1College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Wayanad, Kerala, India
2College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala, India
3Livestock Research Station, Thiruvazhamkunnu, Palakkad, Kerala, India
*Corresponding author: S George; E-mail: sabin@kvasu.ac.in
Online published on 17 October, 2020.
The study conducted was among farmers who were members of dairy co-operatives in different agro- climatic zones of Kerala with the objective to identify dairy farming systems and to document productivity. It was observed that small holders operated 83.80 per cent of the farms. Eight farming systems based on cropping patterns were identified. Mixed farming was the largest system with 50.0 per cent of the sampled units while systems based on mono cultures of paddy, coconut or rubber constituted 27.20 per cent and homestead farms accounted to 20.6 per cent of the studied farms. The average peak yield ranged from 14.63±0.37 (litres) in small farms to 18.64±0.54 (litres) in large farms. Test day yields were 9.61±0.30 in small farms and 12.58±0.68 in large farms. Peak yields, test day yields and predicted lactation yields differed significantly between types of farms (P<0.01). Service period (128.53±7.96 days) and inter calving period (408.53±7.96) were significantly shorter (P<0.01) in large farms than in small or medium farms.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Eight farming systems based on crops were identified in Kerala.
• Small holders operated 83.80 percent of dairy farms in Kerala.
• Large farms had higher peak yield, shorter inter calving period and service period.
Small holder, Livestock production, Farming system
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