Assessing the demographic profile of dairy farmers and the impact of herd size on calf diseases in Punjab

Abstract

The study helps to gauge the demographic profile of dairy farmers and the effect of herd size on diseases of calf. This study was done in six different parts of Punjab. Respondents (n=420, 70 from each part) were selected and were interviewed personally with the help of a research instrument called as interview schedule. It was found that most of the farmers were middle aged. The education status of most of the dairy farmers in different parts of Punjab was beyond high school. Majority (51.43%) of the dairy farmers reared both buffalo and cows together. Murrah was common breed to be reared among buffaloes and H.F among cows. Majority of the dairy farmers were small dairy farmers having dairy animals <10. Most of dairy farmers (35.00%) had 2-5 acres of land, hence falling in semi-medium category. Herd Size had highly significant difference (P<0.01) on diseases like calf diarrhoea and respiratory infections/pneumonia.