Food business incubation centre (FBIC) under the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University established during 2014 hadfacilitated the farmers, students and entrepreneurs in terms of training, consultancy, external project and incubation services. To evaluate the performance of the Food Business Incubation Centre on incubation services, data were collected for a period of 10 years from 2014-15 to 2023-24 and analyzed. The study also included the available data from the financial year 2018-19 to 2023-24 to assess the types ofvisitors and their purpose of visit to the incubation centre and the data were analyzed. It was concluded that majority of the incubatees utilized the FBIC for the incubation services in the area of dairy processing. Totally 14 members successfully graduated of which 50 % of them were female. The highest number of visits was recorded during the financial year 2022-2023 and the maximum of the visitor category was students from schools and colleges and only 9.7 % of the visitors were business aspirants out of the total visitors during the study period.

The present investigation was undertaken to study the occurrence of enterotoxigenic B. cereus from 200 samples including 100 raw milk, 50pasteurized milk and 50 ice cream samples sold in Puducherry. The results revealed that 68 samples (34 %) belonged to B. cereus group which included 36 from raw milk (36%), 9 from pasteurized milk (18%) and 23 from ice cream samples (46 %). On PCR analysis, 64 out of 68 isolates showed the presence of gyrB gene which differentiates B. cereus from B. cereus group isolates. Multiplex PCR revealed the presence of four enterotoxigenic genes hblA, nheA, cytK and entF Min 32.35 %, 77.94 %>, 54.41 % and 94.12% of the 64 isolates. On biofilm production assay, out of 64 enterotoxigenic B. cereus isolates, 60 (93.75 %) isolates showed the ability to form biofilm in which 13 (20.31 %) were strong, 21 (32.81 %) were moderate and26 (40.63 %) were weak biofilm producers. All the isolates were resistant to ampicillin and penicillin G and sensitive to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, vancomycin, streptomycin and norfloxacin. The current study directs the need for proper hygienic measures during collection, production, processing and storage of milk to reduce the contamination level. It also indicates the need for surveillance and action to reduce the contamination of enterotoxigenic B. cereus in milk and milk products in Puducherry.

Gymnema sylvestre, Annona muricata and Ocimum sanctum are well known plants available in India and they are commonly used for the treatment of various diseases including diabetes mellitus. A study was conducted to assess the hypoglycemic effect of a polyherbal extract containing these plants (at two different doses of300 and 600 mg/kg bwt) compared with metformin as a standard hypoglycemic drug at a dose of 100 mg/kg bwt in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. As a part of the study, the effect of the polyherbal extract on the renal and hepatic functions was tested in rats. The serum parameters both ALT and AST values in rats were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in diabetic rats treated with polyherbal extract at 300 mg/kg bwt when compared to Groups I, II and III. BUN values were significantly higher in diabetic and metformin treated groups. Creatinine did not differ significantly among different groups. In conclusion, in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats, the polyherbal extract at 300 and 600 mg/kg bwt had no hepatoprotective action. But the same doses had some renal protective function.

A Dalmatian dog -was brought to the Referral Veterinary Polyclinic, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar with a complaint of erythematous lesions, alopecia and intense itching and had been treated for a long time. Atopic dermatitis was diagnosed based on the history and the exclusion of other infectious agents as potential causes of the dermatitis. The dog was treated with oclacitinib, antibacterial, fatty acids and antihistaminic medications and showed remarkable improvement after therapy.

A one and half year, female, non descriptive dog was presented to Veterinary College Hospital, Hassan with the history of incoordination, drowsiness and vomiting after accidental oral administration ofAmitraz liquid (RIDD®) by the owner. On physical examination animal was dull and depressed. Sedation (drowsiness) and hypothermia was noticed with the rectal temperature of 98.8°E Hemato-biochemical findings were within the normal range. Based on history and clinical signs, the case was diagnosed as amitrazpoisoning and animal was treated with Yohimbine Hydrochloride at the rate of 0.2 mg per Kg body weight intramuscularly and activated charcoal per orally, along with the supportive therapy. Animal was completely recovered after 5 days of treatment.

In India, small and marginal farmers, comprising 85% of the farming community, are pivotal to the rural economy. Addressing the rising demands amidst agricultural resource scarcity requires a holistic approach like Integrated Farming System (IFS). This method combines crop production, livestock, fishery, waste management, and poultry production synergistically. IFS boosts productivity, utilizes resources efficiently, and enhances food production, stabilizing income and ensuring nutritional security. A study in Karaikal district, Union Territory of Puducherry, which was an agricultural land and the entire farm revealed a benefit­cost ratio of 1.75, demonstrating IFS's potential in overcoming population growth and resource challenges.

