NARIMASTER CATTLE – a Saga of Success

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BEEF PRODUCTION RESEARCH CENTRE SIBILIVESTOCK & DAIRY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

BALOCHISTAN

Contributors:

Author: Dr Illahi Bakhsh MarghazaniVeterinary OfficerBPRC, Sibi

Patron in Chief: Dr Ghulam Muhammad KhetranFarm SuperintendentBPRC, Sibi

Special Thanks __________________________________________

Dr Muhammad Jamal Marri Divisional Director, L & DD Department, Sibi

Dr Muhammad Iqbal Khetran Director General, Livestock & Dairy Development Department, Balochistan

Background

In Pakistan, human population is increasing with an annual growth rate of 2.2

percent at a continuous pace which has resulted in increased demand of meat in the

country. Cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and poultry are the various sources of meat

production. Of them, cattle and buffalo are 34.3 and 30.8 million heads respectively

which contributes 56 % to the total (2965 thousand tons) meat production (Economic

Survey of Pakistan, 2009-10) in the country. The major source of beef production in

Pakistan is culled animals. These animals are still raised on traditional pattern and most

of the beef is obtained from end of career or emergency slaughtered animals and baby

calves. Hence, current beef production is based on horizontal strength of livestock rather

than vertical production per animal.

Fig.-1: Contribution of different sub-sectors in total meat production of Pakistan

Poultry23%

Beef 56%

Mutton21%

The production of meat is almost stagnant as compared to the increase in human

population. The gap between supply and demand is widening. The main reasons behind

this are genetic potential of

animals, feeding of animals,

their management on scientific

lines and marketing. Keeping

in view these limitations, some

attempts are made to improve

the genetic profile of

indigenous animals for beef

production at “Livestock

Production Research Institute,

Bhadurnagar, Okara and “Beef Production Research Centre, Sibi”. Both components

focused on improving the genetic potential of native breeds for beef production through

cross breeding with well known beef breeds of the world. Livestock Production Research

Institute, Bahadurnagar adopted the policy of cross breeding with beef breeds such as

Charolais and Simmental. On the

other hand, BPRC, Sibi which

was established in 1969,

followed the long term cross

breeding program with

Droughtmaster cattle breed to

develop native beef breed of

Pakistan.

In sixties, a consignment

of Droughtmaster cattle was imported into Pakistan. For having similar environmental

conditions of Queensland, a “Beef Production Research Centre” was established at Sibi

in 1969. Preliminary experiments carried out to select best indigenous cattle breed for

beef production among Sahiwal, Thari and Bhagnari cattle breeds with Droughtmaster

crosses. Results showed that birth weight, weaning weight and average daily gain in first

Growt trend of Beef Production In Pakistan

0500

100015002000

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Years (2001-10)

Bee

f Pro

duct

ion

(000

, ton

s)

Growth Trend of Population of Pakistan

130

140

150

160

170

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Years (2001-10) Po

pula

tion

(Mill

ion)

cross were comparatively better in Bhagnari cattle (24.45±1.5 kg, 145.15±5.5 kg, 0.69±

0.05 g/d) than Sahiwal (22.68± 0.92 kg, 92 .11± 3.5 kg, 0.45± 0.08 g/d) and Thari

(22.23±0.15 kg, 104.33± 4.20 kg, 0.49 ±0.06 kg/d) cattle breeds, respectively. These

preliminary studies recommended Bhagnari cattle for breeding program with

Droughtmaster.

Breeding Program for Developing a Beef Breed

Droughtmaster is the beef breed of Queensland, Australia which developed as a

result of crossing Bos taurus and Bos indicus breeds. Bos indicus inheritances include

Red American Brahman and Africander with some blood genetics of Santa Gertudis. Bos

taurus inheritances include Devon, Shorthorn, Hereford and Red Poll breeds.

Droughtmaster animals have good growth rate, fertility, docility and tick resistance. On

the other hand, Bhagnari cattle breed is the heaviest draught breed of Pakistan which has

its home tract in Sibi, Kachhi and Naseerabad territories. This breed has profound ability

to survive in scorching hot climate of the region. Better conversion efficiency of poor

nutritive roughages, growth rate and mothering are specialties of this breed.

A long term cross breeding program for three generations (crosses) was chalked

out to combine the unique characteristics of both breeds of the world. In first cross, male

Droughtmaster mated with female Bhagnari cow. The resultant first cross was having

50% genetics of each breed. In second cross, female animals of first cross were bred with

male Bhagnari bull. Consequently, the resultant progeny had 25% characteristics of

Droughtmaster and 75 % of Bhagnari cattle. In third cross, female animals of second

cross were selected to be bred with Droughtmaster bull. The obtained progeny was

having 62.5 % genetics of Droughtmaster and 37.5 % of Bhagnari cattle. The resultant

progeny named as “Narimaster”. After completion of breeding plan, Narimaster animals

were crossed within its population for fixation of characters by adopting culling and

selection process. Baseline strength of 300 animals of this breed obtained almost two

decades ago and is being maintained as in situ (on farm) at BPRC Sibi.

