The Cattle Breeding Farm, Thumburmuzhy was started in 1957 under Animal Husbandry department as Cattle Breeding Research Station. In 1972 the farm was taken over by Kerala Agricultural University and converted to Dry Salvage Farm. In 1993 this farm was upgraded to a milch cattle breeding farm. From 2010 onwards, the farm has been functioning under Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University. The research station has total land holdings of 63 acres wherein 75% of the total land area is used for the production of high quality fodder.
Mandate:
The Cattle Breeding Farm, Thumburmuzhy (CBFT) is an educational institution under Kerala Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University with the objectives of teaching, research and extension. It’s mandates are as follows:
To provide training facilities of model dairy farm for the entrepreneurs
To provide facilities for Post Graduate research on animals
To provide on farm training to Veterinary and Dairy Science students
To act as a regional centre for the transfer of technology to farmers
To extent facility of artificial insemination to local cattle
To maintain a gene pool of various improved fodders and supply of fodder seeds
To act as a farm tourism centre for inculcating the interest in animal farming
To function as a demonstration unit to farmers
To supply quality heifers and calves to farmers
To conserve the indigenous breeds of cattle like Vechur
Funding :
Government of Kerala & Government of India
Staff structure
Scientific staff:
Professor & Head – 1
Assistant Professors – 2
Administrative & Supporting staff:
Section Officer – 1
Assistants – 3
Computer Assistant – 1
Class IV – 5
Driver (LDV) - 1
Total number of 15 sheds in the farm, including 3 fully mechanized milking sheds, 3 pregnant animal sheds, 3 calf sheds, 3 heifer sheds, 3 Dry animal sheds
Fodder museum for fodder research activities
Extended research facilities to MVSc & PhD scholars of the university
Accomplishments
The climate control group of the United Nations Development Programme selected Thumburmuzhy Model Aerobic Compost (TMAC) as a Gandhian Technology for rural India, developed by Dr. Francis Xavier, former Professor & Head, CBF, Thumburmuzhy.
Rearing Frieswal breed of cattle with an average daily milk production of 850 litres.
Development of a novel variety of hybrid Napier fodder grass named Thumburmuzhy-1 (TM1).
Production and supply of high quality fodder and fodder slips. The major varieties maintained are CO-3, CO-5 and TM-1.
Development of “ASWASA” - a cost effective thermal stress ameliorative method for better productivity of cattle. This system was established as an on-farm trial in CBF, Thumburmuzhy using the funds available from the previous university plan projects
Automatic watering system in the milking sheds and grazing area
Establishment of new laboratory with sophisticated equipments for disease diagnosis
Purchase of modern farm equipments like chaff cutter
Installed Rain Gun type Sprinkler for irrigation purpose.
Projects :
On-going Projects:
Title of the Project
Name of Principal investigator
Funding Agency
Fund Allocated
Duration of Project
Strategies for Improving the Fodder Production of Kerala State
Head, CBF, Thumburmuzhy
State Plan Project
15 Lakhs
Continuing
Enhancement of productivity at Cattle Breeding Farm ,Thumburmuzhy
Head, CBF, Thumburmuzhy
State Plan Project
28 Lakhs
Continuing
Research activities
Research under state plan projects are being carried out apart from the MVSc/PhD research works.
Academic activities
Provides training to internship students of BVSc & AH, B.Tech Dairy Science, Diploma in Dairy Science and Technology and MSc Animal Science of both Mannuthy and Pookode campuses.
The farm also provides technical advice and facilities for research work of MVSc and PhD scholars.
Offers various certificate course for plus two passed students.
Provides hands on training to farmers, women and new entrepreneurs.
Extension activities
Cattle breeding farm, Thumburmuzhy provides practical training, workshops and technical advices to dairy farmers and entrepreneurs. The farm supplies Thumburmuzhy model aerobic compost to farmers, the most efficient and cost effective waste management model. The farm also provides farm fresh milk.
The farm provides visit, on-farm discussions and hands-on training to dairy farmers, entrepreneurs, and people’s representatives in collaboration with other departments or agencies in the state.
Awareness seminars and classes to school children to arouse interest in livestock farming among them and enable to develop future entrepreneurs.
Publications
Research Articles Published :
S.N. Archana, A. Prasad, Justin Davis and T.X. Seena. 2019. Papillomatosis and its Treatment under Farm Condition. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences. 8(4)
Biya Ann Joseph and Seena T.X. 2020. Effect of ameliorative measures on the temperature – humidity index in rabbitry. National online seminar on environmental protection for improving animal and human health held from 24th to 27th April, 2020. Pg 220
Seena T.X., Biya Ann Joseph and Shyama. K. 2020. Environmental factors affecting the spread of zoonotic diseases. National online seminar on environmental protection for improving animal and human health held from 24th to 27th April, 2020. Pg. 309
Seena, T.X.,Archana, S.N.,Sachu Zachariah John.,Amitha Thomas., Justin Davis and Metilda Joseph, Seasonal effect on Sex and Birth weight of Frieswal Calves in Kerala, Proceedings of International e- conference on Effect of COVI-19 pandemic on Agriculture and allied Sciences- ECPAAS-2020 organised by Society for Science and Nature, pp54.
Popular Articles / Technical Report published :
Archana,S.N., Sathya, P, Justin Davis and Seena, T.X. “Leptospirosis” Kerala Karshakan- ejournal April 2019
Seena, T.X Kalam Mari Kalitheettayum Karshaka Sree Magazine May 2019
Seena, T.X Kodamthuruthinte ksheerasagaram Karshakan Magazine May 2019
Seena, T.X‘Paalulpadanathinu aayiram gunamulla shathavari’ Kerala Karshakan Magazine June 019
Seena. T. X. Bovine Ephemeral fever Kerala Karshakan- ejournal March 2020
Seena. T. X. Palilude covid pakarumo Karshaka sree online magazine March 2020
Seena. T. X. Kuranganpani ariyendathellam Luca e –Magazine March 2020
Seena. T. X. Kozhikal nashttapedathirikkan venam venalkaala samrakshanam Karshaka sree online magazine March 2020
Seena. T.X. Pakarchavyadhikal thadayan pakshimrigadigale valarthunnavar ariyendathu Luca e -Magazine March 2020