Improving Dairy Production in India's Rainfed Agroecosystem: Constraints and Strategies

2009 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.K. Misra ◽  
C.A. Rama Rao ◽  
K.V. Subrahmanyam ◽  
Y.S. Ramakrishna
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Feed Resources ◽  
The Status ◽  
Dairy Animals ◽  
Socioeconomic Considerations ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Dairy Development ◽  
Rural Appraisal

A rainfed agroecosystem occupies 68% of India's cultivated area and supports 40% of the human and 65% of the livestock population. Dairy production is an important component of rural development programmes in rainfed areas to improve the livelihoods of farmers. The objective of the study was to characterize the status of smallholder dairy production systems in rainfed areas to generate information that would assist in designing strategies for dairy development programmes. These objectives were achieved by adopting a participatory system approach, which uses diagnostic survey and techniques of participatory rural appraisal. The dairy production systems in rainfed areas are complex and are generally based on traditional and socioeconomic considerations, guided largely by the available feed resources. A scarcity of feed and fodder resources (both quantity and quality), the low production potential of animals, the non-availability of critical inputs or services in time, along with access to capital and markets, were the primary reasons for the low productivity of dairy animals. The study suggests that farmer participation is essential for developing and promoting technical interventions. A favourable policy environment in terms of access to microcredit, assured market and veterinary services will have to be provided, and socioeconomic and technical constraints need to be addressed. Animal health camps and on-farm trials need to be conducted to create awareness among farmers about better dairy production practices.

scholarly journals Livestock production systems in the marginal upland and lowland areas of Inopacan Leyte, Eastern Visayas, Philippines

2014 ◽  
pp. 199-219
Author(s):  
Warren Come ◽  
Philippine Dianne Zamora
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Plant Residues ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Vegetation Diversity ◽  
Feed Resources ◽  
Agricultural Income

The study was conducted to obtain a baseline data of different livestock production systems, vegetation survey and animal environment interactions in the marginal upland in Eastern Visayas. A total of 280 farmer respondents were interviewed using an interview questionnaire. Vegetation species were gathered and validated with its genus and species group. Animal environment interactions particularly with chicken were also assessed. Results showed that chickens were the dominant species present in the study sites compared to other species. But in terms of total livestock units (TLU), buffaloes have higher TLU compared to other species of animals. Farmer’s income is mostly from the agricultural income with less than 20% of agricultural income was obtained from livestock farming. Livestock only serves as buffer income incase crops will fail. Different husbandry systems are used by the farmers such as free range system for chicken, ducks and turkeys while pigs are raised in confinement or caged system. Ruminant productions are raised in a tethering system of production. Natural breeding practice is still practiced by farmers and traditional animal health practices are still evident in this marginal upland. Ruminants graze in different vegetation diversity in grasslands and under the coconut trees. Likewise, plant residues of banana, coconut and root crops are also used as feed resources of farmer respondents. Grass and herb species that are palatable to the animals are diverse also especially in grassland areas. Availability of feed resources in the area plays a crucial role also on how animals interact with the environment and may affect also with their feeding behavior when there are changes in the climatic conditions. Preliminary result of the study on animal environment interaction shows that chickens tend to change their feeding itineraries due to availability of feed resources, environmental temperature and rainfall.

The status of cattle genetic resources in North Ethiopia: On-farm characterization of six major cattle breeds

2007 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 15-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Zerabruk ◽  
O. Vangen ◽  
M. Haile
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
The Other ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Cattle Breeds ◽  
Mixed Crop ◽  
The Status ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Secondary Information ◽  
On Farm

