Good Management Practices For Successful Dairy Farming In India
Very glad to know that with 22 percent of global production , India is the largest milk producing country with 208 millions tonnes milk production and 428 g/day per capita availability in 2021.
Quality milk produce from healthy animals using management practices by dairy farmers that are sustainable from an animal welfare , social , economics and environmental perspective employed at farm level .
Sometimes due to lack of awareness and knowledge the dairy farmers face many challenges like milk spoilage , diseases in animals (FMD, Rinderpest , Anthrax, black quarter ) etc.
For desired outcome farmers should apply good management practices –
- Nutrition (feed and water) – animals need to be fed and watered with product of suitable quality , quantity and safety . Milking cows must given an average of 1.8-2.2 % of body weight daily as DM from average quality dry roughage .
- Animal health – animals in herd which produce milk need to be healthy and a effective health care programmes should be in place .
- Hygiene – milk should be harvested and stored under hygienic condition and milking equipment should be suitable and well maintained , as milk is contaminated by harmful bacteria ,viruses or others .
- Animal welfare – animal should kept according to following 5 freedoms as it gives cow comfort , so cow energy is devoted to milk production –
. freedom from thirst , hunger and malnutrition
. freedom from discomfort
. freedom from pain , injury and disease
. freedom from fear
. freedom to engage in relatively normal pattern of animal behavior.
- Environment – milk production should be managed in balance with the local environment surrounding the farm.
Biosequirity protocols should be develop to identify and manage sources from introduced livestock , people, feed, water, and wildlife. It is always preferable to prevent the introduction of disease agent onto the farm .
- Socio-economic management – it can also help to manage the social and economic risk to the enterprise.
- Housing management – gives cow comfort and free from stressors like heat and cold stress, poor ventilation,adlibidum water is not supplemented.
- Pasture management for dairy farmers – once an improved grass-legume pasture is established it can remain productive and weed free , providing large amount of good quality feed for daily cows , bulls and young stock .
Maintain stocking rate (animal units / hectare) is most important in pasture management.
- Fertility management – to produce enough replacement , to improve dairy herd productivity . Cow must be given birth at right time to the calf .
. It’s better to provide a toll free no. to dairy farmers or some app is created by the govt. in which they get the knowledge about diseases in animals, proper vaccination schedule , how to increase milk yield , by products obtained from milk to increase profit to the dairy farmers .
. Dairy technologies may be employed which increase automation and control , lessening burden on farmer ,while ensuring reliable operation and profitability .
Identify problems and constraints – factors affecting decision making in farm . By proper identification of problems farmer get maximum profit , Some of major constraint to production and methods of minimising these constraints .
There is only a problem if farmer wants/ needs to improve
. to produce more
. make more money
. get better return from labour
. comply with law / local convention .
Conclusion – Good management help production of good and quality products including milk , cheese , yoghurt and to improve social and economic status including earning of income .
Bhupika Dewangan
1 – 3rd year B.V.Sc. & A.H.
2 – College of Veterinary Science & Animal husbandry , Anjora , Durg , Chhattisgarh .
