A study on milk production and management practices of household and commercial dairy farms in Barura Upazilla,Cumilla

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine the present status including general information, feeding, rearing, housing, milking, health management, and milk production indifferent dairy farms. With this view, the empirical data were collected by using a predefined questionnaire. The study was conducted at Barura Upazilla in Cumilla district, and two months-long survey was carried out on 17 farms (smallholdings to commercial). The data was collected through direct contracts with farmers. Results show that 65% offarm owners rearcrossbred and 35% rear indigenous cattle. The average body weight was 175± 3.5 kg per animal in the study area. Daily milk yield/cow/farm was 5.5±0.11liter for a crossbred animal and 2.38±0.09 liters for an indigenous dairy cow.The amount of average 1.92± 0.07kg concentrate provided per cow. Here observed that the average roughage amount was 10.18± 0.14kg for a per cow. Although the dairy cow owners face problems, the study observed that there were potentials, particularly for the small dairyfarmers.