NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Science Chapter 15
Important NCERT Questions
Improvements in Food Resources
NCERT Books for Session 2022-2023
CBSE Board and UP Board
Intext Questions
Page No-210
Questions No-1
Which method is commonly used for improving cattle breeds and why?
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Cattle farming is commonly used for improving cattle breeds. The purpose of cattle farming is to increase the production of milk and draught labour for agricultural work. Dairy animals (females) are used for obtaining milk and draught animals (males) are engaged in agricultural fields for labour work such as carting, irrigation, tilling, etc. Cross breeding between two good varieties of cattle will produce a new improved variety. For example, the cross between foreign breeds such as Jersey Brown, Swiss (having long lactation periods) and Indian breeds such as Red Sindhi, Sahiwal (having excellent resistance power against diseases) produces a new variety having qualities of both breeds.
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Cross breeding is a process in which indigenous varities of cattle are crossed by exotic breeds to get a breed which is high yielding. During cross breeding, the desired characters are taken into consideration. The offspring should be high yielding, should have early maturity and should be resistant to climatic conditions.
The milk production of cattle can be increased by the technique of selective breeding. This is done by cross breeding between a local breed (indigenous breed, e.g., Red Sindhi, Sahiwal) cow and in exotic (foreign breed, e.g., Brown Swiss) bull. The local cow is selected for the character of disease resistance. The exotic breed of bull is selected for the character of prolonged period of lactation and high yield of milk. The breeding may be done by natural methods or by artificial insemination (i.e., injecting the semen obtained from the desired bull into reproductive tract (vagina) of the cow during fertility period). The desired characters are thus obtained in the next generation.
One commonly used method for improving cattle breeds is selective breeding. Selective breeding involves carefully choosing specific animals with desirable traits, such as high milk production, robust health, or efficient meat conversion, to be the parents of the next generation. By selecting individuals with superior genetic characteristics, breeders aim to perpetuate and enhance those traits in subsequent generations. This method allows for the controlled and gradual improvement of cattle populations over time, resulting in herds that are better adapted to their intended purposes, whether for meat, milk, or other agricultural needs.
Another widely employed technique is artificial insemination (AI). Artificial insemination involves the introduction of carefully selected semen from superior bulls into female cattle, allowing for a more extensive and efficient dissemination of desirable genetic material. AI offers several advantages, including the ability to use semen from genetically superior bulls that may be located at a considerable distance from the breeding site. This method enables breeders to access the genetic potential of elite individuals without the logistical challenges associated with transporting the animals. Additionally, AI allows for the rapid dissemination of genetic improvements across a broader population, facilitating the acceleration of desired traits in a cattle herd. Both selective breeding and artificial insemination are pivotal methods in modern livestock management, contributing significantly to the continual enhancement of cattle breeds for optimal productivity and adaptability.