastructure for AI service. Swiss Sri Lanka Livestock Development Project Involved in AI and natural service promotion in dry zone Due to these interventions AI numbers have increased remarkably up to 216,000 in 2013.

AI Performance (From 2003-2013) AI AI Number Number 250,000 216,600 200,000 150,000 127,101 137,187 156,704 167,861 172,319 177,430 181,725 203,753 149,289 100,000 127,319 50,000 0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Year Year

Imported Young Bulls DAPH has imported 10 Jersey and 4 Friesian young bulls from Australia. DAPH imported required crossbred semen for the smooth operation of crossbreeding program in the country. Jersey young bulls were used for progeny testing program

At present AI service adds 35,000 AI born heifer calves to the national cattle population in a year. The DAPH is implementing a salvage program for AI born upgraded heifer calves to avoid deaths of calves and to keep the age at first calving below 30 months of their age. These genetically up graded heifers have contributed to increase the milk production in the country.

Milk/mn liters 450,000,000 Annual Milk Production (From 2003 to 2013) 400,000,000 381,363,000 350,000,000 336,196,000 300,000,000 286,691,000 233,316,000 250,000,000 192,741,000 186,804,000 200,000,000 190,296,000 150,000,000 196,582,000 202,009,000 208,093,000 247,554,000 100,000,000 50,000,000 0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Year

Importation of Milk and Milk Products Importation has been reduced since 2011 The increased milk production has reduced the amount of imported milk powder and milk products Metric Tons 100,000 90,000 80,000 70,000 63,874 60,000 50,000 40,000 75,483 88,129 83,818 69,452 30,000 20,000 10,000 0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Year

Present Cattle Breeding Strategies for Future Dairy Improvement Pedigree and Performance Recording Scheme (PPRS) Progeny Testing Program

PPRS Commenced on 1, April 2010 Project period 1.5 years Funded by FAO 335,000 USD Project ended (FAO assistance) 31, December 2011 Presently operating with DAPH allocations. (FAO started this same project in Myanmar, Nepal and Mongolia under TCP assistance)

Long-term Objective To establish a national herd performance recording scheme for cattle and buffaloes To produce sires for national breeding program (For both AI and natural service)

Objectives (Short-term) (During 5 years period- 2013-2017) To increase herd Milking : Dry cow ratio up to 80 : 20 To increase average milk production per cow up to 8 lit/day

PPRS as the Basis of Genetic Improvement Genetically superior bulls and cows for AI program The bulls used for natural service from high merit parents Thus the PPRS is the basis of any (low or high cost) genetic improvement scheme

Present Status of PPRs SRN Achievement Number 1 Number of clusters 20 2 Number of milk recorders 26 3 Number of milk analyzers 04 4 Large farm herds 11 5 Data recorders 01 6 Field supervisors (LDO) 01

Present Status of PPRS (September 2014) Small (< 10 cows) Medium (11 25 cows) Large ( > 26 cows) Total Herds 242 73 11 326 Milking cows 733 51% 377 30% 620 19% 1,730 29% Dry cows 688 857 2,665 4210 Average yield/cow/day 6.7 kg 6.9 kg 5.4kg 6.3kg

Bull Mother Selection Based on breeding value estimation Top ranking cows (30%) will be inseminated with imported semen. Other cows will be inseminated with good quality semen Selected bull calves born to imported semen will be used as future semen donors in AI centre Other bull calves will be used as certified bulls for natural service.

Breeding Values of Cows ID of Cow Birth Last Calf Breed Sex Milk_kg 613300350029 8/29/2011 3/3/2011 11 2 517.399 613004390018 3/5/2007 7/10/2011 3 2 252.213 617210680001 1/1/2005 7/3/2011 11 2 204.607 617200770001 1/1/2007 8/21/2011 11 2 194.971 616906780119 6/28/2005 5/22/2011 6 2 183.069 617209760047 6/7/2003 9/18/2012 5 2 174.965 617209760059 10/15/2003 8/24/2011 5 2 161.399 612105010262 2/6/2008 3/1/2011 2 2 159.483 612105010110 6/14/2003 2/21/2011 3 2 158.908 618708300001 1/1/2002 7/11/2011 3 2 156.005

Breeding Values cont No of cows underwent BV estimation Selected cows Cows impregnated with imported semen No of cows calved Bull calves born and selected 365 135 42 26 4

Selected Bull Mothers Breeding value estimation of cows will be done at the end of each six month and bull mothers will be identified for selection of bull calves for the national breeding program Under this program already 135 mothers have been selected on EBVs and four cross bred bull calves have been selected for AI centers and pregnant elite cows have been identified for future bull calves selection.

Bull Calves born to Bull Mothers Four cross-bred bull calves have been selected for AI centers and pregnant elite cows have been identified for future bull calves selection.

Breeding Programme Schematic AI top imported semen Top go AI Center Top go AI Center Total population AI imported semen 400-500 Recorded Population 10,000 Bulls for Natural service Non-recorded population

Progeny Testing Program Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) assisted DAPH to establish a station method progeny testing program for Jersey cattle in the country under the Genetic and Feeding Management Improvement Project (GFMI) started in March 2009. Used 2 Jersey cattle farms in up-country wet zone and low country intermediate zone. Three cycles of the program have been implemented with three bulls for each cycle.

Progeny Testing Program The daughter cows of the 2 nd cycle are presently in milk and milk yield of those animals are recorded. Fat percentage also is estimated in monthly basis using chemical test at the laboratory established for this purpose. The financial assistance of JICA was terminated on 31 st of March 2014 and this project also is being continued with the assistance of state funds (Treasury funds).

EBVs of Sires EBV of following sires have been estimated in 305 days milk yield Bull 305-d 251 26.08 274 56.63 250-21.49 272 68.33 252-128.98 253 49.95 263 35.73 238-3.73 271-82.53

EBVs of Sires Bull no 272 had highest EBV Semen of bulls 250, 252 and 271 has been discarded EBV 100 50 0 251 274 250 272 252 253 263 238 271 Bull ID -50-100 -150

Field Progeny Testing Program Cross-bred bull semen requirement is more than 60% of the total semen requirement of the country. Since station method is being used only for the progeny evaluation of Jersey bulls in the country, there is a need for progeny testing program for evaluation of cross-bred bulls. DAPH needs to establish a field progeny testing program for testing bull calves selected through PPRS program.

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