Smallholder Dairy Production Systems Research Articles

Socio-economic Characterisation and Dairy Production System Maintained by Women Milk Producer Cooperative Societies in Indian Sundarban Region

The present study was undertaken to characterise socio economic pattern of WMPCS members and analyse small holder dairy production system including its constraints in the Indian Sundarban. A total of 160 respondents from six development blocks were interviewed with a pre tested questionnaire. 74.4 per cent of the farmers had age between 20–45 yr and 88 per cent of them were married, which reflects young and energetic attitude of the farmers. 46.9 per cent of the farmers had only primary level of education.63.5 per cent of the WMPCS members belonged to low income group (Rs 2500/--5000/-), evidently, net income from sale of milk by WMPCS members was found to be significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of informal dairy farmers. Herd size per household varied between 1.46 to 1.87 total livestock units (TLU); non-descript Indian zebu was the pre-dominant breed. 37.6 per cent respondents used artificial technique for breeding purpose. FEAST computer program was used to analyse feed resources of the area and it was found that the small holder dairy production system entirely depend upon grazing with little supplementation of concentrates. In the lean months of winters, residues of leguminous crops as well as mangrove leaves were used as fodders. Milk production of different cattle breeds varied significantly (P<0.01) and milk yield from cross-bred Jersey was maximum (1652 l/lactation). Principal constraint was lack of green fodder production for dairy farming.

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A performance profile of dairying in Bangladesh - programs, policies and way forwards

A national dairy performance profile is developed and described in this article reviewing the performance of the smallholder dairy production system, its backward and forward supports and existing development programs and policies; and based on the analyses further way forwards are described concisely. Inclusion of quality genes over the past decades of crossbreeding resulted in crossbred cows of about 47% with an average lactation yield of 1838 litre in 266 days, while the similar performance of a local cow is 619 litre in 230 days, respectively. Further, population increase of crossbred cows may increase milk production horizontally at the expense of genetic dilution. Nevertheless, a common plane of nutrition with the availability of 54.7 and 22.5% of annual requirement of metabolizable energy and digestible crude protein, respectively, may not uphold vertical improvement of dairying in Bangladesh. Local buffaloes, on the other hand, having only 635 litre lactation yield in 227 days share only 2.29% of the total liquid milk production, and unlocking potentials of dairy Buffaloes may boost milk production further. Creation of an enabling environment for multiplication of private dairy feed industry and community fodder production system; policy support to private entrepreneurs remain active in dairy marketing; reviewing and revising of present domestic support to dairy; establishment of easy credit and capital support to rural dairy farmers; strengthening of coordinated backward services of the public and private sector; capacity strengthening for dairy extension, research and education and human resource development are the way forwards for expediting the dairy industry in the country. An important and effective support to dairy would be capacity strengthening through establishing an autonomous organization for an enhanced coordinated support to both public and private sector with a clear authoritative mandate for setting policy priorities, institutional structures, priorities for research and extension and appropriation of adequate financial resources. Considering all the above suggestions an action plan may be formulated to meet the growing demand of milk in the present changing and challenging socio-economic condition of the country.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v43i2.20662 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2014. 43 (2): 81-103

Evaluation of Sustainability of Smallholder Dairy Production Systems in the Highlands of Mexico During the Rainy Season

A sustainability evaluation was undertaken with 22 smallholder dairy farms in the highlands of Mexico; following the IDEA method in the agroecological, socioterritorial, and economic scales (all scales are out of 100). Sustainability was highest for the agroecological scale (59/100), intermediate for the socioterritorial scale (53/100), and lowest on the economic scale (43/100). The sustainability of a farm is the lowest score of the three scales. In most farms, the lowest was the economic scale. A cluster analysis led to the identification of five distinct groups: Cluster 1 defined two farms not related to others, cluster 2 farms (4) were those with high agroecological scores, cluster 3 farms (8) were most representative of the area, cluster 4 included two farms with low socioterritorial and economic sustainability scores, and cluster 5 was made up of the remaining six farms with the highest economic sustainability score, but limited by the agroecological and socioterritorial scales. In all farms, there is a high reliance on bought-in inputs. Therefore, given the limited resources of these systems, the better option is to limit the number of cows to those that can be fed mostly with the production of the farm, which increases the economic sustainability. The IDEA method is a useful tool for sustainability assessment of small-scale dairy systems.

