VET DEPT PRODUCES HIGH-YIELD CROSSBRED COWS

PASIR PUTEH (Malaysia), Feb 3 (Bernama) -- The northeastern state of
Kelantan Veterinary Services Department has produced crossbred cows, Mafriwal
(Malaysian Friesian Sahiwal) which are able to withstand warm weather and
produce more milk than indigenous cows.

Its director, Dr Zairi Serlan said the crossbred cows were produced
through the artificial insemination of Friesian, cold-weather cows and Sahiwal,
warm-weather cows.

"The crossbreeding project started in 1980s. Mafriwal are black and white
polka dot, black or red in colour," he told reporters after accompanying
Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed, who visited
the Sungai Durian Feedlot Husbandry in this northeastern town Monday.

"Friesian are high-yield cows but they could not withstand our warm weather.
They are crossbred with the low yield Sahiwal and the results overwhelmed us,"
he said.

Dr Zairi said the crossbred cows recorded a speedy growth as they started
producing milk when they were six months and developed high resistance against
diseases.

On the Sungai Durian Feedlot Husbandry, he said the 60-ha project produced
354,000 litres of milk worth RM531,000 yearly from 75 of 144 cows. (US$1=RM3.61)

"We have five participants at present and we need more people to join the
husbandry to meet high demand for milk," he said.
-- BERNAMA