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This study evaluated the adoption of scientific animal feeding practices among women dairy farmers in regions with good access to veterinary institutions. Access to these services is crucial for gender equality, economic empowerment, and sustainable agriculture. But, such studies are lacking in India. This research involved 150 women farmers in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, with easy access to veterinary institutions. High adoption levels were observed for most scientific dairy feeding practices. Colostrum feeding for new-born calves was the most adopted, while home preparation of animal feed was the least. The study revealed significant correlations between adoption levels and factors like landholding size, dairy experience, and market orientation. In summary, multiple veterinary institutions’ support positively influences the adoption of scientific dairy feeding practices among women dairy farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mastitis is a common disease condition of farm animals, which causes production loss in animals and heavy economic loss to the dairy farmers. Streptococcus genus is one of the important etiological agents for mastitis. Biofilm formation by organisms leads to chronic infection due to more antibiotic resistance. The purpose of our study was to determine the ability to produce biofilm among bacteria of the genus Streptococcus isolated from bovine mastitis. In present study, micro-titer plate assay was used to detect the biofilm formation in Streptococcus isolates. Out of 98 Streptococcus isolates, 30 (30.61%) were non-biofilm former, 43 (43.87%) were weak biofilm former, 15 (15.30%) were moderate biofilm former and 10 (10.20%) were strong biofilm former. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to ascertain dairy farmers' information-seeking behavior regarding the prevention of zoonotic diseases. The study was conducted in 8 villages chosen randomly from 2 districts of Haryana state. A majority of the respondents had moderate information-seeking behavior about zoonoses. This was assessed in terms of 'sources of information' and 'extent and how frequently the information was sought.' Further, the correlation between the respondents' personality traits and their information-seeking behavior scores revealed that different variables like extension participation, social participation, caste, and risk orientation exerted significant influence. Most of the time, the sources utilized by the respondents were progressive and co-farmers, followed by veterinary hospitals, neighbors/friends, training, etc. Respondents sought more information on selection criteria for disease-free animals, storage of feed, supplemental feed preparation, and health care. It is suggested that further studies to understand the factors affecting the information behavior of farmers are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to understand farmers' feeding and breeding practices in the Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh. Eighty farmers were randomly selected from four villages of two blocks. These farmers were grouped into three categories based on their landholding size as marginal (<1 ha), small (1-2 ha) and medium (2-10 ha). Using a pre-tested interview schedule, data were collected on existing breeding and feeding management practices followed by different categories of farmers. It is revealed that all farmers offered green fodder to their dairy animals @16.03 ± 0.80, 18.96 ± 0.73, and 23.53 ± 0 kg/animal/day, respectively. The majority of farmers (98%) used cake as a concentrate ingredient.51.25% of farmers used A.I.and 20% used the natural method for breeding of dairy animals. A majority (88.75%) considered bellowing with mucus discharge as the signs of estrous in dairy animals. Across the farmer's categories, 70% of farmers reported repeat breeding problems in their dairy animals. It can be concluded that feeding and breeding management practices followed by the medium category of farmers were better for dairy animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to ascertain the extent of adoption of improved dairy husbandry practices and its relationship with the profile of the dairy farmers in the Kheda district of Gujarat. The study was undertaken in four randomly selected talukas of the district, from which 100 dairy farmers were selected randomly. The study revealed that the overall extent of adoption of improved animal husbandry practices in the study area was found to be about 62.78%. The overall highest adoption rate was for reproductive and healthcare management (81.40 and 81.33%) followed by feeding and calf management (77.00 and 62.00%), while the adoption of scientific milking and general management (37.60 and 37.30%) was the lowest. Education, landholding, annual income, and herd size of the dairy farmers had a highly significant (p <0.01) positive relationship. In comparison, social participation and mass media of the dairy farmers had significant (p <0.05) positive relationship with adoption of improved animal husbandry practices. However, family size, experience, and attitude towards dairy farming had a significant negative correlation with the improved animal husbandry practices. The independent variables considered in the present study explained about 38.20% variation (r² = 0.38) in