Milk Fat Depression (MFD) in Dairy Cattle: Challenges for Indian Farmers and Indigenous Solutions for Sustainable Dairy Farming

Milk Fat Depression (MFD) in Dairy Cattle: Challenges for Indian Farmers and Indigenous Solutions for Sustainable Dairy Farming

Milk Fat Depression (MFD) is a nutritional disorder in dairy cattle where milk yield remains normal, but the fat percentage drops significantly. This condition is mainly caused by dietary imbalances, metabolic changes, and alterations in the rumen fermentation process. Milk Fat Depression (MFD) is a significant challenge in India’s dairy sector, affecting milk quality, pricing, and farmer income. MFD is primarily caused by nutritional imbalances, metabolic disturbances, and rumen fermentation issues, leading to a reduction in milk fat percentage despite normal milk yield.

In a country where dairy farming supports over 70 million rural households, a decline in milk fat percentage has direct economic consequences. Traditional and ethnoveterinary practices (EVP) and Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) can play a crucial role in addressing MFD by providing cost-effective and sustainable solutions.

Milk Fat Depression (MFD) in Dairy Cattle

In India, where milk production is crucial for the economy, MFD is a major concern as it directly affects milk quality and farmer income. Since milk pricing is often based on fat content, any reduction in fat percentage results in financial losses for dairy farmers.

1. What is Milk Fat Depression (MFD)?

MFD occurs when milk fat percentage drops below the normal range, even though the cow’s overall milk yield remains unchanged.

• Normal Fat Percentage in Indian Dairy Cattle:
  • Cow’s milk: 3.5% – 4.5%
  • Buffalo’s milk: 6% – 8%

When MFD occurs, the milk fat percentage may drop to 2% or lower in cows and below 5% in buffaloes, significantly reducing the value of milk.

Why is MFD Important in India?

1. Impact on Dairy Industry: Since ghee, butter, and paneer production depend on milk fat, MFD affects the overall dairy business.
2. Economic Loss for Farmers: In India, milk price is largely based on fat content, so lower fat means lower income.
3. Sustainability in Dairy Farming: If MFD persists for a long time, it can affect animal health and reproductive efficiency.

2. Major Causes of MFD

(A) Nutritional Factors:

1. Low Fiber, High Starch Diet:
   • Excessive grain-based diets (like maize, wheat bran) reduce fiber-digesting bacteria in the rumen, leading to reduced fat synthesis.
   • Less roughage and more concentrates alter rumen fermentation, leading to lower volatile fatty acid production, which is essential for milk fat synthesis.
2. Excessive Unsaturated Fats in Diet:
   • Feeding high levels of vegetable oils (cottonseed, soybean, sunflower oil, etc.) disrupts the rumen biohydrogenation process, leading to trans fatty acids that inhibit milk fat synthesis.
3. Dry Roughage Overuse:
   • Excess use of dry fodder without green fodder or balanced fiber sources reduces effective fiber intake, negatively affecting rumination and fat production.
4. Deficiency of Essential Minerals & Vitamins:
   • Cobalt, magnesium, copper, and vitamin B12 deficiencies interfere with fat synthesis pathways.
   • Lack of selenium and antioxidants affects liver function, further reducing fat metabolism.

(B) Rumen & Metabolic Imbalances:

1. Altered Rumen Fermentation:
   • Less fiber digestion reduces acetate and butyrate production, which are key precursors of milk fat synthesis.
   • More starch digestion leads to more propionate production, which lowers fat percentage.
2. Interference in Fat Digestion & Metabolism:
   • Excess unsaturated fatty acids in the rumen lead to trans-fatty acids, which inhibit milk fat synthesis genes in the mammary gland.
3. Acidosis & Subacute Rumen Acidosis (SARA):
   • High starch, low fiber diets lead to acidosis, damaging rumen microbes and reducing fiber digestion, ultimately leading to MFD.

Impact of MFD on Dairy Farmers in India

(A) Economic Losses Due to Lower Milk Prices

• In India, milk is priced based on its fat percentage.
• A reduction in milk fat percentage results in lower payments per liter, directly impacting the farmer’s income.
• For example: If the fat content in cow’s milk drops from 4% to 3%, the price per liter may fall by ₹2-5 per liter, leading to a monthly loss of ₹1,000–₹5,000 for small farmers.

(B) Decreased Profitability of Dairy Products

• Dairy cooperatives and private processors rely on high-fat milk for ghee, butter, paneer, and khoa production.
• Low-fat milk reduces the yield of these products, causing losses to the entire dairy value chain.

