::UVAS::

Department of Livestock Production was established in the Faculty of Animal Production & Technology when the College of Veterinary Sciences Lahore was upgraded to the status of an independent University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. This university is the only in the country exclusively engaged in imparting education in the fields of veterinary and animal sciences. The department of Livestock Production is actively engaged in imparting education and hands on training in the fields of molecular genetics, quantitative genetics, and management of various species of livestock especially large and small ruminants. The department offers courses on breeding and genetics and livestock production / management at undergraduate (D.V.M.) and post graduate level (M.Phil. & Ph.D.). The department offers postgraduate degree programs i.e. M.Phil. and Ph.D. in the disciplines of Animal Breeding and Genetics and Livestock Management.

Principal Equipment	Salient Facilities/Services
Gel Apparatus Centrifuge Machine Compound Microscope	DNA Extraction, DNA Quantification, PCR reaction preparation,PCR product Cleaning, Primer Designing, DNA Sequencing data alignment, BLAST, Chromosomal Morphology & Dys-Morphology Screening

Courses Offered

Undergraduate:

DVM

Course Code	Course Title	Credit Hours
LPRO 105	Livestock management and housing	3(2-2)
LPRO 205	Animal genetics and population genetics	4(3-2)
LPRO 307	Animal breeding plans and policies	3(2-2)
LPRO 507	Buffalo and cattle production	3(2-2)
LPRO 603	Sheep and goat production	2(1-2)
LPRO 706	Camel and equine production	2(1-2)
LPRO 807	Livestock operations	5(1-8)

Post Graduate:

Animal Breeding and Genetics (M.Phil and Ph.D)

Course Code	Course Title	Credit Hours
ANBG-1001	General Genetics	4(3-2)
ANBG-1002	Population Genetics	4(3-2)
ANBG-1003	Animal Breeding Plans	3(2-2)
ANBG-1004	Breeding of farm Animals	4(3-2)
ANBG-1005	Statistical Methods in Animal Production Research	4(3-2)
ANBG-1006	Farm Animals Reproductive Efficiency	4(3-2)
ANBG-1007	Biometrical Genetics	4(3-2)
ANBG-1008	Genetic Basis of Selection	4(4-0)
ANBG-1009	Genetic Aspects of Inbreeding	4(3-2)
ANBG-1010	Techniques in Population Genetics	3(2-2)
ANBG-1011	Molecular Genetics	4(3-2)
ANBG-1012	Genetic Aspects of Avian Breeding	3(2-2)
ANBG-1013	Genetic Aspect of Fish Breeding	3(3-0)
ANBG-1014	Recent Advances in Animal Breeding	3(3-0)
ANBG-1019	Special Problem	1(0-2)
ANBG-1020	Seminar	1(1-0)

Livestock Management (M.Phil and Ph.D)

Course Code	Course Title	Credit Hours
LSMG-1001	Dairy Production	4(3-2)
LSMG-1002	Lactation Biology	4(3-2)
LSMG-1003	Behavior and Welfare of Farm Animals	4(3-2)
LSMG-1004	Commercial Livestock Production	4(3-2)
LSMG-1005	Livestock Production in the Tropics	4(3-2)
LSMG-1006	Livestock Production on Ranges and Pastures	3(2-2)
LSMG-1007	Management of Draught Animals	3(2-2)
LSMG-1008	Meat Production	4(3-2)
LSMG-1009	Small Ruminants Production	4(3-2)
LSMG-1010	Animal Fiber Science	4(3-2)
LSMG-1011	Livestock Production Trends and Potential	4(4-0)
LSMG-1012	Recent Advances in Livestock Management	3(3-0)
LSMG-1019	Special Problem	1(0-2)
LSMG-1020	Seminar	1(1-0)

LA class:

Course Code	Course Title	Credit Hours
LAD-201	Animal Breeding and Genetics
LAD-204	Livestock Management

NavTec:

Course Code	Course Title	Credit Hours
1	Dairy Herd Management
2	Beef Production and Technology

Projects:

1 Ongoing Development projects

Establishment of Poultry and Dairy Animals Training and Research Center, at UVAS, New Campus, Pattoki (432.00 millions)
Establishment of Small Ruminants Training and Research Center, at UVAS, New Campus, Pattoki (38.05 millions)

