Frozen Semen Production

Since 1950s, we have come a long way and a number of reproductive technologies have come into regular use with noteworthy results. With frozen semen, superior gains are achieved by maintaining high genetic merit bulls at the semen stations and producing quality semen doses for AI. There is better scope of surveillance for health, biosecurity, efficient utilisation of resources and maximising production.

A professionally managed semen station that adheres strictly to the Minimum Standards Protocols (MSP) laid down and has in place adequate bio-security measures to produce disease-free semen is the nucleus of any genetic improvement programme. It produces disease-free quality frozen semen in order to ensure better fertility and faster genetic progress. It should have been graded A or B by the Central Monitoring Unit of the Government of India.

During 2019-2020, there are 56 semen stations in the country and of these, 49 semen stations are A/ B Graded by the Central Monitoring Unit of the Government of India.

NDDB Dairy Services (NDS), a wholly owned subsidiary of NDDB manages 4 mega semen stations having total annual semen production of around 37 million contributing more than 30 per cent of the total semen production of the country.

Sabarmati Ashram Gaushala, Bidaj, Ahmedabad (Gujarat)

Sabarmati Ashram Gaushala (SAG) is India’s one of the best frozen semen production station catering need of quality frozen semen doses (FSD) across the country to enhance animal productivity. Founded in 1915 by Mahatma Gandhi, SAG’s management was handed over to NDDB in 1973. It is now managed by NDDB Dairy Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of NDDB.

SAG’s semen station established in 1976 is India’s largest semen station with ISO 9001:2008 certification and has been consistently graded A by the CMU in all its evaluation. SAG’s core activities are bull production, frozen semen production, breed conservation and fodder seed production. The station maintains a diverse germplasm of exotic, crossbred and indigenous breeds of cattle and buffaloes for semen production such as Gir, Kankrej, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Khillar, Hariana, Tharparkar, Rathi, Holstein Friesian/Jersey pure and crossbred cattle breeds and the Murrah, Jaffarabadi, Banni, Pandharpuri and Mehsana buffalo breeds. SAG has excellent embryo transfer technology (ETT) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) facilities and also utilises ET technology for its bull production and breed conservation programmes.

SAG also manages Rohtak Semen.

Rohtak Semen Station, Haryana

Haryana Dairy Development Cooperative Federation Ltd. (HDDCF) handed over the management of Rohtak Semen Station (formerly known as Semen Bank cum Training Centre (SBTC)) to NDDB in September, 2009. The semen production facility has been strengthened to meet highest standards for frozen semen production. Present Semen Processing Laboratory is fully equipped with modern imported/indigenous equipment conforming to latest semen processing technology. A Quality Control laboratory has also been established.

Production of Frozen Semen Doses started in December, 2011. Fodder production operations have been strengthened. The semen station obtained grade ‘A’ in the CMU evaluation of GoI, 2012-13 and consistently maintaining the same grade.

Animal Breeding Centre, Salon, Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh

NDDB established the Animal Breeding Centre (ABC) 25 years ago, with the objective of improving the genetic quality of dairy animals in the country by disseminating superior germplasm. Today, it is a Centre of Excellence in animal breeding and production of quality semen in the country. ABC is the third largest semen station in India. Its main activity is frozen semen production, offering high quality genetics in the form of frozen semen and breeding bulls. The Centre has elite bulls of Sahiwal, Gir, Red Sindhi, Rathi, Tharparkar, Hariana, Holstein Friesian, Jersey and crossbred cattle breeds and the Murrah and Bhadawari buffalo breeds. ABC is a grade ‘A’ semen station, evaluated by CMU, GoI.

Alamadhi Semen Station, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Alamadhi semen station was set up in May 2015 by NDDB Dairy Services. The semen station has elite bulls of Gir, Tharparkar, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Holstein Friesian, Jersey and crossbred cattle breeds and Murrah buffalo breed. Alamadhi semen station is a grade ‘A’ semen station, evaluated by CMU, GoI.

Rahuri Semen Station, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra

Rahuri Semen Station was established and managed by NDDB Dairy Services since February 2016 with a view to meet the growing demand of frozen semen doses in the country. Rahuri semen station is a grade ‘A’ semen station, evaluated by CMU, GoI. The semen station have elite bull of Gir, Sahiwal, Khillar, Kankrej, Rathi, Holstein Friesian, Jersey and Holstein Friesian crossbred cattle breed and the Murrah, Jaffarabadi, Pandharpuri buffalo breeds.

Semen Stations Producing semen from Indigenous cattle breeds