GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR SUCCESSFUL DAIRY  FARMING IN INDIA

GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR SUCCESSFUL DAIRY  FARMING IN INDIA

 

INTRODUCTION

Livestock sector is one of the fastest growing agricultural sub-sectors in India. Within this sector, dairying is a livelihood option for many rural poor, especially the landless, marginal and small farmers in India. It is a rich source of high quality products such as milk, meat and eggs and a source of income and employment to millions of rural farmers. Dairy farming in India contributes to 4% of its GDP. This business in India is a very lucrative one as we have its demand throughout the year. From starting our day with a hot cup of tea to mothers running after their kids to coax them to drink milk and eagerly waiting for ice creams in hot summer to desi-ghee sweets in Indian festivities, we have milk everywhere as a staple. The dairy business also provides a tool for socio-economic development, and the Government of India has introduced various schemes and initiatives aimed at the development of dairy farms in India.

 

Management is very important and a key factor for the success in dairy farming. Feeding, housing and health management plays a very significant role in exploiting the full potential of dairy animals. The management practices constitute about 75-80 percent of total cost incurred on milk production in dairy business. Insufficient feeding of dairy cows results in poor growth, delayed maturity, late conception and poor production. Provision of comfortable and proper spacing is helpful in reducing the energy in maintaining thermo-neutral zone and also provides ideal, comfortable and hygienic conditions, which reduce the incidence of diseases, lower the pathogenic load, reduces the ectoparasites and endoparasites and provides good environment for optimum milk production.

Herd management practices of animal handling, nutrition, milking procedures, sanitation and housing play major role in predisposing the individual animal as well as herds to diseases. Health management improves the conditions of dairy animals by reducing the disease load and proper health status. Therefore, understanding of livestock management (feeding, housing, health) practices followed by the farmers is the key factors in identification of strength, weakness, opportunity and threat in livestock rearing.

   ROLE OF DAIRYING IN INDIAN ECONOMY

It is well established fact that India is basically an agriculture country. Majority of its population live in village whose primary occupation is agriculture. For a farmer dairying is a subsidiary source of income. It plays an important role in the agriculture economy.

• Dairying provides a stable income: The prices of most of the agriculture produce show great fluctuation. The prices of dairy products do not show such wide range of fluctuation in their prices.
• Dairy production improves the family diet and reduces the food cost. Milk is a basic food and an important item in the family food budget.
• Dairying aids in the maintenance of soil fertility legumes and grasses are grown on for from providing fodder to the animals. These crops are soil conserving and soil building crops. The manure provided is distributed on the land and returns plant food nutrients to the soil.
• Milk animals are efficient Consumers of roughages. The different types of roughages such as Paddy straw, Wheat straw etc. sometimes goes waste on some farms. If the farmer has dairying these roughages can efficiently be converted into most nutrition’s milk.

ECONOMIC CHARACTERS IN DAIRY CATTLE

The various economic characters in Dairy Cattle management are-

1. Lactation yield
2. Lactation period
3. Persistency of yield
4. Age at first calving
5. Service period
6. Dry period
7. Inter calving period
8. Reproductive efficiency
9. Disease resistance.

1.Lactation yield:

The lactation yield in a lactation period is known as lactation yield. This is dependent on number of calving, frequency of milking, persistency of yield. After parturition the milk yield per day will be increased and reaches peak within 2-4 weeks after calving. This yield is known as peak yield. The maintenance of peak yield for more time is importance for better milk production.

2. Lactation Period:

The length of milk producing period after calving is known as lactation period. The optimum lactation period is 305 days. The milk production will be less, if this period is shortened.

3. Persistency of Milk Yield:

The maintenance of peak yield for long period is known as persistency of milk yield. High persistency is necessary to maintain high level of milk production

4. Age at first calving:

The age of the animal at first calving is very important. The desirable age at first calving for Indian cattle and buffalo is 3 years and 2 years in cross-breed cattle. Prolonged age at first calving will have high production in the first lactation but the life time production will be decreased due to less no of calving.

5. Service period:

It is the period between date of calving and date of successful conception. The optimum service period helps the animal to recover from the stress of calving and also to get back the reproductive organs back to normal for cattle. The optimum service period is 60-90 days. If the service period is too prolonged the calving interval prolonged, less no. of calving will be obtained in her life time and ultimately less production. If the service period is too short, the animal will become weak and persistency of milk production is poor due to immediate pregnancy.

6. Dry Period:

It is the period from the date of drying to next calving when the animal is in pregnancy, before next calving.  A minimum of 2 – 2 ½ months dry period should be allowed. If the dry period is not given or too low dry period, the animals suffer from stress and in next lactation, the milk production drops substantially and also it gives weak calves. On the other hand if the dry period given is too high, it may not have that much effect on increasing milk yield in the next lactation, but it decrease the production in the present lactation.