2 Submitted Development Projects

Biotechnology Institute for Research and Development (BIRD) at New Campus Pattoki, (500.00 millions)

3 Research projects
Completed

Collection of blood samples and DNA Extraction from Sheep breeds of the Punjab. (University Research Fund)
Collection of blood samples and DNA Extraction from Goat breeds of the Punjab. (University Research Fund)
Detection of Polymorphism of Prion Protein gene in nine breeds of sheep of Pakistan.
Genetic differences of Bos indicus, Bos taurus and Bubalus bubalis at PRKA gene
Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection of Prion protein gene in five Goat breeds of Punjab.
Developed SOFTBOS-a Management Information System for cattle and buffalo
Developed SOFTGEEP-a Management Information System for sheep and goat
Development of SOFTFIZIBLE for dairy, beef and mutton industry for feasibility reports.

In Progress

Genetic identification of Pakistani Buffalo and Dairy cattle breeds by analysis of mitochondrial D-loop region (University Research Fund)
Effect of group size on the production performance of NiliRavi calves. (M.Phil thesis research)
Effect of types of floor and bedding on growth performance of Sahiwal calves. (M.Phil thesis research)
Genetic diversity of Pakistani Sheep and Goat breeds by analysis of Mitochondrial D-loop region (HEC, 6.00 millions)
Identification of molecular markers for fecundity in Goat breeds of Pakistan (ALP, 9.75 millions)

Future Projects Planned:

Phenotypic and genetic characterization of native breeds of Caprine and Ovine species in Punjab (ALP, 9.00 millions)
Microclimatic modifications and molecular basis for breeding performance to increase summer milk production in Buffalo (Pak-US joint, 5.00 millions)
Feeding management for optimum growth, early maturity and first lactation performance in Sahiwal cattle (ALP, 6.671 millions)
Phenotypic characterization of sheep breeds of the Punjab. (M.Phil Thesis research)

Faculty Development / Training Programs

Nil

Books Published

Feed and Fodder (1995)
World Food Day (1996)
Application of Molecular Biology Tools for the Improvement of Livestock (2007)
Livestock Resources of Pakistan (2008)

HEC Approved Supervisors

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Abdullah
Prof. Dr. Masroor Ellahi Baber
Dr. Ahmad Ali

Seminars, Workshops or Conferences

Impact of global change on the availability of fodder and forage and performance of livestock in South Asia. 15-16 December, 2005
Application of molecular biology tools for the improvement of livestock. 14-16, December, 2006.

Research Publications

Akhtar, P., M. Abdullah, M. Younas and M. A. Mirza. 2007. Heritability estimates of some growth traits of Hissardale sheep in Pakistan. Indian J. Anim. Sci. 77(2):181-183. (Impact Factor 0.09)
Sajid, I. A., M. E. Babar and K. Javed (2007). Genetic diversity of Nili-Ravi from Nili and Ravi Buffalo breeds of Pakistan. VIII Buffalo Congress, Caserta-Italy.
Babar, M. E., F. Hussain, M. Abdullah, Q. Khan,J. Ahmad, A. Nadeem and B. F. Benkel (2006). Genetic variability at seven codons of the prion protein gene in nine sheep breeds of Pakistan. 30th International conference on Animal Genetics, August 20-25, 2006, Porto Seguro, Brazil.
Babar, M.E., F. Hussain, B.F. Benkel, Q. Khan, J. Ahmad and A. Nadeem (2006). Genetic variability at eight codons of the PrP gene in nine sheep breeds of Pakistan. 8th World Congress on Genetic Applied to Livestock Production. August 13-18, 2006, Delo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Ahmad, M., J.A. Bhatti, M. Abdullah and M.Q Shahid (2006). Effect of bovine somatotropic (bST) hormone on feed intake and production performance in Nili-Ravi buffaloes. Proc. of XII AAAP congress, September 18-22, 2006, BEXCO, Busan, Korea.
Babar, M.E., H. Farid, B.F. Benkel, M. Abdullah, I.A. Sajid, A. Nadeem and T. Hussain (2007). Evaluation of AMPK genes as candidates for production traits in buffalo breeds of Pakistan. VIII World Buffalo Congress, Caserta, Italy.
Ahmad, I., M.A. Jabbar, T.N. Pasha and M. Abdullah (2007). Milk yield and nutrient utilization in Nili-Ravi buffaloes administered bovine somatotropic hormone. Indian J. Anim. Sci., 2007.
Sajid, I.A., K, Javed and N. Ahmed (2006). Phylogenetic relationships among three buffalo breeds of the Punjab-Pakistan. Proceedings of 34th Pakistan International SAARC Countries Science Conference. 20-22 February.
Jaffar, S.S., K. Javed and T.E. Lodhi (2006). An evaluation of micro credit schemes of small and medium enterprise development authority (SMEDA). J. Anim. Plant Sci. 16 (3-4): 111-113.
Hussain, Z., K Javed, S.M. I Hussain and G.S. Kiyani (2006). Some Environmental Effects on Productive Performance of Nili-Ravi Buffaloes in Azad Kashmir. J. Anim. Plant Sci. 16 (3-4): 66-69.
Hussain, Z., K. Javed, S.M. I Hussain and G.S. Kiyani (2006). Reproductive Performance of Nili-Ravi Buffaloes in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. J. Anim. Plant Sci. 16 (1-2): 7-9