Different pellet baits were prepared and evaluated for their efficacy to lure house flies in chemotactometer and glue trap bioassays. Pellets with fish meal alone (FM), fish meal + (Z)-9-tricosene (FMP) and fish meal + (Z)-9-tricosene + butylated hydroxyl toluene (FMPB) were prepared. In the chemotactometer bioassay, house flies comprising of a mixed population of males and females were released into the four arm acrylic chemotactometer, acclimatized for 10 min and observed for 30 min. Out of the 201 house flies tested in six replicates, 65.17% (131 flies) responded to the baits. The attraction was maximum towards FMP  pellets (49.61%) followed by FMPB (25.19%) and FM pellets (8.39%) with least preference towards the unbaited control (11 flies, 8.39%). The per cent fly activity was 64.82%. Flies attracted towards FMP and FMPB pellets preferred to stay and spend more time inside the baited arms of the chemotactometer exhibiting wing fanning and mating behaviour. In the glue trap bioassay, a glue trap was fabricated in thermacol sheet of 20 cm L x 10 cm B x 3 cm H with a red glue sheet pasted on it and baited with pellet baits. The traps were then placed on the floor of the insectary containing house flies for 24 h. Out of 310 house flies trapped, maximum attraction was elicited towards FM pellets (29.35%, 91 flies) followed by FMPB (27.09%, 84 flies) and FMP pellets (25.48%, 79 flies) with least attraction towards unbaited control traps (18.06%, 56 flies).   Results revealed that in the chemotactometer bioassay, more flies were attracted towards the pellet baits with (Z)-9-tricosene (FMP) followed by FMPB and FM pellets. In the glue trap bioassay, attraction was more towards FM pellets followed by FMPB and FMP pellets. Overall, male flies were found more attracted towards FMP and FMPB pellets. Both the bioassays were found efficient to evaluate the attractiveness of pellet baits for house flies and (Z)-9-tricosene incorporated in fish meal and molasses as pellet baits can be effectively used in house fly traps to improve trap efficiency.    

Antioxidant effect of Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) was exploited in the preparation of functional chicken nuggets replacing refined wheat flour at 5% (T1), 6% (T2), 7% (T3) and 10% (T4) levels while control nuggets were prepared using Refined Wheat Flour. Antioxidant potential was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical cation decolourization assay and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power. Hunters colour analysis reflected the antioxidant effect of kodo millet in chicken nugget due to the presence of phytochemicals. Incorporation of kodo millet in chicken nuggets had enriched the antioxidant capacity by 8.26% for DPPH radical scavenging activity, 11.43% for ABTS activity, and 36.29% for FRAP activity over control.  

Placenta plays a vital role in the exchange of nutrients between the dam and fetus, ensures fetal growth and survival. Its structural and functional characteristics significantly affect the health and productivity of both calf and dam. The present study was conducted to assess the morphological characteristics of normally expelled foetal placenta and it’s association with various calf and dam parameters in the native Ongole (Bos indicus) cows. The objectives of the present study aimed to assess the morphological characteristics of foetal placenta expelled normally in Ongole cows and examine their association with various calf and dam parameters. It also evaluated the influence of factors such as calf sex, dam weight, parity and season on placental traits and expulsion duration. The study was conducted at the Livestock Research Station, Lam, Guntur, A.P, and a total of 123 placentas from normally calved animals were used. The mean values for duration of placenta expulsion, weight of placenta, number of cotyledons, overall cotyledon diameter, placental efficiency and placenta density were recorded to be 203 ± 6.5 minutes, 3.18 ± 0.06, 77.03 ± 1.32, 6.16 ± 0.06 cm, 8.38 ± 0.17 and 0.03 ± 0.004 respectively.  73.98% of placenta expelled ≥ 4hrs. The placenta weight was found to be 0.84% of dam’s weight and 12.51% of calf birth weight. The number of cotyledons differed significantly (P<0.05) between male (71.37 ± 1.44) and female (82.42 ± 1.96) births. Gravid horn constituted 68% of total number of cotyledons. The largest and smallest cotyledon size observed during the study was 11.15 ± 0.16 cm and 1.66 ± 0.07 cm, respectively. The results indicate that, while the duration of placental expulsion was affected by calf sex, the placenta weight and placental efficiency were found to be related to calf birth weight. Further, the dam weight had a significant positive correlation (P<0.05) with placenta weight (r=0.187) and cotyledon diameter (r=0.225). Parity of the dam did  not show any effect on placental characteristics. The duration of placenta expulsion (minutes) was the shortest in summer calvings (188.46 ± 24.95) follwed by winter calvings (191.67 ± 7.78) and the longest in rainy season calvings (225.83 ± 11.39).

The production performance and economic viability of Khaki Campbell ducks in backyard farming systems at NICRA-adopted flood-prone village in the Darrang district of Assam was evaluated. The study investigated key productivity metrics such as egg production, growth performance, and survival rates, in addition to economic factors like input costs, labor requirements, and market returns. The findings of the study indicated that Khaki Campbell ducks can perform well in backyard systems, with good egg production and growth rate. The mean body weight at 30 weeks of age was 1.82 kg and the average age at first egg was 163 days. Throughout the study period, the mean egg production was 185.5 and the mean mortality rate was 12.5%. The practice of backyard rearing of Khaki Campbell ducks is viable with a Benefit-Cost ratio of 2.07. The research highlighted the potential of ducks in enhancing household income and nutritional security and contributing to greater agricultural resilience against climate variability. The findings of the research contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable rural development and offers practical recommendations for similar agro-climatic regions facing the dual challenges of agricultural productivity and climate change