A one and half year old heifer was presented with a hard mass hanging from brisket region. The mass was oval shaped, 10 x15 cm in size, pedunculated with the base at the level of carpal joint. Cytological examination revealed melanocytes with the presence of numerous blackish melanin pigments in the cytoplasm. Histopathological examination revealed that the tumor was comprised of heavily pigmented spindle shaped cells, arranged in sheets with a large nuclei and abundant granular black pigment in the cytoplasm. Following surgical removal of the mass, the animal recovered with no recurrence. Based on clinical examination, cytology and histopathological findings, the growth was diagnosed as cutaneous melanoma.

The occurrence of the spirurid nematode, Pterygodermatites cahirensis in a Palm civet cat (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) observed during necropsy is reported. The worms were found in the intestinal content. Male worms were small and slender compared to females. The worms had two rows of spines on the lateroventral sides along the whole length of the body. Males had short spicules. Females had uterus filled with developing ova. Eggs were thick-shelled with undifferentiated yolk mass.

An attempt was made to overview the conduct, components and output of various livestock research activities conducted in TANUVAS for the period from 2008 to 2018. Among 152 projects completed during the study period, there were 52 health projects, 36 production, 25 social science, 16 clinical science, 14 infrastructure, six processing, two environment and one education related projects. The research investment of projects completed from 2008 to 2018 was found to be the highest for Health (Rs.1767.70 lakhs), followed by Infrastructure (Rs.1723.40 lakhs), Production (Rs.668.72 lakhs), Social science (Rs.393.82 lakhs), Clinical science (Rs.360.28 lakhs), Education (Rs.221.47 lakhs), Processing (Rs.87.50 lakhs) and Environment (Rs.14.64 lakhs). Among various livestock species, Poultry research occupied predominant position with 39 numbers of projects with outlay of Rs.791.25 lakhs. It should be noted that the research on companion animals and fodder were less than 10 in last ten years. A total of 44 patents were filed in TANUVAS during last decade, among which seven were granted. It is concluded that the focus should also be made on fodder, swine and companion animal and fodder research.

An attempt was made to work out the factor shares and value shares of output in livestock sector over last 19 years and to examine in the Total Factor Productivity (TFP) growth of livestock production i.e. livestock production growth over and above the input growth in Tamil Nadu using secondary data for the period from 1999-2000 to 2017-18 from various reports on state-wise estimates of value of outputs from Central Statistics Office, Government of India and Department of Economics and Statistics, Government of Tamil Nadu. The share of milk to total value of output in Tamil Nadu decreased from 68 per cent to 27 per cent from the year 1999-2000 to 2017-18, whereas product shares of meat increased from 18.45 per cent to 64.77 per cent during the same period. During the same period, the factor shares of feed (47.65 per cent to 38.06 per cent) and dry fodder (36 per cent to 20 per cent) was decreased, in contrast to the share of green fodder (10 to 19 per cent). The value of TFP was found to be increasing gradually from the year 2000-01 to 2002-03 and drastically declined during the year 2003-04 (0.95), thereafter it increased gradually from the period 2003-04 to 2016-17, with drastic dip during 2011-12 and minor dip during 2007-08, 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2017-18. From the year 1999- 2000, the cumulative TFP index increased to 6.17 during 2004-05, 12.79 during 2010-11 and 20.38 during 2017-18 with increase of one unit per annum, which indicated good sign of livestock development in Tamil Nadu. It could be concluded that the technological interventions in livestock sector (output growth over and above the input growth) in Tamil Nadu shared about 72 per cent in the growth of livestock sector for the past 19 years.

A total of sixteen commonly available medicinal herbs (different parts) used in Indian traditional medicine were collected. The collected parts were, shade-dried, ground to fine powder and stored in air-tight containers. The samples were analyzed for proximate principles, acid-insoluble ash, gross energy, minerals and fatty acids. Emblica officinalis fruits had significantly (P < 0.05) highest moisture (88.67%), Moringa oleifera leaves had significantly (P < 0.05) highest crude protein (26.99 %), Coriandrum sativum seeds had significantly (P < 0.05) highest crude fibre (32.53%), Syzygium aromaticum buds had significantly (P < 0.05) highest crude fat (18.57 %), Mentha spicata leaves had significantly (P < 0.05) highest total ash (11.53 %), Allium sativum bulbs had significantly (P < 0.05) highest nitrogen-free extracts (90.14 %) and Murraya koenigii leaves had significantly (P< 0.05) highest acid insoluble ash (4.71 %). The gross energy content was significantly (P < 0.05) highest in Coriandrum sativum seeds (4605.33 Kcal/Kg). Azadirachta indica leaves had significantly (P < 0.05) highest calcium (2.99 %), Phyllanthus niruri leaves had significantly highest (P < 0.05) phosphorus (0.53 %), Andrographis paniculata stem and leaves had significantly (P < 0.05) highest copper (41.27 ppm), E. officinalis fruits had significantly (P < 0.05) highest iron (596.78 ppm) and S. aromaticum buds had significantly (P < 0.05) highest manganese (286.96 ppm). C. sativum seeds had significantly (P < 0.05) highest levels of oleic acid (73.76 %), T. foenum seeds had significantly (P < 0.05) highest levels of linoleic acid (36.43 %) and P. niruri leaves had the significantly (P < 0.05) highest levels of linolenic acid (51.78 %) Further studies are needed to quantify other bioactive compounds, to study their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties so that they could be used as alternatives to antibiotics / other drugs for livestock and poultry.

