Specifications for Concentrate Feed

Characteristic Requirement	Type 1	Type 2
Moisture (max%)	11	11
Crude protein (min%)	22	20
Crude fat (min%)	3.0	2.5
Crude fibre (max%)	7	12
Acid insoluble ash (max%)	3.0	4.0
Salt (%)	1.5	1.3
Calcium ( % )	0.8	0.8
Phosphorus ( % )	0.5	0.5

In terms of Digestible Nutrients the Concentrate Feed should have 12 – 14% Digestible Protein and 68 – 72 % of Total Digestible Nutrients . While preparing the feed , recommended size and uniformity of particles of feed ingredients should be maintained.

To make the Dairying more profitable correct Breed has to be selected. As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned , for Plains the Jersey crosses and for Hilly areas Friesian crosses are recommended. In recent times there is increased willingness to do Dairying with Native Breeds. The Native Breeds of Tamil Nadu are not bred for milk production. They are bred for draught purpose. Their milk production is very poor. But some Breeds in Haryana and Punjab like Sahiwal, Tharparker ,Red sindhi , Gir are of milk type with daily average production of about 7-8 litres .

Breeds of Cows and Buffaloes

The productive parameters in cross bred cows depend up on the extent of exotic blood in them.

Jersey crosses:
Lactation milk yield :2500 -3000 kilo
Milk Fat 4.0%
Age at First calving : 26 -30 months
Calving Interval : 13 -14 months

Friesian Crosses:
Lactation milk yield :3,000 - 4,500 kilo
Milk Fat 3.5%
Age at First calving : 25 -30 months
Calving Interval : 13 -14 months

Gir:
Lactation milk yield : 1200 -1880 kilo
Milk Fat 4.5%
Age at First calving : 45-54 months

Shahiwal:

Lactation milk yield : 2200 kilo
Milk Fat 4.5%
Age at First calving : 37-48 months
Calving Interval : 14 - 15 months

Red Sindhi:
Lactation milk yield : 2000 kilo
Milk Fat 4.0- 4.5%
Age at First calving : 45 months
Calving Interval : 14 -15months

Tharparkar:
Lactation milk yield :1800 - 2000 kilo
Milk Fat 4.0- 4.5%
Age at First calving : 38 -42 months
Calving Interval : 14 -15months

Murrah Buffalo:
Lactation milk yield : 1500 -2500 kilo
Milk Fat 7.0- 8.3%
Age at First calving : 4 -50 months
Calving Interval : 15 – 17 months

Surthi:
Lactation milk yield : 900 - 1300 kilo
Milk Fat 7.5 – 8.5 %
Age at First calving : 40 -50 months
Calving Interval : 20 months

Breeds of Buffaloes

There are Two Buffalo breeds in Tamil Nadu. They are 1.Thoda Buffalo 2. Bargur Buffalo. Just like native cows, these Native Buffaloes are poor yielders. But some Breeds in Haryana and Punjab like Murrah and Surthi are better milk producers. Most of the Buffalo farms have either Murrah or Surthi.

Before purchasing the cow ascertain whether semen of that breed is available for Artificial Insemination. The Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Tamil Nadu maintain quality Bulls of Jersey, Holstein Friesian, Crossbred Jersey, Crossbred Holstein Friesian, Red Sindhi, Kangayam, Umbalacheri, Bargur, Pulikulam,Tharparkar, Sahiwal and Murrah Buffalo and produce quality semen for insemination through Veterinary Hospitals (Policy Note of Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Tamil Nadu, 2021-22.) . Buffaloes utilize crop residues in a better way than cows. So Buffaloes are more suited for integration in Dry land farming than Cows.

Cow Milk Vs Buffalo Milk

Buffalo milk has a higher fat, protein, lactose, vitamin, and mineral particularly Calcium content than cow's milk. Cow milk has 3-4 percent of fat, while buffalo milk has about 7-8 percent. It is also whiter and has a thicker consistency, which makes it perfect for the production of fat-based dairy products. It is obvious that buffalo milk contains more calories as it is high in protein and fat. 1 cup of buffalo milk contains 237 calories, while 1 cup of cow milk contains 148 calories.