Bhagnari (BN: 100%) Droughtmaster (DM:

100%)

(Female) (Male)

First Cross progeny

(DM: 50%, BN: 50%)

First Cross progeny Bhagnari (BN: 100%)

(DM: 50%, BN: 50%) (Male)

(Female)

Second Cross Progeny

(DM: 25%, BN: 75%)

Second Cross Progeny Droughtmaster (DM: 100%)

(DM: 25%, BN: 75%) (Male)

(Female)

Third Cross Progeny

Narimaster

(DM: 67.5%, BN: 37.5%)

Where, DM: Droughtmaster and BN: Bhagnari

Fig-2: Schematic breeding program of Narimaster

Breed Characteristics of Narimaster

In its breed characteristics, Narimaster has reddish dun color with some

percentage of light red color. In our tropical conditions, red color imparts beneficial

effects on the health of animals. It protects cattle from the harmful rays of the sun which

results in less or no incidence of eye cancer and pink eye.

These animals are typically polled however horned animals can also be observed

which facilitates easy handling and management of the herd. It has wide frame and

muscular body structure. Hump is moderate to large and dewlap is loose enough. The

more hide length and area, more will be the sweet glands. As evaporation is the main

mechanism for regulation of temperature, hence, Narimaster cattle suffer less and are

well adapted to scorching hot weather conditions of the region. Narimaster cattle are

quite and docile in behavior. This quality makes them to consume less energy and grow

better and produce more beef. It has good foraging ability and can be managed on

maintenance ration with moderate growth rate. Its beef cuts has fine blend of tenderness

and juiciness.

Potential of “Narimaster” as beef breed

Narimaster has comparatively better birth weight, weaning weight and pre-

weaning growth rate than indigenous cattle breeds. However, the published work in hand

did not represent the true potential of the developed beef breed. The plausible reasons are

underfeeding of animals particularly at pre-weaning stage. Hence, true potential of the

Narimaster can be obtained by proper feeding of calves at early stage so that they could

express its worth at later stage. Keeping such conditions in view, a study was conducted

under “Restructuring and Strengthening of National Agriculture Research System in

Balochistan” (Pakistan Agriculture Research council (PARC) funded project). In this

study, calves of maximum birth weight were tested in fattening trial. These calves

showed quite promising growth rate (0.93±0.06 kg/d) fed at different fattening rations.

Areas that need prompt attention

1. Narimaster is rapidly losing it vigor and other characteristics due to continuous

inbreeding without proper selection and culling procedures and lack of policy for its

propagation. It is suggested that culling intensity need to be increased. Lengthy

procedures for approval need to be minimized. It will be ideal approach that farm

superintendent be made independent in this respect. Further, selection of elite animals, its

conservation and propagation need sound approach. Breed and production characteristics

should be kept in mind during this whole procedure.

2. Sale of milk from beef breed is unjustified. It leads to improper feeding of calves at the

primary stage of age that has dire consequences on later growth rate and weight of

animals.

3. Inadequate budget allocation retards smooth running of the farm. It often leads to

alarming situation in case of ongoing research studies which can face deadly

consequences. Hence, prior to start studies at research centers, finance availability be

assured for the whole period.

4. Farms having research mandate always need investment instead of earnings. Therefore,

income targets for research institutes need relaxation.

5. Capacity building of the existing staff, special package for conducting research studies

and other facilities need special attention to encourage and acknowledge the dedicated

efforts.

6. Proper functioning of research farm needs no interference. Political influence

particularly in case of animals purchase and transfer and posting orders want to be

criticized. It is suggested that we should feel our responsibility and there should be

fashioned commitment for those tasks which are good in national cause rather than

personal interests.

7. The performance of Narimaster cattle breed as in situ (on station, farm, zoo etc.) can

be different from ex situ (open or traditional community based animal husbandry)

environment. There are two main advantageous for ex situ husbandry of livestock.

Primarily, keeping newly developed breed in to controlled environments of government

farms poses the threat of losing adaptive traits. Secondly, livestock breeds are not static

entities but are continuously being shaped and adapted. It is hence believed that livestock

genetic wealth can only be conserved through utilization. Considering these fact, it is

suggested an initial propagation plan of Narimaster cattle breed (which is already too

delayed) need to be designed on priority basis to achieve the community-based

performance of the developed beef breed.

ConclusionNarimaster cattle are the live product of long time research. Despite of

negligence, it has shown some promising features which could play a certain role in

enhancing beef production in Pakistan. However, persistency in its performance need

prompt attention from the both at provincial and federal levels. Further delay in its

propagation and lack of intense selection and culling procedure will degrade the existing

potential of this breed.

Gain ability, Docility, fertility and adoptability are the specialties of Narimaster cattle breed

Reproductive efficiency, calving ease, milk producing ability to rear heavy calves are the characteristics of Narimaster cows

Better feed efficiency, growth rate on poor feeding and lean meat. Narimaster is the unique combination of Droughtmaster and Bhagnari characteristics

Gold Medalist “Historical Horse and Cattle show, Sibi” “National Horse and Cattle show, Lahore”

First Beef Breed of Pakistan