Directorate of Extension Education, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana in collaboration with ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBAGR) organized one week training program on “Breeding Specialization for Judging Various Animal Events” to skill veterinary officers of Punjab state. Livestock championship is a way to encourage farmers for conservation and breed improvement which demands experts skilled in judging. There was a long felt need to train the veterinarians in the aspects of judging and evaluating the livestock for its productivity and purity. Department of Animal Husbandry, Punjab is organizing livestock championship at district level followed by National Livestock Championship. So judging of different animals in different categories is of utmost importance to declare the ‘Right winner’ by selecting/judging ‘Right animal’, which then becomes a champion animal and is showcased by farmers at different places for motivating the masses.
To provide the basic cum practical skills in relation to judging of animals for the field vets, 25 veterinary officers from different parts of the Punjab were trained in this training. Dr. H.K. Verma, Director Extension Education, GADVASU informed that experts from College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences and National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) delivered expert lectures on various topic viz characteristics of breeds, body condition score, judging of animals & their preparation for shows in cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, pig, horse, dogs and poultry under different categories including practical training. This type of training was first time conducted by the vet-varsity. Dr. P.K. Singh, Principal Scientist, ICAR-NBAGR, Karnal and Technical coordinator said that iden
tification of livestock breeds and judging of animals are the major points to select best animal. During interaction session it was stressed that there is a need of unbiased and in-depth knowledge among the judges while judging of livestock events. Dr. Verma appreciated the enthusiasm of the trainees for devoting their undivided attention to the lectures in this training. Further, he added that Directorate of Extension Education, GADVASU will be trying its best to organize such type of training in future also as feedback received from the trainees to conduct training program with respect to species specific judging. The training program was sponsored by Punjab state Veterinary Council, Mohali. Dr. R.K. Sharma and Dr. Y.S. Jadoun acted as course-coordinators of the training program.
