The Madras Government in 1950 started this station under the post-war development scheme of Animal Husbandry department with office at Perinthal-manna. This was transferred to the Animal Hus-bandry Department of Government of Kerala in 1956 which was later handed over to the KAU in February 1972. It was redesignated as Livestock Research Station on 14.08.78. The station has an area of 163.3 ha.

The major objective of the centre is to conduct research work on scientific breeding of livestock and its management, and fodder production. From 1983, a unit of the AICRP on Agroforestry with the main objective of collection, screening and selection of promising germ plasm of indigenous and exotic species of trees from similar ecological regions is functioning.

• Basic data on the prodction and reproduction traits of crossbred dairy cattle have been generated and recorded for selection of superior performing animals, so as to maintain an elite herd. The farm maintains crossbreeds of Holstein, Jersey and Swiss Brown breeds, maintaining the exotic gene level at 50%. The farm has an average herd strength of 274.

• The AICRP on Agro-forestry has also generated useful findings.