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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center » Dairy Forage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #254648
Title: Snap-shot Assessment of Resource Use and Production Small-holder Dairy Farms in Uttar Pradesh, INDIA

Author
item Powell, Joseph

Submitted to: Proceedings of Babcock Institute Technical Workshop
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/27/2010
Publication Date: 6/2/2010
Citation: Powell, J.M. 2010. Snap-shot Assessment of Resource Use and Production on Small-holder Dairy Farms in Uttar Pradesh, India. Case Study Vol. 1, No. 1. The Babcock Institute for International Dairy Research and Development. University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Estimates of feed, milk and manure are needed to understand relationships between resource use and production, and identify potential interventions that could enhance overall dairy system sustainability. This report describes the survey methods used and results obtained for quantifying dairy herd structures, feed inputs and milk and manure outputs in small-holder dairy farming systems in Uttar Pradesh, India. Rations for buffaloes and dairy cows were similar comprising mostly freshly cut barseem (Egyptian clover), wheat straw, concentrates and mustard cake. Estimated daily dry matter (per animal) offer for buffaloes ranged from 11.8 to 24.7 kg and for cows from 16.2 to 17.6 kg. More detailed information on concentrations of crude protein, energy, minerals, etc. in rations would be needed to calculate relative amounts of feed nutrients secreted in milk and excreted in manure, and for setting production goals, optimizing the use of purchased feeds and estimating manure availability. Determinations of the amount and quality of crop residues and forage available would be needed to estimate livestock carry capacities, how best to combine local feeds with imported concentrates, setting production goals, etc. Research and development could be targeted towards improving forage conservation and use. Manure collection was reportedly 80% to 90% of total manure production. Of total collected manure, approximately 50% is spread directly on arable land, 40% is used for fuel, and the remainder is composted and applied to vegetables. Experimentation in farmers’ fields could be designed to address questions such as when, where, and how much manure to apply, and the combination of manure and manure ash with small doses of fertilizer.