Pashudhan Praharee – Provides a concentrate mixture recipe for high-yielding dairy cows and offers feeding tips to enhance milk production.

Pashudhan Praharee – Provides a Concentrate Mixture Recipe for High-Yielding Dairy Cows and Offers Feeding Tips to Enhance Milk Production

Introduction

India, being one of the largest producers of milk in the world, heavily relies on dairy farming as a critical livelihood for millions of rural families. Ensuring high milk yield from dairy cows, particularly from high-producing breeds, necessitates not only sound management practices but also nutritionally balanced feeding regimens. This is where Pashudhan Praharee, a digital initiative under India's National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP), comes into play. It empowers livestock farmers by providing scientific guidance, disease management, and optimized feeding techniques.

One of its major contributions is in the realm of animal nutrition – particularly the formulation of concentrate mixtures for high-yielding dairy cows. In this article, we delve deep into the recommended concentrate mixture recipe and essential feeding tips offered by Pashudhan Praharee, all aimed at enhancing milk production efficiently and sustainably.

Understanding the Role of Concentrate Mixture in Dairy Cows' Diet

The feed of a dairy cow can be broadly divided into two parts:

1. Roughage – Includes green fodder, dry fodder, and silage.
2. Concentrates – Comprises grains, oil cakes, bran, and mineral mixtures that are rich in digestible nutrients.

While roughage provides bulk and fiber, it often falls short in providing sufficient proteins, energy, vitamins, and minerals essential for high milk production. Concentrates bridge this nutritional gap, especially for high-yielding cows (producing 15 liters or more per day).

Pashudhan Praharee's Recommended Concentrate Mixture Recipe

The recommended concentrate mixture is designed to meet the nutrient requirements of a lactating cow producing up to 20 liters of milk per day. The formulation ensures proper balance among energy, protein, minerals, and fiber.

Concentrate Mixture Formula (per 100 kg)

IngredientQuantity (kg)Maize/Broken wheat35Groundnut Cake/Mustard Cake25Wheat Bran/Rice Bran20Mineral Mixture2Common Salt1Molasses (optional)5Urea (optional – under guidance)1Total100 kg

Nutritional Highlights:

• Crude Protein (CP): 18-20%
• Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN): 70-75%
• Fiber content: Balanced to avoid indigestion

Tips for Effective Feeding of High-Yielding Dairy Cows

1. Follow a Balanced Feeding Schedule

Feed should be given at regular intervals – ideally three times a day to maintain rumen pH and promote efficient digestion.

2. Calculate Feed According to Milk Yield

A general rule of thumb:

• 1 kg of concentrate for every 2.5 liters of milk.
• Roughage: 1-1.5% of body weight (dry matter basis).

3. Provide Good Quality Roughage

Use a mix of:

• Green fodder (leguminous like berseem or non-leguminous like maize),
• Dry fodder (wheat straw, paddy straw),
• Silage during off-season.

4. Ensure Clean and Plenty Drinking Water

A lactating cow requires 50–80 liters of water per day. Always provide clean water post-milking and feed intake.

5. Include Bypass Protein

Bypass protein supplements help in better nitrogen utilization and support higher milk yield.

6. Use Mineral Mixtures and Salt

Lack of essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and trace elements can significantly affect milk production and reproductive health.

7. Feed During Cooler Hours

In hot climates, cows may eat less during the day. Offer larger meals early morning and late evening.

8. Monitor Body Condition Score (BCS)

BCS between 3.0 to 3.5 (on a 5-point scale) is ideal for high-yielding cows. Too thin or too fat cows face metabolic and reproductive issues.

Special Considerations for High-Yielding Breeds

Holstein Friesian (HF) and Jersey Crosses

These cows have higher feed and mineral requirements. Offer energy-dense feed and maintain proper deworming and vaccination schedules.

Indigenous Breeds (Gir, Sahiwal)

While these have better immunity, they still require nutrient-dense feed for peak performance, especially during lactation.

Benefits of Following Pashudhan Praharee's Nutritional Guidance

• Increased milk yield and quality (higher fat and SNF content)
• Improved reproductive health
• Better immunity and disease resistance
• Reduced inter-calving period
• Economical feed management through locally available ingredients

Pashudhan Praharee: Digital Advantage

Pashudhan Praharee offers:

• Customized feeding plans
• Access to veterinary services
• Disease alerts and vaccination schedules
• Farmer training and awareness programs

Through this platform, even small-scale farmers get access to scientific knowledge, thereby bridging the knowledge gap and increasing rural incomes.

