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The present study was undertaken to assess the mineral status of buffaloes in different physiological and production status in 4 districts of Western Maharashtra. Blood samples randomly collected from lactating buffaloes, nonlactating buffaloes and buffalo calves were analyzed for minerals including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc, iron and cobalt. The mean concentration of plasma macro-minerals was within the normal range with marginal deficiency of calcium. Micro-mineral analysis revealed significant deficiency of copper, zinc and cobalt in lactating buffaloes followed by non-lactating buffaloes and least in buffalo calves. Marginal deficiency of plasma iron was observed and was non-significantly different among different physiological groups of buffaloes. The present findings indicate the significance of developing area specific mineral mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the economic impacts of infectious diseases on the livestock in India. India has a livestock population of over 500 million and 22 million people are employed by the livestock sector. The authors explain that livestock diseases result in economic loss with mortality, less efficient use of resources and need for faster rates of stock replacement. Aside from reducing the productive capacity of the animals products industry, a disease outbreak may also lessen demand for meat.

The article focuses on the perceptions of dairy owners on the information-enabled animal health information system (AHIS). AHIS field testing reveals greater perception of the utility and the effectiveness of information transmission. It is noted that AHIS can be used for rapid dissemination of expert advice in various locations through the use of village agencies' infrastructure.

The article tests an indigenous herbal preparation consisting of Andropogan muricatus, Annona squamosa, Argemone mexicana, Butea frondosa, Melia azadirachta, and Cedrus deodara for its therapeutic efficacy in dermatomycotic infection in goats. The researchers conclude that the preparation has anti-fungal properties and ability to resist secondary infections. They saw no variations in the serum sodium and potassium levels between the control and the infected groups at various periods.

The article discusses a review on the role of information and communication technology (ICT) in addressing the information needs of various farming systems such as breed improvement through proper breeding program, institutional credit support and improvement in time sensitive livestock services in India. It notes that ICT plays a greater role in livestock disease control, dairy herd management and livestock production. It indicates that India has rich veterinary health traditions and although effective at certain conditions lack technical validation.

The authors discuss the findings of their study on the effects of environmental conditions on the production traits of Jakhrana goats in India. The year of birth was found to have an effect on the body weight of kids but not on birth weight. Kids born in March and April had higher body weights at all ages compared to those born in October and November. They attribute the differences in lactation length and milk yields among does to farm management, buck selection and environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature and humidity.

The article presents a study which evaluated the mineral status of soil, fodder and blood serum of animals in Uttar Pradesh, India to develop supplement for overcoming the deficiency. The samples revealed that calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, copper and zinc were deficient and below critical levels in most animals. Hematological parameters including hemoglobin, serum enzymes, thyroxine hormone, vitamins A and E are lower in mineral deficient animals. It is suggested that these animals must be supplemented with specific minerals for optimum production.

The article provides information on a study that assessed the mineral, hormone and vitamin status in cattle of some districts of Central Uttar Pradesh in India. It observes deficiency of the macro minerals mainly calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and phosphorus (P). The study also notices significant decrease in haemoglobin (Hb), and total erythrocyte count, while total leukocyte count was slightly higher in deficient cattle. The research suggests that the haemato-biochemical, vitamin and hormonal profiles of the cattle of the region are severely affected by mineral deficiency.

The article details a study which investigated the mineral status in soil, fodder and serum from four districts of Tripura state, India. Soil samples were collected from West, South, North and Dhalai Tripura. Overall average prevalence of phosphorus, zinc, copper and cobalt deficiency were discovered at all districts. Calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P) zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) deficiency were also found in fodder. Ca, Mg, iron (Fe) and selenium (Se) were found adequate in soil and serum. The study also found that soil, fodder and cattle of Tripura State were highly deficient in zinc, copper and cobalt.

The article presents a study which focused on the genetic analysis of morphometric traits of Sirohi goats. These goats have been studied with respect to their production and reproduction traits. It found that the positive and high genetic and phenotypic correlations between 3 and 6 months morphometric traits and with other traits suggested that the selection of kids can be done on the basis of 3 or 6 months morphometric traits in order to obtain higher value of morphometric traits at later ages. Management condition must also be improved to gain profit from goat rearing.