(C) Poor Animal Health and Increased Veterinary Costs

• MFD is linked to metabolic imbalances, such as subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA), energy deficits, and digestive issues.
• Farmers face higher veterinary expenses due to poor rumen health and increased susceptibility to diseases.

(D) Reduced Productivity and Fertility Issues

• Cows experiencing MFD often face nutritional deficiencies, leading to:
  • Delayed estrus cycles and lower conception rates.
  • Longer calving intervals, affecting overall farm efficiency.

(E) Impact on Small & Marginal Dairy Farmers

• Small dairy farmers, who lack access to commercial feed supplements, are more vulnerable to MFD.
• They depend on seasonal fodder and local resources, making them more prone to milk fat depression due to imbalanced feeding.

Application of Ethnoveterinary Practices (EVP) & Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) for MFD Management

Ethnoveterinary Practices (EVP) and Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) have been traditionally used by Indian farmers to enhance milk production, fat content, and rumen health. These natural remedies offer low-cost, sustainable solutions for MFD management.

(A) Dietary Modifications Using Indigenous Knowledge

1. Incorporating High-Fiber Green Fodder

1. • Berseem, Napier grass, cowpea, and lucerne improve fiber intake and enhance milk fat synthesis.
   • Farmers should provide at least 50% green fodder in the diet to maintain healthy rumen fermentation.

2. Feeding Legume-Based Byproducts

1. • Sesame cake, mustard cake, and groundnut cake provide essential fatty acids that boost milk fat.
   • How to Use: 200-500 grams/day mixed with cattle feed.

3. Adding Ayurvedic Digestive Enhancers

1. • Hing (Asafoetida): Improves rumen activity and digestion.
   • Ajwain (Carom Seeds): Enhances gut health and prevents acidity.
   • How to Use: 10 grams per day, mixed with feed.

(B) Use of Herbal Supplements to Enhance Milk Fat

1. Fenugreek (Methi) Seeds:

1. • Increases volatile fatty acid (VFA) production in the rumen, which is essential for milk fat synthesis.
   • Dosage: 100-200 grams soaked overnight, mixed with feed.

2. Flaxseed (Alsi) and Cottonseed Meal:

1. • Provides omega-3 fatty acids that help increase milk fat synthesis.
   • Dosage: 250-500 grams per cow per day.

3. Curry Leaves & Neem Leaves:

1. • Improve liver function and enhance digestion, indirectly helping in milk fat maintenance.
   • How to Use: Sun-dried and powdered (50 grams/day).

4. Turmeric (Haldi) and Black Pepper:

1. • Anti-inflammatory properties improve gut health and help in fat metabolism.
   • Dosage: 5-10 grams turmeric + 2 grams black pepper mixed in jaggery.

(C) Probiotics & Traditional Rumen Enhancers

1. Live Curd & Buttermilk (Chhachh):

1. • Natural probiotic, maintains healthy rumen bacteria and prevents acidosis.
   • Dosage: 500 ml per day in summers.

2. Fermented Rice Gruel (Kanji):

1. • Acts as a rumen buffer and improves digestion.
   • Dosage: 1 liter/day mixed with feed.

3. Ash Gourd Juice (Petha) & Aloe Vera:

1. • Helps in neutralizing stomach acidity, preventing rumen acidosis.
   • Dosage: 100 ml daily for 5 days.

(D) Use of Bypass Fat from Natural Sources

1. Coconut Oil & Palm Oil Cake:

1. • Improves energy supply without disrupting rumen fermentation.
   • Dosage: 100-200 grams/day.

2. Desi Ghee & Butter Milk Mixture:

1. • A traditional fat-enhancing practice followed in many dairy villages.
   • How to Use: 100 ml buttermilk mixed with 1 spoon of desi ghee, given twice a week.

Role of ITK in Sustainable Dairy Farming

1. Reduces Dependence on Expensive Supplements:

1. • ITK-based home remedies reduce costs and improve farm sustainability.

2. Environmentally Friendly Practices:

1. • Avoids overuse of synthetic feed additives, promoting organic dairy production.

3. Enhances Indigenous Cattle Breeds’ Performance:

1. • Desi breeds (Gir, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Tharparkar) naturally respond better to traditional feeding practices.

4. Promotes Farmer-Led Knowledge Sharing:

1. • Encourages community-driven dairy management, reducing reliance on external consultants.

