GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR SUCCESSFUL DAIRY FARMING IN INDIA
“Future is created by what you do today not tomorrow.”
Success is the progressive realisation of pre-determined worthwhile goals. Meanwhile, laziness appears attractive but its consequences are bitter. Lets put some light on the above statement. Heretofore, there was a dairy farmer named Ram having couple of cows and a bull which he had purchased in healthy state. The farmer was very happy with the response that they gave in the form of their milk both in terms of quantity and quality. His financial condition was improving day by day. The family was very happy with their new standard of living. During that time frame, the farmer became negligent and slothful. He saturated most of his times in tranquilizing. As the time passed by, slowly and gingerly the health of the cattle detoriated day by day but still their health was not in his priority list. Henceforth, the grade and volume of milk decreased detrimentally. A day came when they stopped giving milk and the financial condition of the farmer started decreasing at an increasing rate. Then a day came when there was no option left with the farmer other than to sell them. On his way to sell, he stopped under the tree and sat in a melancholy state. At a distance his friend, Shyam, who was also a dairy farmer was passing by when he saw his friend sitting and mourning under the tree. He ran towards him and asked the reason for his wistful state. Ram told his whole condition to Shyam. Thereafter, he sat down and told him not to worry. Ram still weeping asked how. To which, Shyam replied, “UNORGANISED MANAGEMENT” is the only root cause of his present condition and added:
“A key to achieve success is to assemble a strong and stable management system.”
Additionally, Shyam also gave him detailed explanation with relevant exemplification and facts to do away with the problem which were:
The literal meaning of “Management” is the art of getting things done. It is a process of planning, decision making, motivation and controlling the human resources, financial, physical and information resources of an organisation to reach its goal efficiently and effectively.
With an annual production of 198.4 million tonnes during 2019-20, India continues to be ranked number one in the world in milk production since 1997. Compared to 2018-19, it has increased by 5.70 percent according to the government data. It has been growing by 35.61% during the last six years. Milk production in India has increased from 146.3 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 198.4 million tonnes in 2019-20. The per capita availability of milk was 407 grams per day in 2019-20. Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab continued to be the major milk producing states. It also added that as per a study on the demand for milk conducted by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), the estimated demand for 2030 at an all India level is 266.5 million metric tonnes for milk and milk products. The rural sector has an estimated share of 57 per cent in the total consumption. The per capita consumption in the urban areas (592 ml) remains higher than the rural areas (404 ml) even in the 2030 projections. Several measures have been initiated by the government to increase the productivity of livestock, which has resulted in increasing the milk production significantly.
Dairying is the main source of livelihood for our milk producers, majority of them either landless or marginal farmers. For making dairying a profitable and, sustainable venture, it is important for the dairy farmer to adopt scientific practices that would lead to increased productivity at optimum costs. For this to happen, the farmer should be aware of the basic tenets of animal health, breeding and feeding. The National Dairy Plan-I (NDP-I) has been launched by the GoI with the aim to double milk production in the country. This would require focused efforts in the field of breeding, feeding and animal health, which would increase productivity and optimize costs. In breeding, coverage of artificial insemination (AI) needs to be increased using disease free semen from high genetic merit bulls. There is also an urgent need to optimize the utilization of feed resources in order to reduce the cost of milk production through balancing the ration of animals. More importantly, preventive measures to control occurrence of diseases need to be put in place, which is pivotal in harnessing the full production potential of the animal.
Animal health plays an important role in harnessing the expected production potential of dairy animals. A diseased animal cannot perform to the expected level. Timely intervention is therefore pivotal in reducing the economic losses due to diseases. Improvement of breeds is also the need of the hour and the farmer needs to be made aware of various aspects of breeding to be an active participant of breed improvement programmes.
THESE ARE THE SEVEN QUESTIONS TO JUDGE AN ANIMAL’S HEALTH:
- Does the animal react normally to its environment and in the herd or is it acting strangely? (Behaviour)
- Does it carry its head, ears, body and tail as usual? Does it walk normally? (Attitude)
- Is the animal in good condition and is it well muscled, neither too thin nor too fat? (Condition)
- Does it eat, drink and ruminate properly?
- Does it urinate and defecate normally?
- If a cow is in milk, is there a sudden drop in milk production?
- Any other abnormal signs?
Consult a veterinarian in case any change is noticed.
At first, one should do body scoring just by seeing physically. Body scoring is very important in assessing the health status of an animal. A low score may indicate diseases or improper feeding while a high score may indicate a high probability of breeding and metabolic problems. Body scoring would be a helpful yardstick to monitor health.
