COVAS, Udgir - Livestock Farm Complex

Staff Position

Post	Sanctioned	Filled in	Vacant
Deputy Director Research	01	00	01
Subject Matter Specialist (Animal Genetics and Breeding)	01	01	00
Subject Matter Specialist (Animal Health)	01	00	01
Subject Matter Specialist (Animal Nutrition)	01	00	01
Research Assistant	01	00	01
Agri. Assistant	02	00	02
Senior Clerk	01	00	01
Junior Clerk	02	00	02
Driver	01	00	01
Peon	02	00	02
Animal Attendant	10	00	09
Watchman	02	00	02
Labour	04	00	04
Total	29	01	28

Livestock Strength

Species	Adult (Above 3 yrs)		Above 1 year but below 3 yrs		Below 1 year		Total
Species	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Total
Cattle	3	31	11	14	11	19	89
Buffalo	2	29	14	23	11	12	91
Goat	01	10	02	48	27	24	112
Sheep	0	0	03	04	01	03	11

Infrastructure

Land at Farm

Total Available Land Udgir - 612.5 Acre

Sunegaon - 187.5 Acre

Area Under Cultivation Udgir - 92.5 Acre

Sunegaon - 20.0 Acre

Cultivable Land (92.5 Acres)

Irrigated Land 40 Acres

Non-Irrigated Land 25 Acres

Ramana / Grass Land 27.5 Acres

Total 92.5 Acres

Irrigated Land (40 Acres)

Maldandi 7.0

DHN-6 1.0

BNH-10 2.5

BNH-11 5.0

Super Napier 5.0

Dasharath 0.5

Fodder Cafeteria 2.0

MegaSweet 2.0

Cowpea 1.5

Fodder Varieties

Moringa Piwali Jowar Maize MegaSweet Cowpea DHN-6 BNH-10 BNH-11 Gunwant CO-5 Super Napier Dasharath

Fodder Production (in Tons): (FY 2024-25)

Period	Crop / Variety	Cultivated Area	Production (T)
Kharip	Piwali Jowar	25 (17.0)	80.0 (66.3) (Dry Kadabi)
Kharip	Cowpea (Rotational)	6.5 (10.0)	60.0 (100.0) (Green)
Kharip	Soyabean	13.0 (10.0)	30.00 (Straw)
Throughout Year	Dhasharath	0.5 (4.0)	0.5 (50.0) (Green)
Rabbi	Maldandi Jawar	11.0 (10.0)	55.0 (Dry)
Throughout Year	MegaSweet	7.5 (3.0)	165.0 (70.0) (Green)
Throughout Year	DHN6 + BHN10 + BHN11 + Super Napier	17.0 (17.5)	590.0 (561.0)
Throughout Year	Fodder Cafeteria (Different varieties)	1.0 (1.0)	2.90 (3.0)
Rabbi	Harbara	1.5	0.1 (Straw)
Kharip	Maize	3.5	0.9 (Dry)
Kharip	Soyabean	13.0 (10.0)	8.30 (4.50)
Kharip	Maize	3.5	7.65
Rabbi	Maldandi Jawar	16.0 (10.0)	8.6
Rabbi	Harbara	1.5	3.0

Seed Rate

Maize 75 kg/Hector

Production 25 Ton/Hector

Cowpea 18.75 kg/Hector

Production (Mixed)

Multicut Jawar (SSG) 40 kg/Hector

Production 22 Ton/Hector

Information about Various Units

Deoni Unit

The farm is involved in conservation, improvement and advancement of Deoni cattle through selective breeding.
All production and reproduction related traits are recorded.
The farm animals are used for conducting UG and PG practical demonstrations as well as research activities of various disciplines.
The superior germplasm is supplied in the surrounding areas for improvement of the breed.

Marathwadi & Graded Murrah Buffalo Unit

Marathwadi and Murrah buffaloes are maintained for conducting UG and PG practical demonstrations.
The animals are also utilized for research activities of various disciplines.

Sheep and Goat Unit

Deccani sheep and Osmanabadi goats are maintained for UG and PG practical demonstrations.
The farm is actively involved in the conservation and improvement of these species.

Green Fodder Unit

Different perennial grasses and fodder crops are cultivated.
Major fodder varieties include Jaywant, DHN-6 (Dharwad Napier), Lucern, African Tall Maize, Multicut Jawar and Piwali Jowar.

