Strategies for improving feed and fodder resources and utilization for sustainable milk and meat production from livestock in India

2^nd International Conference on Animal & Dairy Sciences

September 15-17, 2014 Hyderabad International Convention Centre, India

Ramaprasad J and Suhas Sourie

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Veterinar Sci Technolo

Abstract :

India with 328.73 million hectares geographical area is endowed with 485 million diverse livestock wealth. Currently, India is the largest milk producer in the world with105 million metric tons per annum. Despite this, there is deficit of milk and meat production to meet the recommended daily allowances (RDA) of milk and meat consumption for human. Hence, there is a need to enhance livestock production, which justifies the increasing the livestock population. But the main impediments are low genetic makeup of indigenous livestock and qualitative and quantitative insufficiency of feed and fodder resources for livestock feeding. The Government of India has initiated several research projects to enhance feed utilization. To meet the gigantic and challenging task of feeding livestock with quality forages, there is a definite need to increase forage production per unit area through encouraging high yielding fodder crops and forages, in an integrated crop- livestock farming systems. General strategies for utilization of available crop residues, agro industrial by products (AIBP) and non conventional feed resources (NCFR) is by proper harvesting at right time, processing and storage, besides, conservation and judicious usage. Nutritional strategies include the development of complete rations for effective utilization of feed resources. Compressed feed blocks and use of expander-extruder processing of complete feeds is another strategy. Development of package of practices by strategic supplementation of specific deficit of nutrients at catalytic level is another measure. Feeding by-pass proteins and by-pass fats in the rations of high yielding cross bred cows is an alternative strategy. Use of bio- technological products, like pro-biotic, pre- biotics and parental application of bovine somototropin (BST) in dairy animals can dramatically enhance the on farm milk and meat production These strategic measures have potential to ensure sustainable availability of feed and fodder resources as well as their effective utilization for enhanced milk and meat production from indigenous livestock on long term economic basis. Keywords: Feed, fodder, milk, meat, livestock feeding strategies.

Biography :

Ramaprasad J has worked in Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, at Tirupati, AP in different positions for more than 35 years and retired as professor and University Head of Animal Nutrition department. Under his chairmanship, 14 students accredited for MVSc and 3 students doctoral degree. As principal investigator he completed 8 research projects, sponsored by various national and international organizations. He had an excellent academic record and conferred with honours? like FNAVS (2002), best researcher (2005) and best teacher (2006). He has published more than 87 research papers in reputed journals and serving as an editorial board member of reputed journals. At present he is working as professor, Animal Science, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia.