Dairy farmers looking to reduce their monthly spending on costly market feed can prepare a balanced ration at home using ingredients that are already available. Dr. Poonam Soren, principal associate veterinarian at Devghar Krishi Vigyan Kendra, has outlined a method that combines bran and rice straw with pulse husk and mineral mixture. The approach can help control feed costs while also addressing the nutritional needs of milk-producing animals.
Reducing dependence on costly market feed
Buying expensive grain and prepared animal feed from the market creates a substantial expense every month. Using ingredients available at home can ease that burden, but a ration should not be assembled with low cost as its only consideration. Each component must be added in the right amount for the animal. The mixture described by Soren can be prepared as a home feed for both dairy cows and buffaloes.
The ingredients and their proportions
The formula uses rice straw at about 25 percent and bran at 10 percent. Mineral mixture should make up about 20 percent, while pulse husk should be taken in an appropriate amount. No fixed percentage has been set for pulse husk, so it should be adjusted according to the stated proportions. Rock salt may also be added as needed.
- Rice straw: About 25 percent of the mixture.
- Bran: 10 percent.
- Mineral mixture: About 20 percent.
- Pulse husk: An appropriate amount.
All the ingredients should be blended thoroughly before the feed is offered to a cow or buffalo. The proportions should not be applied unchanged to every animal. When deciding the total quantity, farmers must consider the animal's health and milk-producing capacity along with its age and weight.
Potential effect on milk yield and thickness
The purpose of this ration is not merely to fill the animal's stomach. Adequate nutrition can affect the health and milk production of a dairy animal. Soren says a balanced feed may help increase milk yield. It may also make the milk thicker, which can be seen as an improvement in quality. Farmers should therefore avoid relying only on green fodder or straw and should prepare the mixture around the animal's needs.
Introduce the new feed gradually
The most important precaution is not to begin any new feed in a large quantity. The amount should be increased little by little. During this period, milk production and the animal's health should be monitored. A gradual transition makes it possible to observe the effect of the change and help the animal become accustomed to the new mixture. Sufficient clean water must also be available alongside the feed.
Green and dry fodder remain necessary
A home-prepared mixture does not remove the basic need for fodder. The animal should receive enough clean water, green fodder and dry fodder. These three elements form the basis of daily care, while the balanced ration helps meet nutritional requirements.
When specialist advice is needed
If an animal already has an illness, is pregnant or produces a very high amount of milk, farmers should seek advice from a veterinarian or animal nutrition specialist before deciding the quantity and composition of the feed. Specialist guidance is specifically advised in these three situations. With the correct amount and balance, a home-prepared ration can be a useful way to support animal nutrition and milk production, but the quantity must follow the individual animal's condition.