While purchasing a Dairy cow selection must be based on : Total milk yield in a Lactation , Number of calvings , Age at first calving, Dry period , Calving Interval, Number of Inseminations for successful conception ,Udder health, Nature of the milk vein, Distance between the Hip joint, Previous history of Diseases and Reproductive problems etc,. Purchasing a cow in it’s second or third calving is better. Ascertain the milk yield by actually milking the cow both in morning and evening continuously for 2-3 days . Do not buy the Cows from shandies.

Calf Management

The Calf management is very a very important activity for profitable Dairying.

Ensure recommended birth weight of calves through good feeding management of Cows during pregnancy. Followings are the birth weight of calves of different breeds in Kilograms: Ensure recommended birth weight of calves through good feeding management of Cows during pregnancy. Followings are the birth weight of calves of different breeds in Kilograms:

Red Sindhi	23
Gir	22
Tharparkar	24
Jersey	25
Friesian	40
Murrah	30

• Feed Colostrum within 10 -15 minutes of birth and again 10 -12 hours of birth.
• Separate the calf from mother on the day of birth or four days after birth and maintain separately.
• New born calves be fed milk at the rate of one tenth of its body weight. 5% of it’s body weight for first two months and 2% of it’s body weight from third month onwards.
• Offer tender grass or Hydroponic fodder from second week of age and include Calf starter concentrate feed after 3 weeks of birth.
• If milk is not sufficient , introduce Milk Replacers.
• Ensure regular Deworming. First deworming be done at 45th day and once in a month. Consult and take the advice of a qualified Veterinarian.
• Calves should attain the body weight twice it’s birth weight at two months of age and four times of birth weight at six months of age.
• Do not over feed the calf and make it obese.
• On the day of birth add 80 mg Aureomycin in milk and feed.
• On second day give 10,000 IU of Vitamin A injection.
• On third day give two spoonful of Piperazine orally. After 6 hours give 30 ml of Liquid Paraffin orally.
• On seventh day repeat three spoonful of Piperazine orally.
• It is better to feed Cod Liver oil once in a week
• Mix 33 mg. of Nitrofurazone per Kg body weight in the milk for 15 days.
• Vaccinate against Foot and Mouth Disease at 2 months of age and repeat it once in six month.

Heifer management up to it’s pregnancy

• The Feed Management for Heifer should be aimed to make them to attain sexual maturity at the earliest. At the same time do not over feed the Heifer and make it obese.
• Even though they attain sexual maturity, the Heifers should be bred only when they reach the optimal body weight of 180 -200 kg in Cross bred Heifers and 300 kg in Buffalo Heifers.
• Feed the Heifers with concentrate feed supplement, Green fodder and Dry fodder.
• The Crossbred Heifers reach this body weight at 14 -16 months and buffalo Heifers take three and Half years.
• Depending up on the body weight the Heifers should be fed with 1.5 -2.0 kg concentrate mixture, 25 -30 kg Green grass and ad libitum of Straw per day with regular deworming and proper vaccination .
• When the Heifers become pregnant feed them with 2.0 kg additional concentrate mixture from last three months of pregnancy.
  
  

About the Author

Prof Dr M Murugan- Consultant, Animal Nutrition, Animeta AgriTech YourFarm . Former Dean, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai. Animal Nutrition Specialist with 35+ years of experience in the field of Teaching, Research and Technology transfer to farming communities. His field of Research is Fodder production with special emphasis to Agroforestry systems and the class of livestock is small ruminant. Dr. M.Murugan has published 43 Research papers in both National and International Journals. He has also published 45 Popular articles ,authored 5 books and 2 manuals. His research articles are cited in several text books. He is the member of several Professional bodies like Indian Poultry Science Association Dairy Technology Society of India , Animal Nutrition Society of India and Tamil Nadu Veterinary Council.