Pashudhan Praharee – Revolutionizing Dairy Cow Nutrition for High Milk Yield and Sustainability

India, as the world’s largest milk producer, faces a growing demand to optimize milk production while ensuring the welfare of dairy cattle and the profitability of farmers. Dairy farming, particularly involving high-yielding breeds, plays a significant role in rural economies, and as such, the need for improving milk yield without compromising the health of livestock has never been more critical. In this context, Pashudhan Praharee, a pioneering initiative under India’s National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP), has emerged as a critical resource for dairy farmers across the country. Pashudhan Praharee stands out by providing scientific, research-backed information, especially regarding animal nutrition, including concentrate mixture recipes, feeding tips, and disease management guidance. It is designed to address the challenges faced by farmers in ensuring high productivity in dairy farming while maintaining animal health. For high-yielding dairy cows—those producing over 15 liters of milk per day—their nutritional requirements are far greater than that of typical cows, requiring a delicate balance of energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins. To address this, Pashudhan Praharee offers a scientifically formulated concentrate mixture recipe that provides high-quality feed ingredients in the correct proportions to support the nutritional needs of lactating cows. The recipe, formulated by animal nutrition experts, includes energy-dense grains like maize or broken wheat, which provide carbohydrates essential for lactating cows, as well as groundnut cake or mustard cake, which supply protein—critical for the cow’s muscle health, milk production, and overall well-being. Additionally, wheat bran or rice bran is included to ensure sufficient fiber content, which aids in digestion and maintains rumen health. These ingredients are fortified with mineral mixtures and salt, ensuring cows get essential micronutrients like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, which are vital for bone health, milk production, and reproductive functions. The precise formulation of these ingredients ensures that the cows are provided with a well-balanced diet that fulfills their increased nutritional needs during lactation. To complement the concentrate mixture, Pashudhan Praharee also offers tailored feeding tips for farmers. These tips go beyond just the formulation of concentrate feed and include best practices for overall cow care. The advice stresses feeding cows multiple times a day, rather than a single large meal, to avoid overloading the rumen and promote efficient digestion. Dairy cows, especially high-yielding breeds, can experience stress from heavy feedings, so providing several smaller meals helps maintain rumen function and ensures that nutrients are absorbed steadily. In addition to feeding practices, Pashudhan Praharee underscores the importance of quality roughage in the cow’s diet. While concentrates provide the bulk of the essential nutrients, roughage like green fodder (e.g., berseem, lucerne) and dry fodder (e.g., wheat straw, paddy straw) offer fiber that promotes healthy digestion, prevents constipation, and supports overall gut health. The availability of these fibers also prevents the onset of rumen acidosis—a common problem in high-yielding dairy cows when there’s an imbalance between concentrates and fiber. Furthermore, Pashudhan Praharee provides recommendations on water management, a critical but often overlooked aspect of dairy cow nutrition. Lactating cows, particularly those producing high volumes of milk, can drink up to 80 liters of water a day, and the availability of clean, fresh water is vital for maintaining milk production and overall cow health. Pashudhan Praharee emphasizes that water should always be available to cows, particularly after feeding and milking, to encourage hydration and ensure proper milk secretion. Alongside these core feeding strategies, Pashudhan Praharee also addresses the role of mineral supplementation. Mineral deficiencies in dairy cows can significantly reduce milk yield, impair reproductive health, and cause metabolic disorders. Pashudhan Praharee’s concentrate mixture includes a balanced mineral mixture to provide essential micronutrients. These minerals not only support milk production but also help in bone formation, reproductive health, and immune function. Additionally, common salt is added to the mixture, ensuring adequate sodium and chlorine intake, which are vital for maintaining the cow's electrolyte balance and supporting lactation. Vitamins such as A, D, and E are also crucial in the formulation of the concentrate, as they promote proper immune system function and prevent diseases such as mastitis, ketosis, and metabolic disorders. Pashudhan Praharee’s influence on the dairy farming community extends beyond providing concentrate recipes and feeding tips. The digital platform offers a holistic approach to animal management, with services that include disease control, vaccination schedules, deworming protocols, and real-time disease alerts. Farmers are equipped with tools to monitor animal health closely and make adjustments to feeding regimens as needed. Pashudhan Praharee’s guidance helps farmers reduce the risks associated with diseases that can negatively impact productivity and animal health. Moreover, it offers training modules that provide farmers with a deeper understanding of cow nutrition, herd management, and disease prevention, which can ultimately lead to more sustainable dairy farming practices. Sustainability is a key theme in Pashudhan Praharee’s mission. In addition to promoting animal welfare, it helps reduce feed costs by encouraging the use of locally available ingredients for concentrate formulations. This reduces dependency on costly commercial feed, making it more affordable for small-scale farmers to achieve high milk yields without compromising the cows' health or financial stability. By integrating these cost-effective practices into their feeding regimens, farmers are able to maximize productivity while ensuring that the cows remain in optimal condition. Another crucial benefit of Pashudhan Praharee is its support for indigenous breeds. While much of the focus is on high-yielding crossbreeds like Holstein Friesians, Pashudhan Praharee also emphasizes the importance of maintaining local indigenous breeds such as Gir, Sahiwal, and Kankrej. These breeds may not yield as much milk as some of the crossbreeds, but they are more resilient to disease and harsh climates. Through Pashudhan Praharee’s customized feeding recommendations, even farmers with indigenous breeds can improve their herd’s productivity without compromising their natural hardiness. In conclusion, Pashudhan Praharee’s role in enhancing dairy cow nutrition cannot be overstated. The scientifically formulated concentrate mixture recipe, coupled with expert feeding advice and disease management tips, offers a comprehensive solution to improving milk production. With its combination of modern technology, expert advice, and cost-effective feeding strategies, Pashudhan Praharee is revolutionizing dairy farming, making it possible for farmers to achieve higher yields and better animal health. As the platform grows, its reach expands to millions of dairy farmers, ensuring that India’s dairy industry remains resilient, sustainable, and capable of meeting the rising demand for milk.