7. Inter calving Period:

This is the period between two successive calving. It is more, profitable to have one calf yearly in cattle and at least one calf for every 15 months in buffaloes. If the calving interval is more, the total no. of calvings in the life time will be decreased and also total life production of milk decrease.

8. Reproductive Efficiency:

The reproductive efficiency means the more number of calves during life time, so that total life time production is increased. The reproduction or breeding efficiency is determined by the combined effect of hereditary and environment. Several measures of breeding efficiency like number of services per conception, calving interval, and days from first breeding to conception are useful. Reproductive efficiency has generally a low heritability value indicating

9. Disease Resistance:

Indian breeds are more resistant to majority of disease compared to exotic cattle. Cross breeding helps to get this character.

 

HOUSING OF DAIRY CATTLE

Cattle yards should be so constructed and situated in relation to feed storages, hay stacks, silo and manure pits as to effect the most efficient utilization of labour. Sufficient space per cow, well arranged feeding mangers and resting areas contribute not only to greater milk yield of cows and make the work of the operator easier but also minimize feed expenses. The relative position of the feed stores should be quite adjacent to the cattle barn and milk house should be located almost at the centre of the barn.

Selection of Site for Dairy Farm:

The points which should be considered before the erection of dairy buildings are as follows:

1. Topography: A dairy building should be at a higher elevation than the surrounding ground, to offer a good slope for rainfall and drainage for the wastes of the dairy to avoid stagnation within. A leveled area requires less site preparation and thus lesser cost of building. Low lands and depression and proximity to places of bad odor should be avoided.
2. Soil Type: Fertile soil should be spared for cultivation. Foundation soil as, far as possible should not- too dehydrated or desiccated. Such a soil is susceptible to considerable swelling during rainy season and exhibit numerous cracks and fissures.
3. Exposure to the sun and protection from wind: A dairy building should be located to a maximum exposure to the sun in the north and minimum exposure to the sun in the south and protection from prevailing strong wind currents whether hot or cold. Buildings should be placed so that direct sunlight can reach the platforms, gutter and mangers; in the cattle shed. As far as possible, the long axis of the dairy barns should be set in north-south direction to have the maximum benefit of the sun.
4. Accessibility: Easy accessibility to the buildings is always desirable. Situation of a cattle shed by the side of the main road preferably a distance of about 100 meters should be aimed.
5. Durability and Attractiveness: It is always attractive when the buildings open up to a scenic view and add to the grandeur of the scenery. Along with this, durability of the structure is obviously an important criteria in building a dairy.
6. Water Supply: Abundant supply of fresh, clean and soft water should be available at a cheap rate.
7. Surrounding: Areas infested with wild animals should be avoided. Narrow gates, high manger curbs, loose hinges, protruding nails, smooth finished floor in the areas where the cows move and other such hazards should be eliminated.
8. Labour: Honest, economic and regular supply of labour should be available.
9. Marketing: Dairy buildings should only be in those areas from where the owner can sell his products profitability and regularly. He should be in a position to satisfy the needs of the farm within no time and at a reasonable price.
10. Electricity: Electricity is the most important in dairy farms. Since a modern dairy always handles electric equipments which are also economical, it is desirable to have an adequate supply of electricity.

SANITATION IN DAIRY FARM

Sanitation is necessary in the dairy farm houses for eliminations of all micro organisms that are capable of causing disease in the animals. The presence of organisms in the animal shed contaminates the milk produced thus reducing its self life. Milk produced in an unclean environment is likely to transmit diseases which affect human health. The presence of flies, ticks and other insects in the dairy farm area are not only disturb the animals but also spread deadly diseases (Babesiosis, Theileriosis ) to the animals.

FEEDING AND MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS

Care and Management of Calf:

Feeding and management is good for the calves so that they develop well, useful for replacement stock. The feeding and care of the calf begins before its birth, mother should be dried 6-8 weeks before expected calving and should be fed well. Underfed animals will give weak and small calves.

Early Management of Calf:

• Immediately after birth remove any mucous or phlegm from nose and mouth.
• Normally the cow licks the calf immediately the birth. This helps’ dry off the calf and helps in stimulating breathing and circulation. When the cows do not lick or in cold climate, rub and dry the calf with a dry cloth or gunny bag. Provide artificial respiration by compression and relaxing the chest with hands
• The Naval should be tied about 2-5 cm away from the body and cut 1cm below the ligature and apply tincture Iodine or boric acid or any antibiotic.
• Remove the wet bedding from the pen and keep the stall very clean and dry in condition.
• Wash the cow’s udder and teats preferably with chlorine solution and dry. Allow the calf to suckle the first milk of the mother i.e. Colostrum.