The sheep lungworm Dictyocaulus filaria is of world-wide distribution and causes verminous pneumonia which may result in weight loss and death of the infected sheep. The current investigation was carried out in an organized farm in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, India during the period from 2012 to 2014. Infected sheep showed clinical illness varying from dullness, depression, moderate coughing, dyspnoea and labored breathing with little mortality. On necropsy, both larval and adult stages of lungworm were recovered from trachea, bronchi and bronchioles. The identity of the nematodes was confirmed as D. filaria based on the socks shaped spicules in males and anterior knob in the larva. Of the 55 animals, including 17 lambs examined during the study period, eight animals were confirmed to have died due to verminous pneumonia. Apart from that, in a few lambs, lung abscess was noticed. Though the infection was present throughout the year, the clinical illness was pronounced in dry summer (n=23) and rainy season of south west monsoon (n=19). The disease was managed by minimizing the exposure of lambs to the contaminated pasture and by deworming with two doses of levamisole hydrochloride @ 7.5 mg/ kg body weight at 21 day interval to control the lungworm infection in sheep.

A study was conducted to identify the suitable planting material (stem cuttings/ root slips) for propagation of Cumbu Napier Hybrid Grass Co(BN)5 understorey Cocus nucifera with different fertilizers and manures and to examine the nutritive value of the fodder. The experiment had seven treatments replicated thrice, T1 (Stem cuttings for propagation-Control), T2 (Stem cuttings + Recommended dose of fertilizer), T3 (Root slips + Recommended dose of fertilizer), T4  (Stem cuttings + Farm yard manure@10t/ha), T5 (Root slips + Farm yard manure @ 10t/ha), T6  (Stem cuttings + Farm yard manure @10t/ha + Recommended dose of fertilizer) and T7  (Root slips + Farm yard manure @10t/ha + Recommended dose of fertilizer). No significant (P>0.05) variations were observed in the yield irrespective of planting material and manuring. Significantly highest plant height was observed in Root slips + Farm yard manure @10t/ha + Recommended dose of fertilizer (T7), the number of tillers / plant and leaves per tiller, were significantly highest in Stem cuttings + Farm yard manure @10t/ha + Recommended dose of fertilizer (T6), leaves per clump were significantly highest in T6 and T7. No significant variation existed in the fortnightly body weight, average daily gain and dry matter intake of animals fed Cumbu Napier hybrid grass Co(CN)4 Vs Cumbu Napier hybrid grass Co(BN)5. However, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) in the IVth week was significantly better in Cumbu Napier hybrid grass Co(BN)5 fed cattle. It was concluded that to cultivate Co(BN)5 understorey Cocus nucifera stem cutting with application of farm yard manure and recommended dose of fertilizer was the best practice.

A study was carried out in the month of September, 2022 to know the economics on rearing of indigenous (local) comparative broiler birds at the Poultry Unit of SCS college of Agriculture, Rangamati, Assam Agricultural University, Dhubri, Assam. For the study, day old chicks of indigenous and broiler, 100 numbers each were introduced in deep litter system of management. Broilers were marketed at the completion of 6 th week, while the indigenous birds were kept up to 8 th week and then marketed. Mean body weight was found to be 2082.67±14.85 g and 658.29±3.49 g in the case of broilers and indigenous birds at 6 th week and 8 th week respectively. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded as 1.64 and 2.29 for broiler and indigenous birds, respectively. The cost of production per kg bird is Rs.114.70 and Rs. 227.90 for broiler and indigenous birds respectively. The net profit calculated in production of broilers and indigenous was Rs. 5100.00 and Rs. 7450.00 respectively. Benefit cost ratio (BCR) in broiler and indigenous bird was found to be 1.22.1.00 and 1.53:1.00, respectively.

A study was carried out to assess the effect of dietary crude protein on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Kadaknath chicken up to 12th weeks of age. A total of 240-day old Kadaknath chicks were purchased from the College of Poultry Production and Management, TANUVAS, Hosur and wing banded, weighed individually and distributed randomly into four experimental groups with three replicates of 20 chicks each. Four experimental diets were formulated with four levels of crude protein viz., 14, 16, 18 and 20 per cent with 2800 kcal/kg ME. Growth performance and carcass characteristics were studied. All the data generated were statistically analysed and interpreted. The Kadaknath chicken fed with 20 per cent crude protein with 2800 kcal /kg ME had highest 12th week body weight (1018.66± 55.19 g ) when compared to other treatment groups. The carcass characteristics of Kadaknath chicken showed significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) among treatment groups for eviscerated carcass weight, eviscerated carcass yield, ready-to-cook weight, ready-to-cook yield and per cent giblets. The per cent cut–up parts of Kadaknath chicken at 12 th week of age did not show significant difference among treatment groups. The present study concluded that Kadaknath chicken fed with higher crude protein (20 % CP) resulted in significantly higher 12th week body weight, eviscerated carcass and ready-to-cook yield.

The present case describes the successful vaginal delivery of a buffalo calf with Aplasia Cutis Congenita co-existence with Ablepharon Macrostomia Syndrome (AMS) in a graded Murrah buffalo.