Vermicomposting Unit

The vermicomposting unit processes farm waste into nutrient-rich organic manure.
It serves as a demonstration unit for visiting farmers.
Farmers from nearby areas regularly visit the unit to understand the procedure, benefits and practical implementation of vermicomposting.

Azolla Production Unit

Established to produce Azolla as a supplementary feed, particularly for sheep and goats.
Azolla is rich in proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals.

NADEP Compost Unit

Developed as a demonstration unit for farmers and students to promote compost preparation techniques.

Natural Farming Plot

A 1.5-acre natural farming plot has been established for demonstration and research purposes.
Chemical-free farming practices are promoted using organic manures, bio-fertilizers and on-farm preparations.
The plot helps improve soil health, crop productivity and biodiversity.
It serves as a learning platform for farmers, students and researchers to study eco-friendly farming practices and sustainable agriculture.

Agricultural Farm, Sunegaon

The Sunegaon Farm, located about 8 km from Ahmedpur in Latur district, comprises approximately 75 hectares of land, including 10 hectares of irrigated land. The remaining area consists of barren, non-irrigated and hilly land. The farm is utilized for agricultural research, demonstrations and practical training activities.

Education and Training

Surplus animals are supplied to farmers through annual auction.
Farm animals are routinely provided to UG & PG students for their practical purposes.
Facilities are provided to PG students of various departments of the college.
Farmers' training programmes are conducted regularly.
Developed fodder cafeteria, backyard poultry unit, rabbit unit, geese unit, Azolla ponds, vermicomposting unit and natural farming plot for demonstrations to farmers and students.
Farm animals are provided to PG students to complete their research trials and are also utilized for various college research projects.
Extension activities such as demonstrations, training programmes, etc. are conducted regularly.
Farm facilities are routinely used for UG and PG practicals.

Research Achievements

Filed FOUR Patents for design as follows:
- Animal Restraining and unlocking Clamp for animals rescue during disaster
- Zebra-Stripes EcoWrap: Insect Repellent for Livestock
- PetNose-AI: Electronic Nose device for disease diagnosis in Pets
- SolarGlow: A Solar-Powered Safety Collar for Stray Animals
Research Project Sponsored by Department of Science and Technology, (Science and Engineering Research Board), New Delhi on "Characterization and Evaluation of Non-descript Goat Population of Marathwada and Western Maharashtra" worth of Rs. 25.70 Lakhs has been completed in the year 2021 and new goat breed named as "Udgiri goat" is proposed for recognition. The non-descript goat population, predominantly distributed in the Marathwada region, is well adapted to harsh climatic conditions and is proposed to be recognized as the "Udgiri goat" (उदगिरी शेळी). Udgiri goats show distinct phenotypic traits such as black and white coat pattern, backward horns, pendulous ears, strong legs, and tough hooves, with dense populations in Latur, Parbhani, and Beed districts. They possess higher average body weight than other recognized goat breeds of Maharashtra, while milk production and reproductive traits are comparable to existing breeds. Genetic analysis revealed high diversity and polymorphism, supporting its uniqueness and potential recognition as a new goat genetic resource for conservation and improvement in drought-prone regions.
Research Project entitled as "Polymorphism Study on Tyrosinase Gene Responsible for Partial Albinism in Deoni Cattle" funded by MAFSU Research grant worth Rs. 2.00 Lakhs has been completed in the year 2021 and the silent finding were published in international journal with NAAS rating 8.28. The BMP4 gene in Osmanabadi goats showed a monomorphic pattern with no detectable SNPs in sequencing and PCR-RFLP analysis. Only homozygous AA and BB genotypes were observed, with non-significant differences in genotypic frequencies across horned, polled, single-birth, and multiple-birth goats. BLAST analysis revealed very high sequence homology with Capra hircus, Bos taurus, Bubalus bubalis, and Ovis aries. Higher BMP4 expression was observed in multiple-birth and polled goats, though differences were not statistically significant, indicating the need for larger studies.
Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission, Govt. of Maharashtra funded research project sanctioned entitled "Artificial Intelligence in breed identification and live body weight prediction in cattle breeds of Maharashtra" worth of Rs. 39.90 lakhs during 2023-2025 which is ongoing. The research findings successfully developed and validation of a highly accurate, non-invasive, and automated system for the early detection of disease in dairy cows.
Established research laboratory at farm under the funding from Department of Science and Technology, (Science and Engineering Research Board), New Delhi funded project to carry out various molecular research work.
New goat breed named as "UDGIRI" identified and proposal sent for registration to NBAGR, Karnal under DST project.
New Donkey breed named as "GODATHADI" identified and proposal sent for registration to NBAGR, Karnal.
New Dog breed named as "CARVAN" identified and proposal sent for registration to NBAGR, Karnal.

