Analysis of management systems in homestead dairy production units

Abstract

The present study was carried out with a view of estimating objectively the existing practices of management components of inputs and cost of milk production in the rural unorganised and organised areas The study was carried out in Kalady panchayat of Ernakulam district The required data was collected from the households by direct observation and personal interview using a pre tested schedule Cattle buffalo and goats were the livestock species mainly reared by farmers Most of the dairymen had a single cow unit A reduction m herd strength was noticed in all the holdings during the last five years Majority of farmers raised their own replacement stock Regarding purchase of animals farmers generally preferred adult cows than heifers or calves Farmers considered attributes like milk production appearance and confirmation colour temperament and age of animals price and also his financial position before purchasing animals Majority of households had pucca cattle sheds and the remaining had kutcha sheds Lean to type houses were more in number than independent houses as it was easier to construct and incurred low construction cost Most of the sheds had feeding mangers The standing space provided for cows in the sheds were more than the space recommended and the width of manger was less than the space recommended by both KAU and ICAR The types of feed fed to livestock are compounded feed concentrate cakes roughages and crop by products and residues The feed stuffs were mainly purchased from private shops markets or co operative societies None of the farmers purchased green fodder they mainly depended on fodder collected from field bunds and other agricultural lands The study revealed the allocation of feed stuff It was higher for animals m milk followed by pregnant and dry cows and heifers It was observed that dairymen of both organised and unorganised sectors fed DCP and TDN m excess of NRC recommendations More attention was bestowed on the feeding of female calves than male calves as majority of farmers were interested m raising replacements In the study area AI was the predominant practise in breeding The study revealed that a large proportion of dairymen were not aware of heat signs and the right time for inseminating their animals The longer calving interval was due to poor heat detection conception failure and deliberate skipping of heat by farmers