Invited Lectures

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Abdullah delivered a lecture as invited speaker at Seminar on Nutrition and Management of Dairy Cows and Buffaloes organized by US Soybean Export Council Inc.,
Hotel Marriot, Karachi on June 22, 23 – 2007.
Dr. Khalid Javed, presented a paper on “Estimated Breeding Values and Genetic Trend in a pure bred herd of Holstein Friesian cattle in Punjab Province of Pakistan” at National Research Conference organized by University of South Asia at Holiday Inn Lahore on 29.06.2007

New Academic Department Programs Planned

Courses for the new degree programs of B.Sc. (Hons.) Dairy Sciences & Technology and
B.Sc. (Hons.) Bioinformatics have been developed and ready to be sent to university statutory bodies for approval.
Department has also prepared draft copies of books on Animal Breeding and Genetics and Livestock Management for Livestock Assistant Diploma course. The department also offering two courses for Livestock Assistant diploma course and one short course “Dairy Herd Management” under NAVTEC.

Measures taken to Enhance Academics

Molecular Cytogenetics and Genomics Lab. has been established in the department. Work on breed identification on genomic level using Mitochondrial D-loop Region for various breeds of buffalo, cattle, sheep and goats is in progress. Whereas work on prion protein gene, PRKA gene and parentage analysis (forensic cases) is also underway.
Recently the department has established a Small Ruminants Training and Research Center, Pattoki. This center will be helpful in hands on training and research on different aspects of sheep and goats production for under and post graduate students of the university.
The department organized a workshop on “Application of Molecular biology tools for the Improvement of Livestock” Twenty researchers from different departments of the university as well as other institutions from all over the province like Veterinary Research Institute Lahore, Barani Livestock Production Research Institute, Kheri Murat, Attock, Buffalo Research Institute Pattoki, Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore, K.E. Medical University, Lahore and Directorate of Small Ruminants, Multan participated in this workshop. The department also provided hands on training to the participants of “Teachers Orientation Program” organized by the university.
The department has also won a development project “Establishment of Poultry & Dairy Animals Training and Research Center Pattoki, worth of Rs. 432 millions. On completion of this project. Training and Research facilities will be available to undergraduate and postgraduate students of this department as well as other departments.
Another project “Integrated Biotechnology” is also underway. The major components of the institute will be nutrition and reproductive biotechnology, genomic and recombinant DNA technology etc.
The department has also won projects from PARC under ALP program and HEC, worth Rs. 12.50 million. Whereas the department has submitted two projects to ALP which are under active consideration for approval and one under PAK_US Joint Academic and Research project titled “Discovery of Genetic Variation that enhances improvement of dairy production and health in cattle and buffaloes”.
Two software for livestock performance data recording and their manipulation for large and small ruminants have been developed. Also soft wares for preparing feasibility reports for different livestock farms under different management conditions have also been developed.

Research Priorities

Development and evaluation of high yielding fodder/forage and establishment of viable grazing management system.
Studies on improved breeding, feeding, housing and reproduction management to maximize livestock production.
Characterization, conservation and genetic evaluation of farm animals through conventional and biotechnological techniques.