Feeding of Calves:

• Feed colostrum for the first 3 days. It contains higher proportions of Vit. A and proteins. The proteins are immunoglobulin which gives protection against many diseases. Colostrums contain antitrypsin which avoid digestion of immunoglobulins in the stomach and is absorbed as it is.
• Whole milk should be given after 3 days it is better to teach to, drink the milk from the pail or bucket. Feed twice a day which should be warmed to body temperature. For weak calves feed thrice a day.
• The limit of liquid milk feeding is 10 % of its body weight with a maximum of 5-6 litres per day and continues liquid milk feeding for 6-10 weeks. Over feeding causes ‘Calf Scours’.
• Calf starter should be given after one month of age.
• Provide good quality green fodder and hay from 4th month afterwards.

 Some Other Management of Calf:

• Identify the calf by tattooing in the ear at birth, and branding after one year.
• Dehorn the calf within 7-10 days after birth with red hot Iron or caustic potash stick or electrical method.
• Deworm the calf regularly to remove worms using Albendazole, Fenbendazole drugs. Deworming should be done at 30 days interval.
• House the calves in individual calf pens for 3 months afterwards in groups.
• After six months males and females calves should be housed separately.
• Weigh the calves at weekly interval up to 6 months and at monthly interval afterwards to know the growth rate.
• Mortality in calves is more in first month due to pneumonia, Diarrhea and worms. House them under warm and clean condition to avoid mortility.
• Males calves should be castrated at 8-9 weeks of age.
• Mineral blocks should be provided, so that calves lick and reduce the chances for mineral deficiency.

Care and Management of Heifer:

Better Care and Management of heifer will give high quality replacement stock to the dairy farm. The following care and Management practices are recommended for a heifer.

• Feed the heifer sufficiently to produce normal growth. During the early stage of growth relatively more protein is needed than energy. The amount of growth depends upon the quality of forage fed. Heifers grow well if excellent hay is given as much they can eat.
• The heifers should be provided with a dry shelter free from drafts. A loose housing system with a shelter open to one side is sufficient.
• Maintenance of health among heifers is very important for proper growth. The health among the heifers is maintained by hygiene housing, water balanced feeding and taking necessary preventive steps against common diseases.
• Periodically the heifers in the herd should be checked for their proper growth and other progress. Animals lagging behind below the required standards should be removed from the herd.
• The size of a dairy heifer at breeding time is important rather than the age.
• Place the heifer in a separate shed about 6-8 weeks before she is due to calve.
• Feed 2 – 3 kg of concentrate daily and all the forage she eats.
• Before calving let the heifer becomes accustomed to handling and to the procedures used in the milking herd. Always handle her gently and with kindness.
• https://www.pashudhanpraharee.com/utilization-of-hydroponics-for-green-fodder-production/

Care and Management of Milch Animal:

To get high milk during any lactation, the milch animal should be properly fed and necessary care and managemental practices should be followed.

• Provide green succulent forage together with leguminous hay or straw to the animal, so that all its maintenance requirements are met with through forage only. Extra concentrate at the rate of 1 kg for every 2 to 2.5 liters of milk should be provided.
• Salt and mineral supplements should be given to maintain the lactation.
• Always treat them gently and with kindness, never frighten or excite the animals.
• With proper feeding and care, a cow will come to heat within 45 days of calving. The shorter the interval between calving, the more efficient the animal is as a milk producer. By maintaining proper records of breeding and calving of the animals will ensure a sturdy flow of milk throughout the year.
• Individual attention to feed each animal according to its production is a must. For this purpose maintain individual production records.
• Water should be provided to drink at will or at frequent intervals. It is more important when the animal is maintained on paddy straw as sole roughage.
• Regularity in milking is essential. Increase of milk in the udder will reduce further secretion of milk.
• The animals will get maximum exercise in loose housing system.
• Grooming of the cows and washing of the buffaloes before milking help in clean milk production. Daily brushing will remove loose hair and dirt from the coat. Grooming will also keep the animal hide pliable.
• Provide at least 60 – 90 days dry period between calving. If the dry period is not sufficient, the milk yield in subsequent lactation will be reduced.

Care and Management of Dry and Pregnant Animal:

The good care and managemental practices given to pregnant animal will give good calf and also high milk yield during the successive lactation.