adoption of the improved dairy husbandry practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, a test was developed to measure the knowledge level of dairy farmers about scientific dairy farming. A preliminary set of 87 knowledge items was initially administered to 60 randomly selected dairy farmers for item analysis. The difficulty index and discrimination index was found out, and the items with difficulty index ranging from 30 to 80 and the discrimination index ranging from 0.30 to 0.55 were included in the final format of the knowledge test. A total of 48 items which fulfilled both the criteria were selected for the final format of knowledge test. Reliability of the test through split half method was found out to be 0.386 and the coefficient of correlation value by the test-retest method was 0.452, which was found to be significant at 1% level of significance. Hence, the knowledge test constructed was highly stable, reliable and validated for measuring what it intends to. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted in the Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh on reproductive disorders in cattle and buffaloes under field conditions. The information was generated from 120 farmers, 20 farmers from each of six selected villages, who had at least one milking dairy animal at the time of the investigation. The information was generated regarding reproductive disorders of indigenous cattle, crossbred cattle, and buffalo due to improper feeding, breeding, and healthcare management practices and was analyzed to explore the incidence rate of reproductive disorders faced by dairy farmers in three categories of animals. The overall incidence rate of reproductive disorders among indigenous cattle, crossbred cattle, and buffalo in the area surveyed revealed maximum incidence in buffalo (76.05 %) and minimum in indigenous cattle (48.77 %), the crossbreds being intermediate (72.62 %). Late maturity was the major problem in indigenous cattle and anoestrus in buffalo. The incidence of repeat breeding was the highest in crossbred cattle. Dystocia, prolapse and stillbirth were more in buffaloes, while abortion, RFM, and uterine infections were more in crossbred cattle. Reproductive disorders like dystocia, prolapse, abortion and stillbirth were mostly treated by veterinarians; however, remaining reproductive disorders like anoestrus, repeat breeding, uterine infection etc. were treated by dairy farmers and quacks through their own experiences by using different type of indigenous technical knowledge. There is a need to create awareness about scientific animal husbandry practices among dairy farmers of the region studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was undertaken in Kheda and Panchmahal districts of middle Gujarat to know the existing calf management and milk marketing practices followed by the dairy farmers. The study was conducted in randomly selected four talukas each from Kheda and Panchmahal districts. From each taluka five villages and from each village five respondents were randomly selected. Thus, total 200 respondents were included in the study. Majority (71.50 %) of the respondents followed practice of cutting the naval cord of the calf at the time of birth, of which 67.83 percent farmers were ligating and applying antiseptic to naval cord. More than half of the farmers followed disbudding in Kheda district whereas, more than three fourth of the farmers have not adopted this practice in Panchmahal district. Majority (95.00 %) of the respondents followed suckling / natural system of calf raising. Majority of the respondents provided colostrum to the calves within one hour of birth (55.00 %) or at the most between one to three hours of birth (28.50 %). Moreover, 38.00 percent of the farmers provided colostrums only after expulsion of placenta. Cent percent of the respondents from both the districts sold the milk to the dairy co-operative societies. However, majority (85.50 %) of the dairy farmers retained 1 to 2 liters of milk for their household consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was undertaken in Kheda and Panchmahal districts of middle Gujarat to assess existing breeding practices followed by the dairy farmers. The study was conducted in randomly selected four talukas each from Kheda and Panchmahal districts. From each taluka five villages and from each village five respondents were randomly selected. Thus, total 200 respondents were included in the study. Data revealed that majority of the respondents (49.00 %) were keeping buffaloes only. Mucus discharge alongwith bellowing and frequent urination were the predominant heat symptoms as perceived by majority of the respondents. Majority of the respondents (92.50 %) were taking their anestrous animals for treatment. Overall, majority (82.50 %) of the respondents were using artificial insemination for breeding their animals. Further majority of the dairy farmers (64.50 %) were inseminating their dairy animals between 12 and 24 hrs after heat detection. Moreover, almost all dairy farmers (97.00 %) were taking their animals for pregnancy diagnosis. Breeding records were maintained by more than three fourth (77.00 %) of the respondents. Almost all (99.00 %) dairy farmers disposed the placental membranes by burial method. The findings revealed higher level of awareness for breeding practices among dairy farmers of middle