SummaryOn-farm surveys and characterisation of six indigenous north Ethiopian cattle breeds (Afar, Arado, Begait, Fogera, Medenes and Raya) was carried out with the objective of determining the current status of these breeds. Information from a structured questionnaire distributed to 450 farmers, 37 group discussions, field measurements of heart girth and height on 25 males and 25 females from each breed and secondary information were used to carry out the study. Population size of the Arado breed increased by more than three fold between 1992 and 1999, while the Raya, Fogera and Begait population decreased by57, 27 and 67%; between 1981 and 1999 respectively. Three distinctive types were identified within the Afar and Begait breeds with different adaptation and threat levels in relation to changes to the bio-physical and social environment. Overall production and reproduction performance of the breeds in the pastoral production system (Afar and Begait) was higher than the Raya and Medenes, and Arado and Fogera breeds of the agro-pastoral and mixed crop/livestock production systems respectively. Extinction probability for most ofthe breeds was high, the highest (0.67) being for the Begait breed. On the other hand, except for the initiative taken to evaluate, improve and conserve the Fogera breed at the Metekel and Andasa cattle breeding ranches, there are no institutionalized attempts towards improving and/or conserving the other breeds.

scholarly journals A spatial analysis of lime resources and their potential for improving soil magnesium concentrations and pH in grassland areas of England and Wales

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Bide ◽  
E. L. Ander ◽  
M. R. Broadley
Keyword(s):  
Soil Ph ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
British Geological Survey ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
North East ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Potential Demand ◽  
The Uk ◽  
On Farm

AbstractMagnesium (Mg) is essential for animal health. Low Mg status (hypomagnesaemia) can be potentially fatal in ruminants, like cattle and sheep, and is widespread in Europe with economic impacts on farming. The application of Mg-rich agricultural lime products can help to ensure pasture forage consumed by animals contains sufficient Mg and, in areas of low pH, has the dual benefit of reducing soil acidity to levels best suited for grass production. This aim of this study was to determine if Mg-rich lime products could be used in a more effective manner in agricultural production systems. Potential resources of carbonate rocks (limestone, dolostone and chalk) in the UK, and their Mg:Ca status were identified, using datasets from the British Geological Survey (BGS). These data were combined with the locations of agricultural lime quarries, and areas where soils are likely to be deficient in Mg and/or require liming. Areas of potential demand for Mg-rich agricultural lime include areas in south east Wales, the Midlands and North East England. Although, areas where this may be an effective solution to low soil Mg values are restricted by the availability of suitable products. Conversely, areas of low soil pH in England and Wales are often found close to quarries with the ability to supply high Ca limes, suggesting that the low rates of lime use and liming is not due to supply factors. This study provides information that can help to guide on-farm decision making for use of Mg-rich and other lime resources. This could be used in conjunction with other options to reduce risks of Mg deficiency in livestock, and improve soil pH.

scholarly journals Opportunities for Improving Feed Use Efficiency for Sustainable Dairy Production in Pakistan

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Muhammad Tariq
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Milk Replacer ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Feeding System ◽  
Dairy Animals ◽  
Use Efficiency

Buffalo and cattle are main dairy animals of Pakistan, making 30% of the total livestock. Out of total milk produced in the country, buffalo contributes about 68%, followed by cattle (27%), rest (5%) by sheep, goats, and camels. They are kept both in rural as well as peri-urban dairy production systems. These dairy animals mostly strive on low-quality feed stuffs including roughages and crop-residues with poor nutritive value resulting in poor production and reproduction performance. Recent investigations and published data show that there is also an issue of unjustified feeding without considering the production and physiological stages of dairy animals, resulting in overfeeding of non-productive and under-feeding of productive animals, leading to poor feed use efficiency. There is also no separate feeding system for different classes of dairy animals. Furthermore, in the prevailing dairy production scenario, there is absence of an efficient feeding system especially devised for growing heifers (kept as replacement herd) keeping in view their feeding requirements that could reduce their age at puberty with a significant reduction in the cost of feeding. Similarly, the introduction of milk replacer and early weaning of calves are very effective ways without any adverse effects on growth when given free access to good quality calf starter, and it could add to dairy economics. Fodder scarcity during the winter months (November to January) and summer (May–June) in Pakistan is another big constraint toward sustainable dairying. It is concluded that more efficient feed utilization in these dairy production systems could be achieved by developing innovative approaches and solutions (hay and silage making) to fight these scarcity periods and developments in dairy nutrition, like the establishment of nutrient requirements for dairy animals for local dairy breeds, adopting group feeding practices of dairy animals according to the stage of lactation and production status, and proper feeding systems for growing heifers and effective milk replacer feeding for calves. These practical and innovative steps could effectively lead to sustained dairy production in Pakistan.

