Manikyam- the smallest cow

Posted On : Apr 09 2014

                                           Centre for Animal Adaptation to environment and Climate Change Studies (CAADECCS), KVASU, on 4/4/2014 had the opportunity of hosting the smallest cow of vechur breed of cattle named “Manikyam” who is current nominee in Guinness world records. As a part of this event, Mr.Balakrishnan and his son Akshay. N.V. along with their favorite, smallest cow visited CAADECCS, KVASU, Mannuthy, 4/4/2014, where “Manikyam” was measured for her height with wicket meter designed and developed by Centre for Animal Adaptation to Environment and Climate Change Studies (CAADECCS) with which we can measure height and vital parameters of the livestock, there is also provision of taking photograph through the camera fitted on the top of the wicket meter from which body weight can be calculated using appropriate formula. Through wicket meter height of “Manikyam” is found to be 61.0 cm from hoof to wither. Furthermore, “Manikyam” was garlanded by Prof. Dr. G. Girish Varma who is Implementing Officer of Centre for Animal Adaptation and Climate Change Studies (CAADACCS), KVASU and Professor and Head of the Department, Veterinary physiology. Later Balakrishnan owner of kamadenu natural farm with twelve indigenous breeds in fourty numbers, Atholi, Kozhikode District was honoured by Prof. Dr. A.P. Usha, Associate Dean, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, who is the Chief Guest of the programme and presented a shawl for Balakrishnan and also congratulated “Manikyam”. Finally Prof. Dr. G.S.L.H.V. Prasada Rao, Consultant Professor, Centre for Animal Adaptation to Environment and Climate Change Studies (CAADECCS), KVASU concluded the session by stressing that there is great need for scientific evaluation of these dwarf animals with respect to reproduction and that if these animals are productive, scientists can think of selective breeding. Smaller the animal, lesser the emission of methane which will reduce green house gasses which in turn would help to check the increase in atmospheric temperature and the consequent climate change to some extent since methane emission has got potential effect. Finally all the staff and students of the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, joined the programme and had the opportunity of seeing Manikyam and also took photograph.

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