Gujarat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study on relationship between management factors in crossbred cattle and days openas well as the constraints faced by dairy farmers was purposively conducted in Bengaluru rural district of Karnataka.The data were collected using a structured pretested interview schedule from 120 respondents selected randomly from four taluks viz; Devanahalli, Doddaballapur, Hoskote and Nelamangala. The study revealed that number of artificial insemination (AI) in relation to conception and voluntary waiting period had a positive significant correlation to days open in dairy cattle. Lack of awareness on deworming of cattle was the major constraint among the respondents. Hence, the authors conclude that extension activities like meetings, discussions, mass media, etc. are to be planned and conducted by extension agencies to increase knowledge and thereby adoption of recommended practices leading to increase production and income generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ex-post-facto exploratory study was conducted to assess the attitude of dairy farmers towards cultivation of green fodder crops and constraints faced by them for fodder cultivation in Bidar district of Karnataka, India using an attitude scale through personal interview method. The study reported that majority of the respondents had medium level of favorable attitude towards green fodder cultivation and the variables education and scientific orientation of the farmers was found to be significantly correlated with attitude towards green fodder cultivation. The respondents perceived that non-availability of inputs and scarcity of water was the major constraints for cultivation of fodder in the study area. The study concluded that, there is a need to educate the farmers about green fodder cultivation and feeding through various extension approaches for improved dairy production in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ex-post-facto and exploratory study was conducted to explore the attitude of 200 dairy farmers towards cross breeding and factors affecting its adoption using pretested interview method in Bidar District of Karnataka. The study revealed that majority of the dairy farmers (74.0 %) belong to medium level of favorability followed by high and low level of favourable attitude towards cross breeding. About 85 per cent respondents perceived that adoption of cross breeding would give them better recognition in society and about 74 per cent farmers felt that cross breeding was essential to improve milk production. The results show that there is a need to give greater emphasis to educate the farmers regarding cross breeding for effective adoption and popularization of the technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was undertaken in Kheda and Panchmahal districts of middle Gujarat to know the existing milking management practices followed by the dairy farmers. The study was conducted in randomly selected four talukas each from Kheda and Panchmahal districts. From each taluka five villages and from each village five respondents were randomly selected. Thus, total 200 respondents were included in the study. Data revealed that all the respondents milked their animals twice a day and majority (79.50 %) of them were using knuckling method of hand milking. Further, more than two third of respondents were practicing wet hand milking. Bathing and/or grooming of animals before milking, washing of teats/udder prior to milking and washing of the hands before milking were practiced by 76.50, 81.00 and 74.50 % of the dairy farmers, respectively. Farmers of Panchmahal district neither followed post-milking teats' dipping nor carried out mastitis detection tests. However, in Kheda district some dairy farmers practiced post-milking teats' dipping (6.50 %) and mastitis detection tests (3.50 %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through mass contact programme at doorstep, the information on land holding, agriculture and occupational practices of 1198 livestock farmers of coastal area of South Gujarat, and reproductive and productive parameters of 5060 breedable dairy animals possessed by them were obtained. The percentages of landless, small, medium and large landholder dairy farmers in the area were 14.94, 71.62, 12.77 and 0.67, respectively. The irrigation facility for agriculture and the primary occupation of agriculture with animal keeping was up to 85 per cent. The average age at first calving was 28.40±3.12 and 42.05±4.23 months in crossbred cattle and buffaloes, respectively (p<0.01). The mean calving interval (13.64±2.46 vs 18.47±2.86 months) and postpartum estrus interval (51.66±17.08 vs 92.68±15.93 days) were significantly shorter in crossbred cows than in buffaloes. Among 3232 and 1828 crossbred cattle and buffaloes surveyed, 25.34 and 27.35 per cent had different reproductive problems. The problem of silent heat was more in buffaloes including heifers than the crossbred cows. The percentages of anoestrus and repeat breeding were comparatively higher in buffaloes including heifers as compared to crossbred cows. The average milk yield/day was 10.28±3.49 and 6.93±4.63 liters in crossbred cows and buffaloes, respectively (p<0.05). The mean lactation length was more or less similar in both the classes of animals. Breeding (>99% through AI) and feeding practices of green (15-16 