( 5 )
Bull-rearing and breeding farms and dépôts.
See table IX.
34. Kheri cattle farm.—This farm which is situated at Man jhra-Lakhimpur 8
has now been established nearly five years and since the first issue of bulls in 1912
considerably over a hundred animals have been distributed. These are of
Kherigarh, Parehar and Ponwar breeds and are now at stud work in the districts
of Fatehpur, Banda, Allahabad, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Gorakhpur, Basti, Garhwal,
Lucknow, Unao, Rae Bareli, Sitapur, Hardoi, Kheri, Fyazbad, Gonda, Bahraich,
Sultanpur, Partabgarh, while several have been supplied by the department for
agricultural purposes. These cattle are small active animals of great endurance
and are mainly used for quick draft and agricultural work in the districts of North
Oudh and the sub-montane tracts being largely exported to the rice growing lands
of Bengal. A constant supply of bulls to the breeding grounds where these breeds
flourish seems necessary in order to continue to maintain the cattle industry.
35. The farm itself suffered very severely from the heavy floods in August
last by inundation of the grazing grounds and the standing crops. The farm
buildings and fencing also sustained serious damage. It is nevertheless satisfactory
to be able to report that owing to the strenuous efforts of the staff no casualties
occurred, although practically the whole area of the farm was under water.
The damage which occurred is now being rapidly repaired and improvements
and additions to the farm premises have been made. The overseer's quarters are
now practically ready for occupation and the inspection bungalow will be shortly
finished. The jungle is gradually becoming cleared and the grazing land has been
much improved. The land is being systematically fenced off into convenient fields
and paddocks, and where necessary trees are being planted. Simple and effective
irrigation from the adjoining stream is being introduced and will be carried out by
means of " bhonka " and portable pumps.
There are at present 285 head of live stock on the farm. The past year has
again been a particularly healthy one for the cattle only three deaths having
taken place.
As I remarked in last year's report in order to provide for the pressing
immediate demands for bulls and for a continuous supply for the near future it was
necessary on the establishing of the farm to buy well bred and suitable male
calves and rear them till old enough to issue for stud purposes. This system ,
although necessary, had its disadvantages, as it is difficult and often impossible to
form a sound opinion of a bull calf at an early age or prediet what kind of animal
he will grow into. As the farm develops, however, good cows are being gradually
introduced and it is hoped that in the future we shall be able to establish superior
strains of our own in which case it will be not necessary to go outside for the
purchase of young stock.
See table IX.
36. Madhurikund farm, Muttra.—Much delay has been experienced in the
completion of the buildings for this farm, as well as in the provision of adequate
irrigation. Nevertheless in spite of these difficulties it has now been partially
stocked with 204 animals all of which up to the present are doing well. Twenty-
eight bulls of the Kosi, Hissar and Montgomery breeds have already been
issued, and also some good Murrah buffalo bulls. A further batch of young sires
are being prepared and will shortly bo fit for distribution. Owing to the serious
drought which occurred during the past year and the want of facilities for
irrigation, the forage crop was a failure, and grazing became exceedingly scarce,
hence it was found necessary to import hay, jowar and other forage from better
favoured districts. It is satisfactory however to note that it has been possible to
maintain nearly all the cattle in excellent health and fair condition. Select herds
of well bred cows of the breeds of Hissar, Sahiwal and Murrah buffalo are being
gradually formed and, as is the case with the Kheri farm, we hope eventually to
establish our own improved breeds.
The land is being gradually cleared, manured and generally improved. It is
being carefully fenced and divided into suitable paddocks. Some inconvenience
is experienced by reason of the difficulty of access to the farm for the want of a
suitable roadway. In spite of the severe drought, the past year has been a
healthy one for the cattle, very few deaths having occurred.
37. Bulls and cows of the Shorthorn and Ayrshire varieties have been
imported recently. Special breeding experiments will be conducted with these
animals and an endeavour will be made to build up a strain which will stand the
Indian climate and give a permanently increased milk yield.