Pashudhan Praharee and Its Role in Enhancing Dairy Cow Nutrition for High Milk Yield

The increasing demand for dairy products worldwide has pushed farmers, particularly in India, to focus on improving the productivity of their dairy herds. With India being the largest milk producer globally, optimizing milk yield from dairy cows, especially high-yielding breeds, has become a priority. This demand has led to initiatives like Pashudhan Praharee, which serves as an essential tool for livestock farmers, providing scientifically designed feeding solutions, disease control, and other expert services. One of the most important aspects of dairy farming is ensuring that cows receive a balanced, nutritious diet to maximize their milk production. The challenge, however, lies in formulating an ideal diet that meets the nutritional needs of dairy cows, especially the high-yielding ones. A high-yielding dairy cow, often defined as one producing over 15 liters of milk per day, requires a carefully structured feeding regimen to maintain health and optimize milk production. Pashudhan Praharee’s concentrate mixture recipe is one of the central features of the platform, providing farmers with a specialized feed formula that meets the energy, protein, and mineral requirements of these cows. High milk production demands greater nutritional intake, and the concentrate mixture is designed to balance the nutrients that are deficient in regular roughage such as grass and straw. Roughage is essential for providing fiber, but it is often low in essential proteins and energy. Concentrates, therefore, help to bridge this gap, supplying the cows with the necessary protein, energy, and minerals that are critical for high production. The concentrate mixture provided by Pashudhan Praharee typically includes ingredients such as maize or broken wheat (for energy), groundnut or mustard cake (for protein), wheat bran or rice bran (for fiber and additional energy), and a mineral mixture (for micronutrients like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium). The nutritional composition of this concentrate is aimed at providing Crude Protein (CP) around 18-20%, Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) ranging from 70-75%, and an optimal amount of fiber to ensure efficient digestion. With the recipe suggesting a balanced blend of energy and protein sources, Pashudhan Praharee ensures that the cows can achieve not only a higher milk yield but also improved overall health. The concentrate mixture recipe is particularly beneficial for high-yielding cows, like Holstein Friesians, Jersey crosses, and some high-performance indigenous breeds that demand higher protein, energy, and mineral levels in their diets. These cows need to be fed a well-planned ration of concentrates to maintain their energy levels and support lactation, which can deplete their nutritional reserves. Pashudhan Praharee’s feed formulation emphasizes the proper ratio of grains, protein cakes, and fiber, ensuring that cows do not experience deficiencies in their diet. Furthermore, the platform also educates farmers on how to feed cows in a structured manner. For instance, Pashudhan Praharee recommends offering concentrates in multiple small meals throughout the day rather than one large feed. This method helps avoid overloading the rumen and ensures a steady supply of nutrients for the cow. The concentrate mixture is typically fed in combination with high-quality roughage. Green fodder, such as berseem, lucerne, or maize, provides essential vitamins and fiber, which enhances digestion and prevents constipation. Dry fodder, such as wheat or paddy straw, also plays an essential role in the cow's diet by supplying additional fiber content. The feeding time is another crucial factor, and farmers are encouraged to feed cows during the cooler hours of the day—early morning or late evening—when their appetites are at their peak, especially during the hot summer months when cows might otherwise be reluctant to eat due to heat stress. Moreover, clean and ample drinking water is emphasized as essential to the dairy cow's diet. Lactating cows, particularly high-yielding ones, require up to 80 liters of water daily to maintain their hydration levels and support milk production. Alongside feeding tips, Pashudhan Praharee