Performance of traditionally-managed Bunaji (White Fulani) cattle under smallholder dairy production systems in Oyo State, South-West, Nigeria

The remarkable reduction in tsetse fly and its vector trypanosomosis in the South-West zone of Nigeria have led to the development of smallholder dairy production which is predominantly practised by the Fulani agropastoralists in the zone. This study was conducted by the administration of structured questionnaires to farmers in the Derived savannah area of Oyo State in the South-West zone of Nigeria with aim of assessing the performance of traditionally managed Bunaji (White Fulani) cattle in this newly encroached zone by the Fulani pastoralists from the northern parts of the country. The survey showed that milk offtake or partial milk yield (0.6 kg/day), pregnancy rate (53.2%), calving rate (49.5%), calf crop (37.11%) and body condition score (4.3) were low and typical of tropical breeds of cattle. Also, average age at first calving (47.8 months) and calving interval (18.1 months) were on the high side. Majority (80%) of the dams produced their young ones during the wet season while a few ones (20%) calved during the dry season. Diarrhoea (84%), helminthosis (72%) and sand eating (64%) were the major diseases of calves in wet and dry season, respectively; whereas in addition to diarrhoea and sand eating, low milk production (90%) was peculiar to adult cattle in dry season. Calves’ overall mortality was 24.11% with majority (73.77%) occurring during the first week of life; it was higher in wet season (86.89%) compared to the dry season (13.11%). Overall mortality for adult cattle was 5.83% with the mortality, in contrast to the calves’ mortality, being higher in dry season (69.39%) than in wet season (30.61%), and the females (91.84%) more susceptible than the males (8.16%). The results indicate that the performance of traditionally-managed cattle in smallholder dairy production systems in Oyo State, South-West, Nigeria is poor and below their genetic potentials due to poor management. Keywords : Major diseases, mortality, milk offtake, reproductive performance, season

Use of lactation models to develop a cow performance monitoring tool in smallholder dairy farms

Abstract. Animal performance monitoring is of enormous value for management decision-making at the individual farmer level as well as for the industry and country as a whole. The aim of the study was to develop a performance monitoring tool for existing smallholder dairy production system based on lactation curves. For this purpose three equations of Wood (1967), critical exponential and double exponential were compared to evaluate their fitting and prediction ability. The full data set comprised of 11481 daily milk records for Holstein-Friesian in various stages of lactation. Data of 84 Holstein-Friesian cows was used to develop lactation curves. Within each lactation, only milk yield from calving until 330 days post-calving were used. The three models were evaluated using three criteria which were the amount of variation accounted for by the model (coefficient of determination), b-value and distribution of residuals. Based on these criteria, the double exponential equation was selected for developing the cow performance monitoring (CPM) curve. The CPM curve was developed based on the mean lactation curve with its confidence interval generating the upper and lower limits. The CPM curve had high prediction rates (sensitivity=93% and specificity=93%) hence efficient enough to guide routine management of dairy animals in smallholder farms.

Characterisation of smallholder dairy production systems using animal welfare and milk quality

The aim of the current study was to characterise and evaluate production system of smallholder dairy farmers using an index based on combined score of animal welfare and milk quality. Farms were grouped into three categories, tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3. To test the robustness of the characterisation, milk yield (MY), calving interval (CI) and body condition scores (BCS) were used. In the study area, the majority (66.3%) of smallholder dairy farmers practiced cut-and-carry as compared to 15.3% who grazed their cows. The rest combined cut-and-carry and grazing. Cows of farmers in tier 1 had the lowest mean MY (5.4 kg/day, SE = 0.4), lowest mean BCS (2.1 kg/day, SE = 0.09) and longest mean CI (603 days, SE = 27) than farmers in tier 3, mean MY (10.8 kg/day, SE = 0.6), mean BCS (2.6, SE = 0.06) and mean CI (404 days, SE = 17). The study demonstrated that a simple and yet novel method based on farm level indicators can be developed and could assist to timely identify specific problems on the farm.

Breeding and conservation programmes for Sahiwal cattle genetic resources in the tropics: a review

Studies on Sahiwal cattle genetic resources in the tropics have mainly concentrated on evaluating their performance levels, with only a few published reports describing the breed characteristics. The aim of this study was to critically examine the existing breeding and conservation programmes for Sahiwal cattle in the tropics, focusing on Pakistan, India and Kenya as the core regions of development. The study was based on review of both published and unpublished literature highlighting shortcomings and strengths in the existing strategies, and opportunities for improvement and conservation. The Sahiwal breed is utilized for dairy and beef production under smallholder dairy, pastoral extensive and ranching production systems, both as pure-breds or cross-breds. The necessary components to strengthen the breeding programmes such as performance recording, genetic evaluation and artificial insemination (AI) facilities exist to differing degrees. Breeding and conservation efforts benefit from the technical and financial support from government research institutions which also provide incentives to enhance participation in the programmes. However, breeding goals are rather informal and only defined in terms of high-production levels with functional traits largely ignored. There is need for participatory identification of breeding and production goals, and structured cooperation of the small herds, so as to accommodate the specific contributions of the breed in future breeding and conservation programmes.

