Department of Animal Science
Date of this Version
1986
Abstract
Sri Lanka is an island in the tropics having a cattle population of about 1.7 million. In order to improve the productivity of these animals crossbreeding trials were initiated about 2-3 decades ago.
The indigenous cows were bred to bulls of Jersey, Friesian and Shorthorn breeds. Improted Zebu breeds such as Sindhi and Tharpakar were also bred to bulls of temperate breeds.
The article describes the findings of these experiments and their usefulness in formulating breeding policies for the different agroclimatic zones of the country.
Comments
Published in 3rd World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, edited by Gordon E. Dickerson and Rodger K. Johnson, 4 vols. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 1986). Copyright © 1986 Board of Regents University of Nebraska.