Comparative study of feeding and breeding management practices of dairy farmers in two different production systems

Abstract

A field survey was conducted in peri urban and urban areas of Hyderabad city of Telangana state. The data was collected from hundred farmers selected from ten mandals by simple random sampling method for the study. The data on feeding and breeding management practices was collected by personal contact by using a pre-tested questionnaire. The study revealed that farmers followed colostrum feeding to new born calves, fed concentrates in soaked form before milking to the lactating animals, practiced hay making, provided extra allowance during advanced pregnancy and fed mineral supplements. Proper heat detection and insemination of the animals at right time was significantly (P>0.01) higher in peri urban areas than urban area. Majority of farmers followed combination of A.I and natural service for mating of their animals. Most of the farmers followed pregnancy diagnosis at three months in the peri urban (82.0%) area than in urban (36.0%) area. Majority of the dairy farmers bred their animals between 3-5 months after calving in urban and peri-urban areas. Overall farmers were well aware of scientific and organized herd management practices.