Balanced concentrate feeding remains an axle for profitable dairy farming. Dairy farmers are constantly concerned about how to formulate economical concentrates, what to add, and what to adjust as the animal reaches different stages of its productive cycle as well as in different seasons. These views were shared by Dr. Parkash Singh Brar, Director of Extension Education, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. He was sharing the opening remarks during an online panel discussion to educate and to answer all such queries of dairy farmers about feed formulation.
Dr. Parminder Singh, renowned nutritionist and Additional Director of Extension Education discussed balanced concentrate, its types and standards. To have the best productivity as per genetic potential of the animal, he emphasized on the quality of raw materials used in the making of feed. Dr Jaspal Singh Hundal, discussed different types of ingredients required in concentrate formulation, importance of concentrate feeding in the transition and lactation stages. He discussed the availability of mineral mixtures, bypass fat, and uromin lick as well as the university's testing facilities.
Both underfeeding and overfeeding can be problematic for dairy animals, revealed Dr. Swarn Singh Randhawa, Director, Veterinary Clinical Complex. He discussed acidosis, ketosis, lameness and mastitis in dairy animals in relation to feed. Dr Amarpreet Singh Pannu, Senior Veterinary Officer, Animal husbandry Department, Punjab briefed the ground reality of dairy feed in the state. He further shared his experience on disease incidences related to feeding management. Sh Vikas Kalra, Joint secretary, All Feed Manufacturing Association revealed that owing to awareness among dairy farmers, trend of commercial feed feeding is on the rise. He said that in the majority of commercial industries, both raw materials and finished feed were subject to strict quality control procedures.
More than 250 participants including progressive farmers from Punjab, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan, as well as veterinary officers from Punjab and dairy officers from Milkfed and the dairy development department of Punjab, scientists from different KVK participated in this discussion. Over 50 queries were answered by the panelist on the spot. Dr Jaswinder Singh successfully conducted the event. Farmers can contact the university on any working day on the Tele-advisory numbers 62832-97919 and 62832-58834.
