Study on management and milk production of indigenous cows at Trishal in Mymensingh

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the current state of small dairy farms, including general information, feeding, housing, milking as well as the productive performance of indigenous cows. With this in mind, empirical data was gathered via a structured questionnaire. The study was conducted in Trishal area. Data were collected from 46 respondents in a 2.5 month survey to explore the knowledge about the management and milk production of indigenous cows. Most of the farmers reared their cows in semi-intensive system housed on the mud floor, graze on pastureland, feed straw, rice polish, wheat bran, and broken rice. Few farmers provide manufactured cattle feed. Only 15.22% of cattle were administered anthelmintics within the last 6 months. The average body condition score was found 2.40 where the highest score was 3 (17.39%) and the lowest was 2 (21.74%). The rest (60.87%) scored 2.5. The cows produce 1.46 liter milk per day averagely. To improve the scenario more research is required and demands to raise awareness of the farmers about cattle management.