22
III.—BREEDING OPERATION
(1).—BOVINES.
(1) Stud Bulls and their Produce.
19. There are no stud bulls, the property of Government, except those
maintained at the Northcote Cattle Farm, Chharodi, which are allowed to
occasionally bull cows of the neighbouring villages. There were during the
year 42 stud bulls, the property of local bodies, against 43 last year. No
statistics are available as to their produce (vide Table VIII).
II.—BULL REARING AND BREEDING FARMS AND DEPôTS.
20. The Northcote Cattle Farm, Chharodi, has continued as heretofore
under the supervision of the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
Bombay Presidency. Veterinary Assistant P. V. Nagarsheth held charge as
Manager of the Farm throughout the year under report. The herd maintained
at this farm consists of cattle of Kankreji breed. The main object of the farm
is to breed bulls of pure blood for distribution among the herds of Gujarat and
is being carried out as every year bulls are sold to District Local Boards for
stud purposes. The area of the farm consists of 2,251 acres, out of which 50
acres are yearly sown with jowári. The average rainfall of the Sánand Táluka
is 29.52 inches but during the year under report it was 37.18 inches. The
rainfall being however untimely, there was an outturn of only 200,000 lbs.
of karbi and 48 maunds of jowári. There was a balance of 390,300 lbs. of hay
and 75,075 lbs. of karbi on 1st April 1922 and at the close of the year 1,019,040
lbs. of hay and 84,280 lbs. of karbi. The live stock at the farm consists of 485
head of cattle against 464 last year. Of these 4 are stud bulls, 212 cows, 116
heifers, 55 young bulls, 60 young bullocks, 18 cow calves, 9 bull calves, and
11 work bullocks. There were 70 calves dropped during the year (of these 31
were bull calves and 39 heifer calves). There were two outbreaks of contagious
diseases at the farm, viz., Anthrax and Foot and Mouth Disease. Anthrax was
arrested by the prompt use of anti-anthrax serum while the Foot and Mouth
Disease was controlled by careful nursing and attention. There were six deaths
from Anthrax but none from Foot and Mouth Disease. In addition to the above
there were 9 deaths, viz., 2 cows died of old age and debility, one young bullock
of rheumatism, 1 young bull of pneumonia, 1 young bull of fracture, 1 young
heifer of nephritis, 3 calves due to premature births. During the year under
report 3 farm bulla were sold, one to District Local Board, Broach, one to
Panch Mahals and one to a private breeder, realising in all a sum of Rs. 350.
Besides the above 23 unserviceable animals were sold realising a sum of
Ms. 1,054. During the year under report the 11 bulls of the Ahmedabad
District Local Board and 6 of District Local Board, Kaira, which were main-
tained at the farm owing to the failure of the rains in 1911 were returned in
good condition to their respective tálukás. During the year under report the
following improvements have been carried out on the farm:—
(a) The construction of a bandh all round the wire fencing begun last
year has been completed. Cactus has been planted on a large portion of
it thereby minimising the danger of fire from outside and with the object
of eventually forming a permanent fence.
(b) A raised road from the farm buildings to the farm station gate has
been completed greatly facilitating carting operations when the country is
flooded during the monsoon.
(c) A new well has been sunk at the farm which fortunately having
sweet water has proved a boon to the farm people as all the other wells
are brackish.
(d) A rain-gauge to register the rainfall has been put up.
(e) During the year good progress has been made in preparing addi-
tional ground on which mowing machines may be used by removing
under-growth, levelling old beds and filling up holes in the cotton soil. It