Wed Dec 25 14:17:38 UTC 2024: ## Karnataka Livestock Centre Wins National Breed Conservation Award

**Bidar, Karnataka, December 26, 2024** – The Livestock Research and Information Centre for the Deoni breed of cattle, based in Bidar, Karnataka, has been awarded the prestigious National Breed Conservation Award 2024. The award, presented on National Farmers Day at the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources in Karnal, Haryana, recognizes the centre’s dedication to preserving and improving this unique cattle breed.

Dr. B.V. Shivaprakash, Director of Research at KVAFSU, and Dr. Prakash Kumar Rathod, Associate Professor and Head of the Centre, accepted the award on behalf of the institution. KVAFSU Vice-Chancellor K.C. Veeranna lauded the centre’s staff for their dedication and innovative work.

The Deoni breed, known for its drought resistance, heat tolerance, and suitability for semi-intensive cultivation, has been conserved and developed by the centre since its establishment in 1970. The centre boasts extensive facilities, including modern housing and a 30-acre green fodder cultivation area, promoting sustainable livestock practices. A fodder museum showcasing 35 fodder varieties further aids the farming community.

The centre’s efforts have also resulted in the production of approximately 2.80 lakh frozen semen doses from genetically superior Deoni bulls, distributed to various government semen production stations in Karnataka and Maharashtra. Over 300 animals have been auctioned in the last decade, benefiting local farmers. The breeding stock is regularly updated through the purchase of elite animals. This comprehensive approach to conservation has earned the centre national recognition for its significant contribution to preserving India’s agricultural heritage.

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