The dairy industry plays an important role in the economy and food security of India. A study of the dairy value chains was conducted in Punjab, India, to identify production constraints and biosecurity risks. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted during 2018–2019 with a total of 119 participants comprising veterinarians (41), paraveterinarians (15), veterinary academics (12), dairy farmers (46) and key informants (5). Input and output value chains were created, and potential risk nodes were identified that could facilitate the transmission of pathogens between animals, farms and villages. The majority of the participants were male (93%), middle-aged (68%) or worked in rural areas (75%). Most of the farmers self-cultivated their green fodder (82%), used the wheat straw from their own fields (60%) but purchased commercial feed (63%). Artificial insemination was used by 85% of farmers for cattle, but only 68% for buffaloes. Most of the farmers (76%) reported getting their animals vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease and hemorrhagic septicemia. Animals were sold and purchased without any health certification and testing in most cases. Adoption of biosecurity measures by farmers and the use of personal protective equipment by veterinary personnel were very low. We recommend conducting epidemiological studies to further characterize the identified risk nodes, training of veterinary practitioners and farmers to ensure adequate biosecurity practices and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

The rising prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in animal foods and injudicious antibiotic use in the dairy sector pose significant threats to public health. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with a strategic sample of four stakeholder groups (114 participants) associated with antibiotic usage in the dairy sector of Punjab. The FGDs were conducted among veterinarians (n = 56), para-veterinarians (n = 28), and KIIs were conducted among chemists (n = 18) and dairy quality managers (n = 12) during 2020–2021. FGDs and qualitative interviews of various stakeholders depict existing risk practices in the fields that may promote antimicrobial resistance. The present study revealed that widely prevalent quackery (treatment practices carried out by unauthorized persons without any recognized diploma/degree) and self-treatment by farmers, over-the-counter availability of antibiotics, low veterinarian per animal ratio, and lack of awareness among the society about the potential public health effects of antimicrobial resistance were the main risk factors for injudicious antibiotic use in the dairy sector. The present study involved a comprehensive approach targeting the stakeholders in the dairy sector and their reflections on judicious antimicrobial usage and antimicrobial resistance adapted to the dairy farming of Punjab. There is an urgent need for the advocation of policies that consider the specific challenges faced by the dairy sector to simultaneously improve access to veterinary services as well as strengthen antibiotic stewardship.

Livestock farming is the most proficient occupation in India and women play a very significant role in livestock farming practices in the country. A study was conducted on 160 women dairy farmers of 4 border districts namely Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Taran-Taran and Ferozepur of Punjab to ascertain their knowledge level about various practices related to dairy farming. A pretested structured questionnaire comprising questions on management, nutrition, breeding, health etc. was developed and same was filled during the personal interview with women farmers. Data so collected was analyzed descriptively to draw inference. The data revealed that majority (68.75%) of women has medium knowledge level on various recommended dairy farming practices, 13.75 has low and only 17.5% has high (17.50%) knowledge level. Further this knowledge was significantly (P<0.01) correlated with the number of labor employed, milk production, herd size, and education level. Study concluded that there is an emerged need to educate women on scientific dairy farming practices.

Purpose: This paper aims to prompt ideas amongst readers (especially librarians) about how they can become active partners in knowledge dissemination amongst concerned user groups by implementing 3D printing technology under the “Makerspace.” Design/methodology/approach: The paper provides a brief account of various tools and techniques used by veterinary and animal sciences institutions for information dissemination amongst the stakeholders and associated challenges with a focus on the use of 3D printing technology to overcome the bottlenecks. An overview of the 3D printing technology has been provided following the instances of use of this novel technology in veterinary and animal sciences. An initiative of the University Library, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, to harness the potential of this technology in disseminating information amongst livestock stakeholders has been discussed. Findings: 3D printing has the potential to enhance learning in veterinary and animal sciences by providing hands-on exposure to various anatomical structures, such as bones, organs and blood vessels, without the need for a cadaver. This approach enhances students’ spatial understanding and helps them better understand anatomical concepts. Libraries can enhance their visibility and can contribute actively to knowledge dissemination beyond traditional library services. Originality/value: The ideas about how to harness the potential of 3D printing in knowledge dissemination amongst livestock sector stakeholders have been elaborated. This promotes creativity amongst librarians enabling them to think how they can engage in knowledge dissemination thinking out of the box.

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Feral cattle problem in the country is escalating with every passing day. Evidences for their genesis, menace and remedial were collected from purposively selected dairy farmers (n-200) of Punjab. Pre-tested questionnaire cum interview schedule was used to collect the information. Qualitative data so collected were analysed descriptively. Feral cattle create nuisance and menace in every day routine (98%) besides transmitting diseases to domestic animals (81.5%). Cross-bred cattle reported as major stray cattle breed in Punjab (88%) due to their high culling rate (90.5%) owing to more reproductive problems (84%). Major reasons for abandoning cattle by dairy farmers were reproductive problems (53%) and complete cessation of milk production/senility (44.50%). Sympathy of public towards feral cows and consequently feeding them is one of the reasons for increase in population of stray cattle. They create nuisance & menace in every day routine (98%) including injuring domestic animals and human beings (73.5%), accidents, crop/property damage and transmission of diseases. Cross-bred cattle were not considered as sacred (56.5%). Gaushala (57.5%) strict laws (25%) and slaughtering (20.5%) were reported as best solutions to control stray cattle population. Government should make proper action plan to accommodate the existing feral cattle in cow shelters/gaushala besides focusing on lowering the reasons of their genesis in future.