The Use of Rose Bengal Plate Test to Asses Cattle Exposure to Brucella Infection in Traditional and Smallholder Dairy Production Systems of Tanga Region of Tanzania

A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and to identify risk factors for bovine brucellosis seropositivity in traditional and smallholder dairy cattle production systems in the Tanga region of North-eastern Tanzania. The study populations comprised 246 indigenous and 409 crossbred cattle, randomly selected from 105 smallholder dairy and 25 traditional managed herds, respectively. Individual animal and herd-level data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Serum samples were screened for Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal Plate Test The overall seroprevalence of Brucella antibodies in the smallholder dairy and traditional managed cattle was 4.1% and 7.3% respectively. The corresponding overall herd prevalence was 10.5% and 20% respectively. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, closeness to stock route, access to surface drinking water and location were identified as the major risk factors for individual herd seroprevalence. Older animals (≥6 years) were associated with increased risk of sero-positivity compared to animals of age category of ≤6 years. The results showed that brucellosis is prevalent and widely distributed locally, underscoring the need for further studies including surveillance and institution of preventive and control measures particularly among female young-stock and the general public who are at high risk of contracting brucellosis.

Improving Dairy Production in India's Rainfed Agroecosystem: Constraints and Strategies

A rainfed agroecosystem occupies 68% of India's cultivated area and supports 40% of the human and 65% of the livestock population. Dairy production is an important component of rural development programmes in rainfed areas to improve the livelihoods of farmers. The objective of the study was to characterize the status of smallholder dairy production systems in rainfed areas to generate information that would assist in designing strategies for dairy development programmes. These objectives were achieved by adopting a participatory system approach, which uses diagnostic survey and techniques of participatory rural appraisal. The dairy production systems in rainfed areas are complex and are generally based on traditional and socioeconomic considerations, guided largely by the available feed resources. A scarcity of feed and fodder resources (both quantity and quality), the low production potential of animals, the non-availability of critical inputs or services in time, along with access to capital and markets, were the primary reasons for the low productivity of dairy animals. The study suggests that farmer participation is essential for developing and promoting technical interventions. A favourable policy environment in terms of access to microcredit, assured market and veterinary services will have to be provided, and socioeconomic and technical constraints need to be addressed. Animal health camps and on-farm trials need to be conducted to create awareness among farmers about better dairy production practices.

Recilia banda Kramer (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), a vector of Napier stunt phytoplasma in Kenya

Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is the most important fodder crop in smallholder dairy production systems in East Africa, characterized by small zero-grazing units. It is also an important trap crop used in the management of cereal stemborers in maize in the region. However, production of Napier grass in the region is severely constrained by Napier stunt disease. The etiology of the disease is known to be a phytoplasma, 16SrXI strain. However, the putative insect vector was yet unknown. We sampled and identified five leafhopper and three planthopper species associated with Napier grass and used them as candidates in pathogen transmission experiments. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), based on the highly conserved 16S gene, primed by P1/P6-R16F2n/R16R2 nested primer sets was used to diagnose phytoplasma on test plants and insects, before and after transmission experiments. Healthy plants were exposed for 60 days to insects that had fed on diseased plants and acquired phytoplasma. The plants were then incubated for another 30 days. Nested PCR analyses showed that 58.3% of plants exposed to Recilia banda Kramer (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) were positive for phytoplasma and developed characteristic stunt disease symptoms while 60% of R. banda insect samples were similarly phytoplasma positive. We compared the nucleotide sequences of the phytoplasma isolated from R. banda, Napier grass on which these insects were fed, and Napier grass infected by R. banda, and found them to be virtually identical. The results confirm that R. banda transmits Napier stunt phytoplasma in western Kenya, and may be the key vector of Napier stunt disease in this region.

Smallholder dairy production and markets: A comparison of production systems in Zambia, Kenya and Sri Lanka

Three smallholder dairy production systems in Zambia, Sri Lanka and Kenya are analysed and compared. The focus is on the relationships between the animal production system, the farm household system, and the institutional environment. Attention is given to the valuation of marketed and non-marketed products and the intangible benefits of livestock in insurance, financing and status display. The comprehensive and comparative analysis of the production systems shows the direct relationship between type and intensity of dairy production and the presence or absence of markets for milk and other products, services and employment. The generally unobserved income components resulting from products other than milk and from the intangible benefits prove to be a substantial proportion of the total income in all three systems. The comprehensive perspective on the dairy production system results in policy suggestions that include institutional linkages.