advises farmers on the importance of maintaining body condition scoring (BCS) to ensure cows are neither overfed nor underfed. High-yielding cows should have a BCS of around 3.0 to 3.5 on a scale of 5, ensuring that they are in optimal condition for lactation without being obese or underweight. The Pashudhan Praharee platform goes beyond just offering feeding advice by also providing a comprehensive digital approach to dairy farming. It supports farmers with access to veterinary services, disease alerts, vaccination schedules, and management practices that enhance overall herd health. By providing these services, Pashudhan Praharee helps farmers adopt scientific methods for improving livestock health and productivity, ultimately leading to better income and sustainability in the dairy sector. The platform has also gained popularity due to its ease of use, allowing farmers to access feeding formulas, disease management strategies, and expert guidance at their fingertips. This is particularly valuable for rural farmers who may not have immediate access to veterinary or animal nutrition experts. Additionally, Pashudhan Praharee plays a critical role in sustainable dairy farming practices. It provides a way for farmers to formulate feeds using locally available ingredients, reducing dependency on expensive commercial feed mixtures. The recipe shared by Pashudhan Praharee incorporates ingredients that are often readily available in rural areas, ensuring that dairy farmers can affordably produce the concentrate mixtures needed for their cows. Through these initiatives, Pashudhan Praharee is contributing to the national goal of increasing milk production while simultaneously improving the health of dairy herds across the country. In conclusion, Pashudhan Praharee’s concentrate mixture recipe, along with its accompanying feeding tips and disease management tools, represents a significant advancement for the dairy farming community in India. By empowering farmers with the knowledge and tools to enhance their cows' nutrition, it helps not only increase milk production but also ensures the long-term health and productivity of dairy cows. Through its user-friendly digital platform, Pashudhan Praharee is transforming the way dairy farmers approach animal nutrition and health management, ensuring that the dairy industry continues to thrive in an efficient and sustainable manner.

Summary and Conclusion

The importance of a nutritionally balanced feed, particularly the concentrate mixture, cannot be overstated in achieving high milk yield from dairy cows. Pashudhan Praharee’s initiative in providing a scientifically backed concentrate recipe and feeding tips ensures that dairy farmers can achieve optimal productivity while maintaining animal health.

The key takeaways include the strategic use of energy-rich grains, protein cakes, and minerals in feed, coupled with practical feeding tips like timed feeding, water availability, and body condition monitoring.

In conclusion, Pashudhan Praharee stands as a vital tool in India's dairy sector, combining traditional farming with digital empowerment. By adopting its guidelines, dairy farmers can enhance productivity, reduce costs, and ensure the well-being of their livestock.

Q&A Section

Q1: – What is the main purpose of using a concentrate mixture in dairy cow feed?

Ans: – The main purpose is to supplement essential nutrients like energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins which are not sufficiently available in roughage alone, especially for high-yielding cows.

Q2: – How much concentrate should be fed to a high-yielding cow producing 20 liters/day?

Ans: – Around 8 kg of concentrate per day, calculated as 1 kg per 2.5 liters of milk.

Q3: – Can urea be added to cow feed?

Ans: – Yes, in small amounts (1 kg per 100 kg feed), but only under expert guidance, as excessive use can be toxic.

Q4: – Why is mineral mixture important in a dairy cow’s diet?

Ans: – It provides essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and trace elements which improve milk yield, reproductive health, and overall vitality.

Q5: – How does Pashudhan Praharee help farmers?

Ans: – It provides scientific feed formulas, disease alerts, access to veterinary care, and farmer training, all through a digital platform.