The Texas Saints

 Karnal : National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) located here could make major  breakthrough under field conditions in successfully obtaining highest milk production of 59 Kg. and 500 gms in a cross bred cattle that is the highest in the country in a single animal in one day said Dr. A.K. Srivastava, Director, NDRI, Karnal in a press conference organized in Village Dadupur Khurd  today.

                    Dr. A.K. Srivastava said that the scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and Dairy Cattle Breeding (DCB) Division organized on farm trial at a scientifically maintained dairy farm owned by Mr. Rajbir Singh son of Sh. Jita Ram in Village Dadupur Khurd wherein, two cross breed cattle could be produced using different genetic stock from the NDRI herd and the semen was used of pure Holstein Friesian. He added that one cow yielded 51.500 Kg. whereas the other cow produced 59.500 Kg. of milk in one day. The two cows namely Yamuna and Ganga are in age group of 3½ and 4½ years in their 2nd and 3rd lactation, respectively.

             Dr. Srivastava informed that earlier to this the best performance at NDRI hear for Karan Fries was 46.5 lits in one day (total of 8400 liter in a lactation) and for Karan Swiss, it was 44 lit/ day (7600 lit in lactation).

             Dr. Srivastava further added that the present trial of selective breeding through artificial insemination has proved that such high pedigree cross bred cattle could be produced at farmer’s door. He stressed to the farmers that to get high milk production from the cross-bred heifers they are to be adequately and scientifically fed to express their fullest genetic potential in the form of both milk production and reproduction.

 The milk recording for these two cows was carried out by two scientists of KVK on 21st and 22nd February and they could record in 24 hours that one cow yielded 59.500 Kg. milk.

             The much needed support for producing these elite cross breed cattle through Artificial Insemination the semen of high pedigree bull was arranged by Dr. A.K. Chakraborty Principal Scientist of DCB Division that was inseminated to the different mothers raised from the germ plasm of  NDRI herd.

             Mr. Rajbir Singh who earlier could get many awards in various dairy melas being very happy today told that at present he has a herd of 84 animals comprising of Sahiwal, Jersy, Tharparkar, Red Dane, Karan Swiss  and Karen Fries cattle and Murrah buffaloes. Jita Ram told that at present only 30 cows and one buffalo are in milking and the average milk production is around 710 litres per day at their farm.

Tags: Kvk, Lactation, Selective Breeding

Read Users' Comments (0)

The recent HBO mini-series John Adams depicts many historical American flags that were used during the Revolutionary War period.

These flags were early versions of the national flag and some were used by regiments during the war. For instance, in the opening credits one of the flags shown is the Culpepper flag.



This flag represented a group of about one hundred minutemen from Culpepper, Virginia. The group formed part of Colonel Patrick Henry’s First Virginia Regiment of 1775. In October-November 1775 three hundred such minutemen, led by Colonel Stevens, assembled at Culpepper Court House and marched for Williamsburg.

Their unusual dress alarmed the people as they marched through the country. The word “LIBERTY OR DEATH” were in large white letters on the breast of their hunting shirts. They had bucks’ tails in their hats and in their belts, tomahawks and scalping knives.

Another flag that is used during the show is the Grand Union flag. This flag was never offically adopted by the Continental Congress but it is widely recongnized as the first flag of the United States



This flag was an alteration of the British Meteor flag. In its blue canton was the red cross of ST. George and the white cross of ST. Andrew. The thirteen stripes signified the original colonies.

The Washington Cruisers flag is also another flag shown in the opening credits of the miniseries.



This flag was used by George Washington on his squadron of six schooners which he outfitted at his own expense in the fall of 1775. This flag was a variation of the New England Pine Tree flag. It was later modified and adopted by the Massachusetts Navy.

The Sons of Liberty would rally under a large tree, in Boston Massachusetts, which came to be known as “The Liberty Tree”. This tree became a symbol of American independence. Knowing they were up against a great military power they believed they were sustained by still a greater power, thus their “APPEAL TO HEAVEN”.

If you are interested in the history of more early American flags visit our historical flags section on our website.

Tags: Culpepper Virginia, Virginia Regiment, White Cross

Read Users' Comments (0)

Cocker Spaniels are known for being many different colors. From reds to golds to black, often with white or tan accents, every Cocker Spaniel looks a little different. This adds to the interesting and glamorous look of this particular breed. Unfortunately, only some of these colors are accepted on show dogs. If you are interested in showing your new Cocker Spaniel, you will have to be careful of which color or color combination you pick in your new puppy!

The coloring of the Cocker Spaniel coat is separated into three categories. Black, the first category, implies that the dog’s coat is completely black. Dogs with brown shading anywhere on the coat would be disqualified from this category, however, there are some variations that are allowed. A white patch on the chest is considered acceptable, but nowhere else in the coat, including paws, which are common for discoloration. “Tan points” are considered acceptable as well. Tan points are similar to the coloring of a Rottweiler or Doberman. If present, they will be on each “eyebrow”, along the jawline, beneath the ears, beneath the tail, and on the feet. Tan points can also appear on the chest or throat, but are not necessary to consider a dog as having tan points.

The second category of colors is “any solid color other than black,” often abbreviated as ASCOB. This is where the real rainbow of Cocker Spaniels comes into play. ASCOB Cockers can range from cream to gold to auburn to dark red and brown, with the brown being the only variation in which the aforementioned tan points are acceptable. As with the black category of Cocker Spaniels, a small white patch on the front of the dog is permissible, but would result in disqualification if found anywhere else on the coat.

The final category, parti-color, possesses some of the most beautiful version of this breed. Parti-color implied that the spaniel in question has a coat comprised of two distinct colors, one of which must always be white. The secondary or accent color must make up at least ten percent of the coat coloration to be considered parti-color. Acceptable accent colors to white are all included in the ASCOB category. Within the parti-color category, tan points are acceptable on any variety of fur colors.

While they are still beautiful dogs, the American Kennel Club does not recognize Cocker Spaniels with sable or merle coloring. Sable Cocker Spaniels can still be shown in Canada, but it is widely assumed that merle-coated Cocker Spaniels were cross-bred with other dogs to achieve their rare coat color, disqualifying them from pure breed competition. If planning on showing your Cocker, it is best to steer clear of sable or merle-coated dogs. However, if you are only searching for a pet, they are both beautiful options that may be less expensive than a show-quality Cocker puppy.

If you are looking to show your new pup, you must be very thorough when research a breeder. Never purchase your pet from a pet shop, even with proper documentation. Pet shops are notorious for utilizing puppy mills, and the popularity of the Cocker Spaniel in the United States has them falling victim to this despicable practice quite often. Always examine the coat of your potential new puppy thoroughly – even small signs of discoloration can grow into larger patches that will disqualify your dog from competition.

Tags: Black Dogs, Doberman, Spaniels

Read Users' Comments (0)