A calf is tomorrow’s cow. From the health point of view, the life of a bovine is divided into two parts; the first 24 hours, and the rest. The first 24 hours of life of a calf is so important that it has a strong bearing on the rest of its life. A calf not provided adequate care in the first 24 hours may succumb to diseases or will always remain weak and an underperformer, even though it has good genetic potential and is provided a good environment. Another important reason for losing a calf is diarrhoea, the management of which is equally important till such time the cause is treated and cured. The golden hour: The first hour after calving is the most critical period in the entire life of a new born calf. Calves showing symptoms of above 8% dehydration require immediate intravenous fluid therapy, contact a veterinarian immediately. Proper care and management of pregnant animals ensures a healthier calf and higher lactation yield. Feeding and management during the transition period has a significant bearing on the lactation length and total milk yield.
Purchasing healthy animals and implementing strict protocols for introduction into your herd is one of the most important components to prevent diseases occurring in your herd due to introduction of a newly purchased animal. Proper quarantine will protect your herd from diseases.
Our country is endemic to many diseases that cause severe economic losses due to drastic reduction in the production capacity. Some of the diseases are even highly fatal. Fortunately, vaccines are available for most of these diseases in our country and can be easily controlled if timely vaccination is carried out in a mass scale, covering a large proportion of the susceptible population (at least 80%). Vaccination is the easiest and cheapest way to prevent diseases. Vaccinate your animals regularly against Foot and Mouth, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (An emerging disease), Black Quarter, Johne’s disease, Tuberculosis and many others to avoid economic losses. There are some diseases which are incurable and the only option is to isolate and remove infected animals from the herd to prevent infection spreading to other animals.
Tick infestation is a major problem for dairy farmers. Many farmers find it difficult to control the problem. Ticks and biting flies cause a great amount of discomfort to the animal and also drain the animal of considerable amounts of blood, which in itself leads to a significant decrease in productivity. Control biting flies to control Surra. We should take care of hoof and deworm them regularly to increase the productivity. Mastitis is a scourge that results in heavy losses to the dairy farmer by causing a reduction in milk production, drastic decrease or cessation of production, causing permanent damage to the udder or, even death of the animal in severe cases.
Zoonoses constitute 61% of all known infectious diseases. It may also be noted that out of the 175 diseases considered to be emerging, 75% are zoonotic. Poor hygiene, poverty, malnutrition, lack of education, close contact with animals are predisposing factors causing zoonotic diseases.
Selective breeding of cattle and buffalo to increase milk production has been going on for a long time in our country and has made commendable progress in certain areas. Majority of the cattle and buffalo are still not included in the breed improvment programmes and that is why they are low milk producers. In order to increase the milk production in our country, there is a need to increase the production potential of non-descript local animals through scientific methods like crossbreeding. Along with this, improving the milk production potential of indigenous breeds in their native breeding tracts is also equally important.
Progeny testing (PT) and Pedigree Selection (PS) coupled with Artificial Insemination (AI) and milk recording have been identified as activities leading to steady genetic progress. For a profitable milk business, it is also necessary for the cow/buffalo to calve every 1 to 1.5 years. Timely heat detection is very important in getting the animal conceived. Artificial Insemination (AI) is carried out by using Frozen Semen Doses (FSD) of High Genetic Merit (HGM), disease free bulls. It prevents spread of sexually transmitted diseases. AI is a simple and cost effective method to improve milk production. Manage infertility-ensure conception.
PT is a scientific technique used to improve the milk production of any particular breed through selective breeding In PS, bulls are evaluated solely on the basis of their dam & sire’s dam’s milk yield. This process is followed when a large number of animals of a breed are available in the native tract but, either there is no infrastructure to provide AI or, the availability is scarce.
Feeding is an important aspect of dairying as it accounts for around 70% of total cost of milk production. Different types of dietary feed ingredients for dairy cows and buffaloes include concentrates such as compound cattle feed, oil cakes, grains and grain by-products like bran and chunnies; cultivated green fodders and grasses; crop residues like straws and stovers. Avoid feeding moldy straw and feed–prevent mycotoxicosis.
Ration Balancing is a component of Information Network for Animal Productivity and Health pertaining to Animal Nutrition. (INAPH)
To know the balanced ration of animals, NDDB has developed a user-friendly software, which can be used by trained and dedicated local resource persons (LRPs) identified for the area. Farmers can download and use “Pashuposhan” app from Google play store.
Compound cattle feed increases milk production. Bypass protein feed is an economical source of nutrients. Supplementation of deficient minerals improves milk production and reproduction efficiency. The farmer understands the deficiencies or excesses in the present feeding regime especially with respect to availability of protein, total digestible nutrients, calcium and phosphorous.
Fodder production is one of the most important activities in dairying contributing to the profitability of the business. It is also one of the areas that is neglected most often. Fodder provides an economic nutrient source which is highly relished by the animals. A year round supply of fodder can be assured if farmers cultivate seasonal and perennial fodder crops by adopting suitable crop sequences and surplus green fodder is preserved properly in times of abundance for use during lean periods.
