Cattle & Buffalo Development 

Indigenous cows ( non descript local) are being upgraded by cross breeding programme by crossing with Jersey and Holstein bulls so that the optimum level of germ plasm is maintained. The artificial insemination by frozen semen technology is being adopted in cows and buffaloes. Five Cattle Farms located at Bhangrotu (Mandi), Kothipura ( Bilaspur ), Kamand (Mandi), Palampur ( Kangra ) and Suni ( Shimla ) are being run by the department to produce genetically superior breeding bulls. These bulls are used for semen straw production at sperm station of the Department at Palampur ( Kangra ) .

Artificial insemination facility is being provided from 1517 Veterinary Institutions in the State. In the remote areas where it is not possible to introduce artificial insemination technique, the natural service with improved breed of bulls is being carried out. To give boost to cross breeding programme Government has formed “HP Livestock Development Board”. The Government of India has approved grant-in-aid amounting to Rs.12.75 Crores for State Government for three years. This grant-in-aid is being spent on strengthening of Artificial Insemination facilities in the State. The department is planning to provide 100% coverage of breedable cattle and buffaloes mainly through Artificial Insemination.

Castration of indigenous bulls is also being undertaken by the Department so that more and more cattle are covered under Artificial Insemination programme .

According to breeding policy of the State inheritance of exotic blood i.e. Jersey/Holstein is to be kept at 50% and remaining 50% inheritance will be contributed by Pahari /Hilly cattle. This policy will ensure the benefit of higher milk production potential of exotic breeds and as well as disease resistance and hardiness traits of Hilly and Pahari Cattle to farmers of the State./ Due to adoption of Artificial insemination programme by people the milk production has increased to 7.96 lakh tones in 2003-04

where as it was only 5.96 lakh tones a decade before.

1. Demonstration and Training to farmers regarding scientific rearing of livestock is also provided in farms of Department.

2. Surplus bulls from Cattle Breeding Farms are being supplied for natural service in remote area of the State.

3. Surplus cows are also sold from these farms to the interested farmers.