Extension Achievements

Developed fodder cafeteria for the first time in the university with 24 different fodder plants for demonstration/extension of fodder plots and propagation/distribution to the farmers.
Organized two SMART Trainings for women participants on Scientific Goat Farming during 7^th–21^st March 2024 and 03^rd–17^th March 2025.
Organized One-day Farmer–Scientist Meet on "Entrepreneurial Skill Development through Scientific Goat Farming" at Kitwat, District Nanded on 9^th March 2025.
Extension activities (demonstration, trainings, etc.) are regularly being conducted.
Regularly distributed fodder stumps to farmers.
Developed demonstration units of Azolla, urea treatment on low-quality fodder, vermicomposting and NADEP composting units at the farm.
Stumps of DHN-6, Dharwad Napier, BHN-10 & BHN-11, Super Napier, Azolla culture and vermi-compost are regularly supplied to farmers.

Education Facilities

Farm animals are provided to PG students to complete their research trials. A number of research projects have also been completed by the college staff.
Farm facilities are routinely used for UG and PG practicals.
Demonstrations are conducted for farmers and field veterinarians.
Conservation and improvement of Marathwadi buffalo are being undertaken through the Marathwadi Buffalo Research Project.

Farm Practices

Following are the routine farm practices being performed at Livestock Farm Complex:

Sr. No.	Time	Activity
1	4:00 AM	Preparation for milking of Animals
2	4:30–5:30 AM	Feeding of concentrate while milking
3	5:30–5:45 AM	Packaging of milk
4	5:45–6:00 AM	Dispatch of packed milk
5	6:00–6:30 AM	Feeding of dry fodder
6	7:30–8:00 AM	Identification, Isolation & Treatment of Sick Animals
7	8:00 AM	Leaving animals for grazing
8	8:00 AM – 3:00 PM	Farm activities include cleaning of animal sheds.
		Feeding of young and sick animals retained in sheds.
		Feed processing such as chopping and feed formulation.
		Arrangement of feed and water in animal sheds.
		Special work such as deworming, identification of young animals, weighing of young animals and daily posting of data in records.
		Preparation of Azolla ponds and its maintenance.
9	Up to 3:30 PM	Arrival of animals at the Farm.
10	3:30–4:30 PM	Feeding of animals
11	4:30–5:15 PM	Feeding of concentrate while milking of animals
12	5:15–6:00 PM	Packaging of milk
13	6:00 PM	Dispatch of packed milk Counting of animals Feeding of chopped green & dry fodder to the animals

Faculty

Gallery

Molecular Laboratory

Residential Facility for Farmers

Biogas Unit

Fodder Unit

ILFC Campus

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Deccani Female 1

Goup Photo

Osmanabadi Goat 2

Celebration of Clean Milk Day-2025 & National Farmer's Day Celebration

One-day Farmer- Scientist Meet on “Entrepreneurial Skill Development through Scientific Goat Farming"

Maize Production October 2025

SMART Trainings for Women Participants on Scientific Goat Farming during 7th -21st March-2024 and 03-17th March -2025

Large scale Silage Preparation

Breed Registration: Udgiri goat

The Udgiri goat is predominantly distributed in the Marathwada region with dense populations in Latur, Parbhani, and Beed districts. It has a distinct black-and-white phenotype with pendulous ears, backward-curved horns, strong legs, smooth coat, and tough hooves. The breed shows higher body weights than other recognized Maharashtra goat breeds, with adult males and females averaging 42.77 kg and 32.98 kg, respectively. Milk production and reproductive traits, including lactation yield, fat, SNF, age at maturity, and litter size, are comparable to other recognized goat breeds of the state. Overall, the Udgiri goat demonstrates robust growth, satisfactory productivity, and good adaptability to local agro-climatic conditions.

Breed Registration: Caravan Dog

Caravan Dog is observed in six body coat colours, i.e. fawn, brindle, grey, black, brown and creamy white with slender athletic body structure which enhances high speed endurance for hunting and chasing purposes. Long tail indicates good hounding behaviour for maintaining balance while racing and chasing. Maximum proportion of dog owners kept Caravan dog for guarding/hunting/hobby purpose. Caravan is one of the best hound dog possessing all standard morphometric characters pertaining to best hounding abilities.

Livestock Farm Complex

Objectives