Muhamma grama panchayat will set up a special reproduction centre to help the Vechur cattle mate naturally

In yet another effort to conserve the smallest cattle breed in the world, the Muhamma grama panchayat will set up a natural mating centre exclusively for Vechur cattle on Pathiramanal Island.

The ‘super-specialty’ Vechur cow reproduction centre is touted as the first of its kind in the State. Muhamma panchayat president J. Jayalal told The Hindu that the centre would be set up on 56 acres.

“This is an attempt to promote natural breeding of the Vechur cattle. The panchayat has been offered a purebred Vechur bull by a farmer. We hope to commence the project by December end,” Mr. Jayalal said. According to officials, the bull and the cows will be allowed to roam free and graze on the vast green pastures allowing natural breeding. Once a cow is impregnated, the animal will be returned to its owner.

“Pathiramanal was once a hotspot for cattle grazing. However, the place lost its sheen as grazing pasture over the course of time. Our attempt is to bring the culture back. We will be charging a nominal fee from farmers for natural breeding,” Mr. Jayalal said.

This rare breed averaging around 90 cm in height and about 130 kg in weight takes it nomenclature from a village of the same name. It was on the brink of extinction until Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) launched a conservation programme nearly two decades ago.

Around 4,000 head of Vechur cattle are supposed to exist today in Thrissur, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, among other districts. A sizeable number of cattle is also with the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences.

Vechur cow milk is considered good for health as it has got higher proportion of smaller fat globules and saturated fatty acids.

Sosamma Iype, retired Professor, Animal Breeding and Genetics, KAU, who pioneered the revival of the the Vechur breed, said the conception rate would be high in natural breeding.

“There is nothing wrong in going for natural instincts. Compared to artificial insemination, the conception rate is high in natural mating.

The important thing is the selection of the bull and the technical expertise available with the panchayat.

They need to be extra careful in selecting the animal.

The bull need to be healthy and purebred. Also, bulls need to be rotated in a timebound manner to get optimal reproductive performance,” Dr. Sosamma said.