Milk Industry in India

Thank you for such a nice article on revolution in milk production, no doubt india has turned out to be from milk deficit state to milk surplus state due to efforts of charishmic leader like dr.v.kurien.productivity of indian cow &buffalo is an importent issue required to be addressed at much faster speed so as to realise potential of milk production. i agree with author that new feeding technology should be adopted by feed manufacturers but a missionary zeal like operation flood implementation is what is needed.

It is well versed article briefing the current and historical status of milk production in India and suggesting the possible measures to go forward

Hello sir, congratulations for the article about milk production. I am Raju working in dairy farm in New Zealand, I am looking for grass verities for grasing in India can anyone help me what are the grasses available for grasing which survive in tropical climate?

sir thanks for your valuble openion, but i have not ask about these grass seeds to introduce to nz , i am planing to start a small dairy farm in my village in south india, i have some coconut plantation ( which is not giving propar income) and some good irrigated land so i am loocking for a grass to put in coconut plantation to graze my dairy animals and use irrigated land for growing green fodder for shed feeding.
so are they any verities of grass which is sutable for grazing. as u know grazing is more economical and fredom for animal to behave like them.

Dear All,
I appreciate the comments on my article about milk production. I would like to add some of my suggestions on the comments.
1. TMR. The concept of TMR was developed long back. It is coincidential that the oil price was $4 at that time. The feeding of TMR has great benefits nutritionally if it was compounded properly. One of the draw back noticed is the separation of micronutrients unless it was addded in small pellet form. The continuos availability of the complete feed to the cow could reduce rumen metabolism problems, The proper formulation of TMR is vital
2. Green fodder. It was the impression long back because the dairy cows were maintained in the countries with vast grazing lands and plenty of green saccular forages. Later, the suitable technology was developed to produce milk even with out feeding green fodder. In the gulf where there is no scope for grazing nor cultivation of green forage milk is produced 50-60 litres/per day/cow. The bottom line is the supply of protein, energy, fatty acids, ADF.NDF and water that contros the milk conversion.
3. Dairy cows in coconut farms. It is not ideal to grow grass in coconut gardens and allow cows to graze. Even today several farmers do that in south India. When the feed technology has well developed, the tethered husbandry is recommended where land is shrinking. Even the coconut leaves could be converted to good energy rich haylage if we use feed technology. The ADF.NDF ratio is more important than the original form of grass or forage.

We must develop technologies to decrease the feed conversion from 1:6 to 1:3-4 in dairy cows with the usage of feed technology.
Good luck

Very good and informative article about milk production. In today's scenario of feeding standards, there is a huge margin for development. I think, Dr. Kunju John should take a forward step towards this. Also, it is imperative to find some new feed technology to sustain the milk production both in quality as well quality.

Dear All,
The comment of Dr. Chandrakant Patil on the need for technology development in dairy nutrition particulalrly in India is laudable as the country is in the top of milk production today. Mostly the technology development is monitored by the public sector which has several hurdles to take up a new research model. I had faced the above intricate situation while developing bypass protein and molasses block in eightees. Further more fund availability is another big constraint. In the private sector collaborating with multinational companies that are in the feed business, is welcomed. Therefore, need based research and technology development is pushed aside. In the past NDDB was engaged in the practical technology developments. As I had indicated some important areas for feed technology development in my article a creative interraction from the scientific community would go a long way to accomplish the goal. My sincere participation is always promissed. In order to take up such innovative steps the formation of Research Foundation with scientists and practitioners would be felt helpful. Since Dr.V.Kurien showed the way of development in dairying in India an organisation in the name of 'Dr, Kurien Researcg Foundation' could be thought.

A very knowledgable and brain storming article about milk production. Balancing of ration (TMR) with balanced quantity/ ratio of green forage,silage and concentrate with required % of protein, energy ADF-NDF ,well compounded in consumable DM will definitely give good results. APPRECIATED.

Dear All,
Growing fodder grass or hydroponic fodder may look good but for its cost effectiveness abd practicality. Today, where the technological advancement is gallopping in all areas why not it could be implemented in feed technology. The feed technology is possible to convert the non edible fibre available as straw, stover, dry grass etc into digestible NDF to provide energy to microbes in rumen for microbeal cell multiplication which in turn become the food for cow. The technology that was dveloped by me is 'sweet haylage'. The further development of it can go a long way to offset the fibre shortage for feeding dairy animals in India.