kg), dry (6-7 kg) fodder and concentrate (1-2 kg) were similar in cattle and buffaloes. Supplementation of mineral mixture was slightly higher in crossbred cows as compared to buffaloes, and concerned farmers had a greater tendency to provide drinking water ad lib or 3 times a day. The higher percentage of both cows and buffaloes were kept in close animal houses. The findings indicated the awareness level and facilities of farmers of coastal areas in dairy husbandry practices and thereby productive-reproductive problems in their animals, which need to be improved by scientific interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to know the farmers attitude towards different sources of risk. Two hundred and forty cattle and buffalo owners were selected randomly from Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh consisting 120 dairy farmers who had insured at least one cattle or buffalo from their herd and another 120 dairy farmers who had never insured their dairy animals. Findings showed that there were important differences in farmers' risk attitudes. Attitude to risk affects farmers' decision in input utilization and technology adoption. Programs and policies for farmers would deliver better results if these incorporate farmers' risk attitude, risk sources and its relationships with socio-economic and geographical locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ex-post-facto exploratory study was carried out in four Indian States with the specific objective to know the perception of dairy farmers towards attributes of five identified dairy innovations of socio-economic importance. Concentrate feeding, artificial insemination (AI), vaccination, clean milk production (CMP) and use of mobiles in dairying were the innovations of the study. It was found that majority of the farmers across all states had medium level of favourable perception for all the dairy innovations. However, proportion of farmers with high level of favourable perception was seen among the farmers of Haryana and Punjab. Highly significant difference (p< 0.01) in terms of perception of farmers towards attributes of innovations across the states was observed. This might be due to variations in socio-economic and psychological characteristics of the respondents across the states. The study thus concludes that, attributes of dairy innovations must be duly considered for effective diffusion and adoption leading to improved quality and productivity in Indian dairy sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted on 120 trainees of Punjab Dairy Development department at different dairy training centers viz. Phagwara, Sardulgarh, Bija, Chatamli and Tarantaran, to evaluate the training programmes with the help of pre-structured and pre-tested knowledge test. There is an appreciable increase in the knowledge of the trainees in sub areas like housing, feeding, health aspect, breeding and general information after the training and the training course significantly improved the knowledge score of trainees after the completion of the course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted in Akola district of Maharashtra with 59 dairy farmers to their socioeconomic status and measure level of knowledge about dairy technology. Socio-economic status of dairy farmers was poor and most of the respondents were observed with average knowledge level regarding dairy technology and from the study it is clear that extension agencies have to be more active to enhance the knowledge level through target oriented extension training programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field survey was conducted to collect the information on constraints faced by dairy animal owners of Navsari taluka of Navsari district of South Gujarat. Fifteen villages of Navsari taluka having functional primary milk producer's co-operative societies were selected. Ten dairy animal owners from each selected village were randomly chosen which constituted a total of 150 respondents. The selected farmers were interviewed and the preferred information was collected with the help of predesigned and pretested questionnaire. Perusal of data revealed that major constraint faced by the dairy animal owners in providing adequate housing to their dairy animals was lack of own capital. Major constraints in adopting recommended feeding practices were high cost of feed and non-availability of green fodder round the year. Lack of knowledge of heat detection and lack of improved bulls for breeding in villages were major constraints in adopting proper animal breeding practices, while inadequate knowledge of diseases and their control was major constraint in adopting proper health care management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to find the constraints perceived by the dairy farmers in adoption of scientific dairy farming practices in the Sikar district of Rajasthan in the 4 randomly selected villages of two blocks with a total sample size of 120 households. The results revealed that major constraints faced by dairy farmers in breeding, feeding, management and health-care practices were inadequate knowledge of breeding practices (71.67%), high cost of cattle feed like concentrate and roughage (88.33%), lack of interest in maintaining simple records (81.67%) and high cost of treatment/veterinary medicines (87.50%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]