Innovative extension approach for enhancing profitability of dairy farms during winter months: A success story

Aiming to adopt an innovative approach in farmers’ field through transfer of technology, an On Field Trail (OFT) was conducted through KVK Shopian in nine villages of the district during winter months from 15th November to 15th March for two consecutive years viz. 2020 and 2021, wherein, fifty-four cows in their second or third gestation were selected and divided into two groups. The control group were fed normal feed/fodder available with these dairy farmers, whereas animals in experimental group were fed 200g of urea molasses mineral block (UMMB) daily above the normal course of feeding practices. There was an increase in feed intake and milk production in UMMB supplemented group, with no significant difference in milk composition among control and supplemented groups. Reproductive problems like dystocia, repeat breeding, retained fetal membrane, mastitis, uterine prolapsed, anestrous and mixed problems were reported less in animals supplemented with UMMB. There was an additional profit of Rs. 83.70 generated per animal per day, which accounted to additional profit of Rs. 6.38 generated per rupee invested by the farmers.