Status and cost of raising replacement dairy heifers in rural, rural conmiercial and pen-urban areas of Punjab

• Published in: Indian journal of animal sciences 2009-07, Vol.79 (7)
• Main Authors: Singh, K, Brar, P S, Gandotra, V K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: GENISSE; GESTION; HEIFERS; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_16086; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_3535; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_6699; MANAGEMENT; NOVILLA; RURAL AREAS; ZONAS RURALES; ZONE RURALE
• ISSN: 0367-8318

The present study was conducted to investigate the current status of heifers at rural, rural commercial and pen-urban commercial dairy farms. The average number of buffalo and cow heifers per dairy farm was significantly more in periurban and rural commercial than in rural farms. The average age at puberty in buffaloes (3.0±0.2 years) and cows (1.9±0.3 years) was significantly less in rural commercial farms as compared to their rural (4.1±0.3 and 2.8±0.2 years) and pen-urban counterparts (3.6±0.2 and 2.4±0.2 years, respectively). The net costs of pre-weaned, weaned to prepubertal, pubertal and first calvers was significantly higher in rural commercial than rural and pen-urban farms. However, average cost (Rupees) to rear a heifer until first calving was significantly more in pen-urban than in rural and rural commercial farms. Most farmers (84.8% rural commercial, 8 1.3% pen-urban commercial and 61.3% rural) were interested in keeping the animals solely for milk production. About 89.1% rural conunercial, 61.3% rural and 35.9% pen-urban farmers sold their livestock to other farmers because of low milk yield, high rearing cost, productive and reproductive problems. In comparison, disposal of animals for slaughter by rural commercial, rural and pen-urban commercial farmers was 10.9%, 38.7% and 64.1%, respectively. Few people still preferred in keeping old and infertile animals (11.3% rural, 8.7% rural commercial and 17.2% pen-urban commercial) due to sentimental approach. It can thus be summarized that heifer raising is practiced in all the three types of farms, although, cost of rearing is higher in the periurban ones.