scholarly journals A Spatial Analysis of Lime Resources and their Potential for Improving Soil Magnesium Concentrations and pH in Grassland Areas of England and Wales

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Bide ◽  
E. L. Ander ◽  
M. R. Broadley
Keyword(s):  
Soil Ph ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
British Geological Survey ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
North East ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Potential Demand ◽  
The Uk ◽  
On Farm

Abstract Magnesium (Mg) is essential for animal health. Low Mg status (hypomagnesaemia) can be potentially fatal in ruminants, like cattle and sheep, and is widespread in Europe with economic impacts on farming. The application of Mg-rich agricultural lime products can help to ensure pasture forage consumed by animals contains sufficient Mg and, in areas of low pH, has the dual benefit of reducing soil acidity to levels best suited for grass production. This aim of this study was to determine if Mg-rich lime products could be used in a more effective manner in agricultural production systems. Potential resources of carbonate rocks (limestone, dolostone and chalk) in the UK, and their Mg:Ca status were identified, using datasets from the British Geological Survey (BGS). These data were combined with the locations of agricultural lime quarries, and areas where soils are likely to be deficient in Mg and/or require liming.Areas of potential demand for Mg-rich agricultural lime include areas in south east Wales, the Midlands and North East England. Although, areas where this may be an effective solution to low soil Mg values are restricted by the availability of suitable products. Conversely, areas of low soil pH in England and Wales are often found close to quarries with the ability to supply high Ca limes, suggesting that the low rates of lime use and liming is not due to supply factors.This study provides information that can help to guide on-farm decision making for use of Mg-rich and other lime resources. This could be used in conjunction with other options to reduce risks of Mg deficiency in livestock, and improve soil pH.

Adoption and Commercialization of Green Corn, Green Corn –Based Silage, Haylage and Ummb Production for Dairy Cattle in Cagayan Valley, Philippines

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 82-92
Author(s):  
Eva U. Cammayo ◽  
Nilo E. Padilla
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Feed Resources ◽  
Dry Spell ◽  
Dairy Animals

This research aimed to improve dairy production and increase the income of dairy farmers using locally available feed resources. Small-scale milk producers rely heavily on available feed resources in the locality which are either indigenous in the area or introduced species for feed and nutrition of their dairy cattle and buffalos. Their milk output depends mainly on seasonal fluctuations in the quality and quantity of natural forage. Crop residues such as corn stover and rice straw which are high in fiber but low in nutrients serve as a feed supplement and filler to the daily diets of dairy cattle and buffalos. Cagayan Valley is an ear of top corn and rice-producing region. The potential of crop residues as feed supplements or raw materials of dairy cattle/buffalo feed mix is great. But dairy farmers still face the scarcity problem of quality feed resources for dairy animals especially during the dry season. The supply of forage is very low during the dry spell. Inadequate feed mix and low nutritive value of feed mix result in low or no milk production. Producing green corn and ensiling it to produce green corn silage preserves and prolong the storage life of forages. In this way, a stable supply of feed mix for dairy animals is assured year-round. Type of Paper: Empirical. Keywords: adoption and commercialization, dairy industry, financial viability, green-corn silage production, indigenous grasses, smallholder farmers.

Assessing and reducing the environmental impact of dairy production systems in the northern US in a changing climate

2021 ◽  
Vol 192 ◽  
pp. 103170
Author(s):  
Karin Veltman ◽  
C. Alan Rotz ◽  
Larry Chase ◽  
Joyce Cooper ◽  
Chris E. Forest ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Changing Climate
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