• Extra concentrate mix of 1.25 to 1.75 kg should be provided for pregnant animal as pregnancy allowance. Feed good quality of leguminous fodder. The animal should be “not lean not fat” condition.
• Provide clean drinking water and protection from thermal stress.
• Do not allow them to mix with other animals that have aborted or that are suffering from or carriers of diseases like brucellosis.
• Allow moderate exercise, which helps in calving normally. Do not tire them by making long distances especially on uneven surfaces.
• Do not allow them to fight with other animals and take care that they are not chased by dogs and other animals.
• Avoid slippery conditions, which causes the animal to fall receiving fractures, dislocation etc.
• If accurate breeding records are available, calculate the expected date of calving and separate it one or 2 weeks before calving and shifted to calving pen.
• Feed one kg extra concentrates during last 8 weeks of gestation. Feed laxative about 3 – 5 days before and after calving (Wheat bran 3 kgs + 0.5 gs of Groundnut cake + 100 gms of mineral mixture of salt).
• Symptoms of delivery may be observed i.e. swelling of external genetalia, swelling of udder, usually majority of animals will deliver without any help. If there is any difficulty, provide veterinary help.
• After parturition external genetalia, flank should be cleaned and protect the animal from chilled and give warm water.
• Placenta will normally leave the cow within 2 – 4 hours after calving.

Care and Management of Bull:

The maintenance of breeding bulls in good condition and suitable for breeding is highly essential requirement for the success of breeding.

• A breeding bull should house separately in “Bull Shed” with sufficient area of floor and proper covering. It is sound practice to provide cool conditions and adequate drinking water.
• Breeding bull should receive plenty of exercise; will usually produce large ejaculation containing more sperms of higher activity. Fat males may produce semen of inferior quality or they may be slow or fail at service.
• A balanced ration should be fed containing adequate energy, proteins, minerals, and vitamins. Green fodder must be available both before and during breeding season.
• It is of great importance that males should be, fed regularly and not too much at one time, and too little at another. For bulls two mating a day has been found to be openings.

Symptoms of Heat in Dairy Animals

• The animal is excited, restless and nervous
• Frequent bellowing and reduced feed intake
• Smelling, licking and mounting other animals
• Standing still when being mounted, also known as standing heat
• Frequent micturition or urination
• Clear mucous discharge from the vulva, and sometimes resembling string sticking around the vulva
• Swollen vulva and congestion and hyperemia of membrane
• Raised position of the tail
• Slight decrease in milk production
• On palpation, the uterus will be turgid and the cervix will open.
• https://www.pashudhanpraharee.com/judging-of-buffalo-bulls-half-of-herd/

VACCINATION IN ANIMALS

Vaccination is a useful tool to limit the impact of disease by increasing the immunity of the

animal population to specific pathogens. Animal disease causes huge losses to livestock farmers. Prevention of many disease is possible by protecting the animal by prophylactic & strategic vaccination. Vaccines can prevent a wide range of disease that can cause reduced production, fertility or death of animal and economic losses to producer. Vaccination is done at specific age and at definite time interval against specific disease using vaccines to give optimal protection to animal. Deworming must be done at least one week before vaccination.

Vaccination Schedule:

Disease	Vaccine	Dose & Method	Age & Time of vaccination
Foot and mouth disease (FMD)	FMD Vaccine	10 ml S/C	Primary: 4 month of age, Booster: 6 month of age. Repeated every 6 month interval.
Haemorrhagic septicemia (HS)	HS oil adjuvant vaccine	2ml I/M , S/C	First dose- 4-6 month of age. Annually repeated before monsoon.
Black quarter	Polyvalent ABQ Vaccine	5 ML S/C	First dose- 6 month of age. Booster- repeated every year before monsoon.
Brucellosis	Brucella abortus strain-19	2 ML S/C	Single dose- 4-8 month of age.
Anthrax	Anthrax live spore vaccine	1ML I/M	First dose- 6 month of age. Booster- repeated every year in month of may-june.

 

Conclusion

Good Agricultural Practice is about implementing sound practices on dairy farms collectively called Good Dairy Farming Practice. Good dairy farming practice ensures that the milk is produced by healthy animals in a manner that is sustainable and responsible from the animal welfare, social, economic and environmental perspectives. So implementing good dairy farming practice is good risk management for the short and long term future of the dairy farming enterprise.

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Dr Poonam Yadav¹, Dr Jitendra Kumar², Nutan Chauhan³

1. Department of Veterinary Physiology & Biochemistry Jabalpur (PhD Scholar)
2.   Department of Veterinary Gynaecology & Obstetrics Jabalpur (PhD Scholar)
3. Division of Animal Nutrition NDRI- Karnal (PhD Scholar)

College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, NDVSU, Jabalpur

Corresponding author:  poo90nam@gmail.com