3. Corrective Measures to Prevent & Manage MFD

(A) Nutritional Management

1. Balanced Diet with Proper Fiber & Starch Ratio:
   • Maintain minimum 40% roughage in total dry matter intake.
   • Avoid feeding more than 30% grains/starch-based concentrates.
   • Use high-fiber sources like chopped hay, green fodder (Napier, Berseem), and legume fodders (cowpea, alfalfa, lucerne, etc.).
2. Use of Bypass Fat:
   • Protected/Biohydrogenated fats should be used instead of raw vegetable oils.
   • Bypass fat helps in maintaining energy balance without disrupting rumen fermentation.
3. Correcting Mineral & Vitamin Deficiencies:
   • Supplementation of cobalt, magnesium, copper, and vitamin B12 is essential.
   • Use Buffalo Premix or Cattle Mineral Mixture to prevent deficiencies.

(B) Rumen Health & Digestion Management

1. Improving Rumination & Buffering Rumen pH:
   • Feeding long-stem fiber (chopped roughage) increases chewing activity, saliva secretion, and stabilizes rumen pH.
   • Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and magnesium oxide can be used to maintain pH and prevent acidosis.
2. Preventing Acidosis:
   • Avoid sudden dietary shifts from high-fiber to high-starch diets.
   • Maintain at least 20% physically effective fiber in total diet to promote normal rumen function.
3. Use of Probiotics & Rumen Modifiers:
   • Live yeast culture, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Lactobacillus-based probiotics help in maintaining rumen microbial balance.

(C) Management Practices for Dairy Cattle:

1. Regular Body Condition Monitoring & Milk Testing:
   • Monitor milk fat percentage weekly to detect early signs of MFD.
   • Ensure cows maintain a healthy body condition score (BCS 3 – 3.5).
2. Providing Exercise & Open Housing:
   • Free movement and regular exercise improve digestion & metabolism, indirectly helping fat synthesis.
3. Use of Natural Fat Enhancers:
   • Fenugreek (methi), flaxseed, and mustard cake are natural sources that improve milk fat percentage.

Milk Fat Depression (MFD) directly affects the economic stability of Indian dairy farmers by reducing milk quality and profitability. While commercial feed additives and synthetic fat boosters are available, ethnoveterinary practices (EVP) and Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) offer cost-effective, sustainable, and farmer-friendly solutions.

By incorporating traditional feeding methods, herbal remedies, and probiotic techniques, farmers can naturally improve milk fat percentage while ensuring better animal health and profitability. Encouraging the use of ITK in dairy farming can bridge the gap between modern science and traditional wisdom, leading to a sustainable, resilient dairy industry in India.

Milk Fat Depression (MFD) is a big challenge to dairy_industry worldwide , especially in those area of the world where milk constituents hold a key importance for sustainable dairy farming

There are several dietary factors that influence the content of fat in cow’ s milk
– forage to concentrate ratio
– dietary starch level
– forage chop length
– degree/processing time of concentrates
– portion of vegetable oils in ration
– inclusion of marine oils e.g fish oil
– pasture feeding strategies

“ spring pasture dropped fat content than fall , because spring pastures contain low content of fiber and are higher in soluble carbohydrates ”

Theories_about_Milk_Fat_Depression

First theory related to production of volatile_fatty_acids VFA’s in the rumen and subsequent supply to mammary glands

Second theory explained that changes in the rumen fermentation alter the propionate production, which in turn;
– increases insulin production
– division of nutrients between milk and body_fats

Third one proposes the production of intermediates in the biohydrogenation pathways of PUFA in the rumen (Most recent theory)

Role_of_Roughages_in_MFD

If level of roughage falls below 400 g/ kg DM in diet, then MFD is obvious BUT
if drops below 100 g/kg DM then it means milk fat content may be below 20 g/ kg

Most related point to this is acid_detergent_fibre (ADF) that consists of;
– cellulose
– lignin
– acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN)
– acid insoluble ash

Generally, the level of ADF should be maintained above 190 g / kg DM but not possible if energy_requirements are not to be fulfilled for higher yielding cows

Low fibre diet also fail to stimulate salivary secretions, therefore decreasing the buffering capacity of rumen

Low fibre diet fermented rapidly, increasing the acid production & ultimately lower the rumen pH , as a result activity of cellulolytic fibre-digesting bacteria is inhibited “ encourage starch utilizing microbes ”

These above changes altered the balance of VFA’ s production in the rumen e.g on higher fibre diets the proportion of VFA’ s are;
– acetic acid 70%
– propionic acid 18%
– butyric acid 12 %
d f
If fibre content reduced then the proportion of acetic_acialls to 40% in extreme cases , also decrease in butyric acid and increase in propionic percentage up to 60-70 % of total fatty acids

This normally happens when a diet contained higher concentrate portion (available starch or NFC/NSC) and the starchy ingredients like;
– wheat
– flaked maize

MFD also occurs when the forages are very finely ground and this can also decrease the ruminal_pH