The article discusses the results of a study evaluating the impact of area specific mineral mixture (ASMM) on farmers, veterinary officers, and feed dealers in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, India. The impact study considers the awareness of livestock owners about the technology and their adoption of the technology. It highlights field veterinary officers' opinion on technology impact and feed dealers' opinion regarding the sales of ASMM. The demand of ASSM among livestock owners is also cited.

The article focuses on a study that determines newly formulated area specific mineral mixture's efficacy on haemato-biochemical profile of cattle in Tripura, India. It states that haematological study, statistical analysis, and enzyme and hormone estimation were done on 100 cattle. Results show low haemogram values which indicate anaemia caused by consuming forage with low cobalt concentration. It also reveals haemogram improvement in cattle treated with newly formulated mineral mixture.

The article discusses a survey of the mineral status of soil, plant and animals and their interrelation in 3 districts of Kashmir Valley, India. Researchers collected soil, fodder and blood serum samples from randomly selected areas. Findings revealed most of the minerals in soil and fodder are within marginal to deficient levels. Cattle in Kashmir Valley are thus predisposed to mineral deficiencies, and supplementation of copper, iron, zinc and cobalt in diet of cattle under existing feeding practices in Kashmir is needed for better health/productivity.

The article discusses the effect of the transfer of technology (TOT) breed improvement program of the Central Institute for Research on Goats in India on goat production. Data collection and assessment were conducted using surveys and appropriate statistical tools. It discusses the findings with regard to socio-economic attributes, goat management practices, and impact of breeding interventions.

The article discusses a study which evaluated the efficacy of combined adjuvant to that of single adjuvant for eliciting better antibody response against Mycoplasma mycoides so that is can be exploited for development of suitable future prophylaxis. Mycoplasma is known to be the etiological agent of caprine pleuropneumonia. Findings showed that the animals vaccinated with Saponin-algel exhibited higher antibody titre than animals vaccinated with saponin.

The article discusses a study which examined the awareness of consumers in Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh, India about meat-borne zoonotic diseases. Results of the study showed that majority of consumers do not inquire about the license of meat shops and meat inspection. It was concluded that consumers are less concerned about the health status of the retailers, meat inspection and license of the meat shops.

The article discusses young animal management and perceived constraints in livestock rearing in Tamil Nadu, India. It states that 79.36% of dairy owners clean mucous from the nostril and mouth of calves after birth, while 40% of them provide bedding materials. It says that the constraints experienced by buffalo and cattle owners include water scarcity, high feed cost, and high disease incidence.

The article discusses a study on the information needs of livestock owners in Northern India particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It cites an analysis of the data from Kisan Call Center (KCC) that identified the areas where farmers/livestock owners may need information. It points out that most of the information sought by livestock owners related scientific health care of livestock such as the buffalo, cattle and goat. It suggests that the analysis can be used as a tool to gather information and develop specific information packages for them.

The article presents a study which examined the feeding and management practices followed by poor livestock keeper tending buffaloes. Data were gathered with the help of pre-structured interview schedule from 1927 livestock owners tending buffaloes and have participated in the extension programme of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI). According to the study, the underfeeding of animals may result to nutritional and reproductive disorder.

The article discusses a study which evaluated the feeding and management strategies in the commercial dairy farms, based on the assumption that the commercial dairy units will be adopting scientific feeding practices to enhance milk productivity. Findings showed a poor scenario of calf feeding in the commercial dairies and the practice of timely colostrum feeding was not practiced in majority of the dairies. In addition, no proper milk feeding and no proper veterinary care for calf were found in dairy farms.

The article provides information on a study that documented the haemato-biochemical profile in relation to serum mineral in cattle of Tripura state in India. About three milliliter blood were collected from cattle during the survey blood samples. It estimates enzymes serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and serum alkaline phosphatase. It observes lower values of AST (U/L) and ALT (U/L) in all the districts of Tripura. It reveals the overall average concentration of serum progesterone in dry cattle, lactating cattle and calves of Tripura state.