HOUSING:

• Avoid water-logging, marshy and heavy rainfall areas
• Construct shed on dry, properly raised ground
• The cattle shed should be well ventilated
• Provide proper shade and cool drinking water in summer
• Provide individual bedding daily
• Maintain sanitary condition around shed
• Control external parasites (ticks, flies etc.)
• Drain urine into collection pits and then to the field through irrigation channels
• A standing space of 1.2 x 1.5 metre for each animal is needed

SELECTION OF ANIMAL:

• Select healthy, high yielding animal
• Purchase freshly calved animals in their second/third lactation
• Before purchasing ascertain actual milk yield by milking the animal three times con secuctively.
• Vaccinate the newly purchased animal against disease
• Keep the newly purchased animals under observation for a period of about two weeks and then mix with the general herd
• Purchase the second animal after 5-6 months from the purchases of first animal
• As buffaloes are seasonal calvers purchase them during July to February

FEEDING OF MILCH ANIMALS

• Feed the animals with best feeds and fodders
• Give adequate green fodder in the ration
• Cut the fodder at the right stage of their growth
• Crush the grains and concentrates
• Provide adequate vitamins and minerals
• Provide adequate and clean water

MILKING OF ANIMALS

• Milk the animals two to three times a day
• Milk at fixed times
• Milk the animal in a clean place
• Milking should be done with full hands, quickly and completely followed by stripping
• Wash the udder and teat with antiseptic lotions

PROTECTION AGAINST DISEASES

• De-worm the animals regularly
• Wash the animals from time to time to promote sanitation
• Protect the animals against common diseases
• Examine the faeces of adult animals to detect egg of internal parasites and treat the  animals with suitable drugs
• Conduct periodic tests for brucellosis, tuberculosis, johns disease, mastitis etc

BREEDING CARE:

• Observe the animal closely and keep specific record of its coming in heat, duration of heat, insemination, conception and calving
• Breed the animals when it is in peck heat period.

The companies involved in the dairy industry presently have come up with various innovative practices and technologies to manage the animals. These companies exhibit their latest technologies and know-hows for the industry in various industrial seminars and exhibitions. To know more about the prevalent practices, the farmers and interested companies should visit such industrial events.

Article Author:

DR.H.A.PATEL ,  DR.R.K.ODEDRA ,  S.R.THAKER , R.P.SOLANKI