Adoption of Livestock Management Practices for Crossbred Cows by Members of Milk Cooperatives

A study was undertaken to assess the adoption of livestock management practices for crossbred cows by members of Women Administered Milk Cooperatives in Valsad district of Gujarat state. Study revealed that majority of respondents (70.00%) belong to middle age (31–50 years) category. The heat detection in crossbred cows was based on visual sign and symptoms (100.0%). Moreover heat detection (94.00%) was identified by the symptoms like bellowing and thin oily mucus discharge. Method of breeding adopted in area was mostly (100.00%) by Artificial Insemination (A.I.) within 12–18 hrs of heat (68.00%). About 70.00% of respondents observed more than three months dry period in crossbred cows in the study area as the repeat breeding observed in 35.00% cows which showed adverse impact in milk production per crossbred cows in the study area. Vaccination was adopted by 96.00 per cent of the members. Regular de-worming was also practiced by 78.00% and 42.00% members for milch cow and calf respectively. Knuckling (84.00%) was common method of hand milking followed by stripping (14.00%). Teat dipping and testing of mastitis control were not followed in the study area. Large majority of members rearing crossbred cows have higher rate of adoption of most of the management practices.