Interventions in feeding systems and management of dairy animals- food security strategy in livestock sector
Author(s):
Indhu Prathibha A, Bhanu Rekha V, Ajay Kumar VJ, Nithya Quintoil M and Abhishek Madan
Abstract:
As the global population is constantly increasing humanity faces enormous challenges to feed the growing population. Dairy foods play an important role in providing nutrient and energy dense sources of calories. This article reviews the interventions that can be applied by the farmers to the existing feeding and management systems of dairy cattle to increase their productivity. Productivity of animals can be increased by feeding them with supplements, feed additives and also by minimising the production losses by corrective managemental practices. Feeding of 50 g fenugreek per Kg increases the milk production by 0.67 litres per day. Feeding of 50 g asparagus root increases the milk production by 12.72 per cent in 2 months. Feeding of 1.5 kg fresh azolla, 1 Kg maize per 100 Kg body weight and 15 g yeast increases milk production per day by 1.30, 1.0 and 0.5 litres respectively. Managemental practices such as deworming increases the milk production by 33 per cent, spray cooling of cows in summer months to reduce the heat stress increases milk production by 0.7 litres per day. Prevention and control of mastitis is an important mangemental aspect which can prevent large volumes of milk from being wasted. Application of these interventions which are locally available and inexpensive increases milk production thereby contributing to food security.
How to cite this article:
Indhu Prathibha A, Bhanu Rekha V, Ajay Kumar VJ, Nithya Quintoil M and Abhishek Madan. Interventions in feeding systems and management of dairy animals- food security strategy in livestock sector. The Pharma Innovation Journal. 2020; 9(8S): 109-111.