Most of the farmers in our country depend on crop residues to sustain dairying which are very low in nutritive value. Green fodder is an economic source of nutrients for the dairy animals. It is highly palatable and digestible. Micro-organisms present in green fodder help in improving digestibility, maintaining good health and improving breeding efficiency of animals of crop residues under mixed feeding system.
To reduce the gap between demand and availability of green fodder, there is a need to improve green fodder yield through enhanced use of improved fodder seeds.. The surplus green fodder can be conserved in the form of hay and silage to ensure supply of roughages during deficit period and to minimize wastage of green fodder.
It is important to provide clean and comfortable housing facilities to the dairy animals for their proper growth and optimum productivity. The milch animals should be protected from extreme weather conditions of summer, winter, scorching direct sunrays and winds by providing proper animal sheds. Shed hygiene is of prime importance
Temperature regulation should also be considered as one gram of water evaporation takes away 540 calories of metabolic heat generated by animals. Drop in temperature by water evaporation (so called zero energy cooling) from the animal’s body could exceed 13°C depending on humidity, thus bringing them back into comfort zone during hot summer days.
The important facts of animal health, breeding and nutrition should be supported by an information system for recording the activities in the field so that a rich database is created which would be beneficial both to the farmers and policy makers. NDDB has created such a system called the Information Network for Animal Productivity and Health (INAPH) which is being presently used in the field for recording various interventions in animal health, breeding and nutrition.
Identification of an animal is very important while recording any interventions on it for creation of a reliable and rich database. The GoI has already passed a Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals (PCICDA) Act, 2009 which makes identification of the animal compulsory and thus, adequate measures are taken to be in line with international policies.
INPAH is able to record the ear tag of each animal registered with it along with all the details of the animal (breed, age, whether pregnant, milk yield, owner’s details, village name etc.) so that a permanent passport of the animal is created which can be transferred or traced to any location in the country. DADF, GoI has authorised NDDB to centrally manage unique animal identification system in the country.
Nowadays, a health card of the animal detailing all the interventions carried out on the animal can be generated for reference just by entering the tag no. of the animal. The farmer is alerted timely through SMS alerts on his registered mobile on the the services due on his animal and also if any disease outbreaks occur in neighbouring villages so that timely preventive measures can be taken.
INAPH data helps research institutions to identify best milking animals and bulls in the country which should be used to increase the milk production of the future generations of dairy cattle and buffalo.Central and State governments use INAPH data in making policies for the country.
After hearing a great deal about the various management practices about the cattle from his friend, Shyam, Ram was awestruck, with a glimmer of curiosity and hope which could be seen clearly in his eyes, he asked from Shyam, from where on this planet he got to know so much about the cattle and their management. To which he replied that, there are many State and Central Government projects to provide such information and knowledge, government agricultural universities and KVK {Krishi Vigyan Kendra} give the on-ground practical experience of the same. Along with that nowadays government has launched many Dairy Farmers Welfare Programmes especially in the Dairy sector for our wellbeing which provides subsidies in the purchase of new cattle and also in their feed and fodder. Even in many states the government is bearing the cost of vaccinating the cattle which thereby again reduces the financial load on their owner which means the only thing we as dairy farmers are expected to do is to just take care of our cattle as our own children, take a good and stringent care of them and incorporate “Good Management Practices” for them and then see how this deity in the form of a four-legged animal fills our home with health, wealth and happiness”. All these information has been gained by attending different on field demonstrations in the village. Some of them are Lab to Land Programme (LLP), Trainers’ Training Centre (TTC), Institution Village Linkage Programme (IVLP) and many others.
After hearing this form his friend, the sobbing farmer had now realised his mistake, he felt short of words to express his gratitude towards his friend but his eyes said it all. His friend was “MESSIAH” for him. As he had not came at the right time, he would have by now sold his bread and butter. After thanking his friend from the bottom of his heart, he took back the cattle to his home but this time with a broad smile on his face as if he was taking his new born baby.
This epitome of real life enlightenment is a great illumination in each and everyone’s existence. The avowal between Ram and Shyam is quiet impressing. Thus, by conducting various programmes on field, likewise, many Shyams will make many Rams. This never ending chain should be cheered up. Consequently, this thread will be give fructiferous results. In future, it will resemble similar to sparkling pearls in the form of marvellous necklace. Therefore, this is how we can achieve our goals efficiently and effectively.
The GMPs to increase GDP!!!
Kajal Kumari
IVth Year, B. Tech. {Dairy Technology}, Phulo Jhano Murmu College of Dairy Technology; Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 834006
E – mail: kajalsmileykk@gmail.com Contact No. – +919123472327
