Expert Advisory Details

Experts' suggestions for dairy farming in winters

Dry bedding to animals helps to save them from cold. Entry of very cold winds inside the shed should be minimized. Keep the animals under roof in night and in the sun during the day time. Do not apply milk for lubrication of teats after milking. To avoid cracking or fissuring of teats in cold dry weather clean the teats with warm water and apply ghee or butter or teat dips (glycerine Providone Iodine 1:8) after every milking. Feed well chaffed berseem mixed with wheat straw to avoid Aphara (Tympany). Do not feed rice straw (Parali) alone to the animals. Due to winter rains, there is likelihood of spread of H.S. (Haemorrhagic Septicemia or Gall Ghotu). Get your animals vaccinated in preceding month but not later that 10th January. Vaccinate animals against FMD and repeat after six months or yearly as required. Deworming should be done in calves especially against Ascariasis/Malap with piperazine liquid 4 ml/ 10 kg body weight. New born calves need special care in cold weather. They are susceptible to Pneumonia and large number of them die due to this disease. Keep them warm by providing clean and dry bedding. Give them vitamin ‘A’ concentrate 1 ml daily in milk for three days to be repeated after a month.