Impact of an AI Heifer Calf Rearing Scheme on Dairy Stock Development in the Western Province of Sri Lanka

This study evaluated the impact of an AI heifer calf rearing scheme on dairy stock development, in a coconut grazing and a peri-urban smallholder dairy production system in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. The heifer rearing scheme included free advice on calf rearing, drugs, acaricides, minerals and subsidised concentrates for 30 months. The farmers in the coconut growing area integrate dairying with their plantation, they sell their milk to the main processors. The peri-urban farmers are intensive milk producers, who sell their milk at informal markets. To estimate the effect of the heifer rearing scheme on dairy replacement stock development, scheme farmers were compared with farmers who did not participate in the scheme. Calf mortality was twice as high in non-scheme farms (23-28%) as in scheme farms (12-14%). The scheme had a positive effect on weight development and scheme heifers calved 4.5 months earlier than non-scheme heifers. The calf rearing package is cost effective in both farming systems, however, the required cash inputs are a major constraint. The costs per in-calf heifer under the scheme are much lower than the production of such animals by either multiplication in state farms or importing them. The coconut grazing system showed the highest potential for producing surplus dairy stock.

Smallholder Dairy Production Systems in Developing Countries : Characteristics, Potential and Opportunities for Improvement - Review -

Smallholder Dairy Production Systems in Developing Countries : Characteristics, Potential and Opportunities for Improvement - Review -

Influence of Production Circumstances and Economic Evaluation Criteria on Economic Comparison of Breeds and Breed Crosses

The ranking of genotypes (i.e., breeds and breed crosses) for economic performance depends on the production circumstances of the herd and the criteria for economic evaluation. In this study, the effects of evaluation criteria and production circumstance are quantified using data from the literature on six genotypes. The economic evaluation criteria measured at herd level included lifetime profit and lifetime profit expressed per day of calving interval, per day of productive lifetime, per day of total herd life, per unit of milk, and per unit of feed energy. Four production circumstances were studied; these circumstances included constraints on the output of milk and on herd use of concentrates, roughages, and both concentrates and roughages. Profit was determined based on the sale of milk, calves, cull cows, and heifers and the expenses incurred for concentrates and roughages, animal deaths, milking time, interest, and other inputs.Results indicate that production circumstances and evaluation criteria largely influence the ranking of genotypes and, therefore, the outcome of economic comparisons. The genotype that ranks the best under a certain criteria and circumstance ranks differently when these situations are altered. In economic comparisons of genotypes aimed at offering recommendations for implementation in smallholder dairy production systems in the tropics, the choice of the evaluation criteria should be determined by the limitation or constraint that characterizes the area where the genotypes are to produce or are currently producing. For example, for situations in which feed availability is limiting, genotypes should be ranked on total profit per unit of feed energy.

Effect of dam nutrition and suckling on lactation in Borana cows and growth in their Borana × Friesian crossbred calves in an early weaning system in Ethiopia

AbstractForty-four Borana × Friesian F1 crossbred calves born to Borana (Bos indicus) cows were randomly assigned to either suck their dams hvice daily or bucket-feeding with 1341 milk over a 57-day pre-weaning period. Their dams were also allocated either to a supplement group with grass hayad libitumand 5 kg per head per day of a concentrate ration or to an unsupplemented group withad libitumgrass hay only. Calves were fed in individual boxes in a calf house. The mean birth weight of calves was 24·8 (s.e. 1·8) kg. Suckled calves were heavier (P &lt; 0·01) at weaning (47·7 (s.e. 1·9) v.37·1 (s.e. 1·8) kg) and had faster pre-weaning growth rate (411 (s.e. 30)v.215 (s.e. 29) g/day) than bucket-fed calves. Calves which sucked supplemented cows were heavier (P &lt; 0·001) at weaning (51·2 (s.e. 2·6)v. 44·2 (s.e. 2·6) kg), had faster (P &lt; 0·01) pre-weaning growth rate (477 (s.e. 41)v.346 (s.e. 41) glday) and higher (P&lt;0·01) daily milk intake (2·6 (s.e. 0·2)v.1·6 (s.e. 0·2) I/day) than those which sucked unsupplemented cows. Mean concentrate intake was 302 (s.e. 30) g/day for bucket-fed calves and 341 (s.e. 33) and 408 (s.e. 33) g/day for calves which sucked supplemented and unsupplemented cows. Cow milk production was higher (P &lt; 0·01) in suckled than in milked cows (3·3 (s.e. 0·2)v.1·0 (s.e. 0·2) I/day) and in supplemented than unsupplemented cows (3·9 (s.e. 0·2)v.2·7 (s.e. 0·2) I/day). Concentrations of milk protein, fat and total solids averaged 39 (s.e. 15), 49 (s.e. 16) and 143 (s.e. 21) g/kg, respectively and were not significantly influenced by either concentrate supplementation or suckling. Restricted suckling and early weaning coupled with appropriate calf and cow feeding regimes could be one of the alternatives for calf rearing under smallholder and small scale peri-urban dairy production systems. However, further studies are warranted to evaluate the effects of such a strategy on both calf and cow performances under these production systems.