Cow farming and feed

Question

Sathiyavarsha K · Answer

1. Cow Farming Overview
Aspect	Details
Purpose	Milk production, calf rearing, or breeding
Best Breeds for Milk	Gir, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Tharparkar (Indigenous) and HF, Jersey, or crossbreeds (for high yield)
Housing System	Semi-open shed with good ventilation and drainage
Ideal Space Requirement	40–50 sq. ft. per adult cow, 20–25 sq. ft. per calf
Temperature Range	18–30°C (shade or cooling needed during summer)
Daily Routine	3 feeding times, 2 milking sessions, regular cleaning, and rest period
2. Feed Types and Balanced Nutrition Plan

Cows require a balanced combination of green fodder, dry fodder, and concentrate feed to maintain milk yield and health.

Feed Type	Example	Quantity (per cow/day)	Nutritional Role
Green Fodder	Maize, Napier, Berseem, Sorghum	25–30 kg	Provides energy, vitamins, and minerals
Dry Fodder	Wheat straw, rice straw	6–8 kg	Provides fiber for proper digestion
Concentrate Mixture	Grain mix (Maize, Bran, Oil cake, Mineral mix)	4–6 kg (depending on milk yield)	Energy and protein source
Mineral Mixture + Salt	Commercial mineral mixture + salt lick	50–100 g	Maintains fertility and milk production
Clean Water	Fresh water (always available)	40–60 liters/day	Required for digestion and metabolism
3. Feed Plan According to Milk Yield
Milk Yield (per day)	Concentrate Feed (per day)
Up to 5 liters	2 kg
6–10 liters	3–4 kg
10–15 liters	5–6 kg
Above 15 liters	6–8 kg

Rule of thumb: For every 2.5 liters of milk, 1 kg concentrate is required.

4. Feeding Schedule
Time	Type of Feed
Morning (6–7 AM)	Green fodder + concentrate + water
Noon (12–1 PM)	Dry fodder + water
Evening (6–7 PM)	Green fodder + concentrate + water
5. Additional Tips

Always feed green fodder first, then dry fodder, and finally water.

Avoid sudden changes in feed type.

Store dry fodder in a cool, dry place.

Use chaffed fodder (cut into small pieces) for better digestion.

Include yeast culture or probiotics occasionally to improve gut health.

Maintain a record of each cow’s milk yield and feed intake.