In India, cows are primarily fed with green and dry fodder. Cows should not be given any cooked food or citric fruits. The only acceptable food for cows is grass, brawn, and cotton-seeds soaked in water. Rice residues are also acceptable, but not recommended. Read on for some examples. In India, there are three main types of feeds: grass, green fodder, and compound feeds.
Contents
Dry straw
Traditionally, in India, dry straw is used as a feed for dairy cows. But, today, it is widely used as a substitute for hay in rations for replacement heifers. It should be mixed with grain to increase its nutrient content. It can be fed daily or on a free-choice basis. Feeding straw during the morning will force ewes to eat straw during the day, even though it is not an ideal for milk production.
Despite being the world’s largest producer of milk, India’s feed supply remains deficient. India has low per-animal productivity, and its availability of lush green forages is a major concern. For this reason, farmers in many regions rely on dry straw as their primary source of feed. Small farmers, however, often can’t afford this method of feeding cows. In fact, the government of India has predicted a 33% shortage of green forage by 2017!
Green fodder
A diet rich in green fodder is necessary for dairy animals. A cow needs around 2.5 to 3% of its body weight as green fodder each day. A buffalo needs about thirty kilograms of fodder every day, while a cow needs about twenty kilograms. It is recommended that cows consume 60% green wet fodder and 40% dry. Of these, 25% should be made up of leguminous species, and the remaining seventy percent should be made up of monocot grasses. Green fodder made from finger millet stubbles, sorghum straw, and dicot gram herbage are the best types.
Farmers can prepare green fodder with very little effort. It takes about 90 days for a pit to be ready. If it is prepared properly, it can have a PH of 5.8, and a lactic acid concentration of 0.1 percent. In some areas, there is a severe shortage of green fodder. As a result, cattle in these areas can suffer from malnutrition. A solution to the problem may be in the form of expensive concentrates that can cost up to Rs 20 per kilogram.
Compound feeds
Compound feed for cows is a mixture of various concentrate feed ingredients. Common ingredients of this feed include grains, brans, protein meals, chunnies, and agro-industrial by-products. It is available in cubes, pellets, or mash forms. It is an excellent source of essential nutrients for growing animals. In addition, its regular use will increase the milk production and profitability of dairy farms.
The dietary inclusion of MGM, RGM, and GNC had different effects on performance of Sahiwal calves. Higher N retention and growth rates were found with the replacement of GNC by 75%. The nutritional value of MGM and RGM was similar when measured according to intake, digestibility, and growth. This study will provide a valuable guide for livestock producers and feed manufacturers in developing sustainable livestock farming practices.
Sugarcane tops
In the dry state of Maharashtra, cattle producers are turning to sugarcane tops for feed. Sugarcane is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and other nutrients. It can help in meeting the fodder requirements of moderately producing dairy cows. When fed as a whole, sugarcane can provide about 40-45 percent of a cow’s daily requirement. Depending on the species of the cow, up to 20 kilograms of sugarcane tops per day can be fed, but supplementation is necessary to overcome the oxalate issue.
The Indian researchers found that sugarcane tops have higher digestibility than hay and other cereal crops. The silage obtained from the tops has an absorption rate of 47.8%, making it a suitable feed for crossbred cattle. The results of these studies indicate that sugarcane tops are a highly nutritious and economical feed for cows. The researchers recommend that farmers use sugarcane tops in the diet of both buffalo and cows.
Grain
In India, most dairy farmers still use wheat or rice husk to feed cows. They also feed them oilseed cakes. They recommend feeding cows grains as a short-term solution to a problem that affects many farmers. In fact, a majority of cows in India are suffering from protein and energy deficiency. Adding grains to the diet helps the cows become healthier, which will eventually improve their milk production.
During a recent conference held by the International Livestock Research Institute, Jimmy Smith presented winning solutions to feed cows in India. His presentation focused on addressing the rapidly increasing dairy demand in India, especially among smallholder farmers. The presentation highlighted several key challenges that farmers in India face, including disease and infertility. The need to find better alternatives for feeding cows in the country is pressing, particularly given the country’s rapid growth and the need to combat climate change.