Study of the Dairy Cattle Management Systems at Farmer`s Level in Jessore District of Bangladesh

Abstract

This study was conducted to know the management system, to determine cost and benefit, to identify constrains and to make recommendations for development of such small dairy farms in Jessore District. From this study, it was revealed that the milch cow per farm was 5.12 and average milk yield per day per cow was 5.78 liter. Cows were inseminated 76 percent by artificially and 24 percent by both natural and artificial means. About 68 percent roughage was used as dry and the rest used as green grass. Fifty four percent, 24 percent and 22 percent farms had semi pucca, kacha and pucca houses, respectively for their animals with 90 percent proper ventilation and 66 percent proper drainage system. Milking done by male 76 percent, female 20 percent and both 4 percent. Milk was sold to neighbors, vendors, restaurants and sweet makers. The average market price of milk per liter was Tk. 14.32. The average production cost per cow per year was Tk.. 17,790.83. Feed cost was Tk.. 14,024.54, which was 78.83 percent of production cost. On the basis of some problems reported by farm owners, some recommendations are made for sound dairy development in the study area.