Feeding management practices followed by indigenous khillar cattle owners

Abstract

Agriculture and allied activities form the main source of livelihood for rural communities. Livestock, particularly cattle, contribute significantly to rural income and agricultural sustainability. Among the indigenous cattle breeds, Khillar holds a prominent place in the western regions of Maharashtra. The study on feeding management practices among indigenous Khillar cattle owners in Sangli and Solapur districts revealed a strong reliance on locally available fodder resources. Sorghum (95.75 per cent) and maize (93.75 per cent) were predominantly used as dry fodder, while green fodder sources included maize (79.37 per cent), sorghum (77.50 per cent), and Napier grass (66.87 per cent). A majority of farmers provided 3.1 to 4 kg of dry fodder and 10.1 to 15 kg of green roughage per animal daily. Concentrate feeding was widely practiced, with cottonseed cake (91.87 per cent) and groundnut cake (85.00 per cent) being common choices. About 79.37 per cent of respondents incorporated mineral supplements into the diet. Feeding practices such as manual chaffing (56.87 per cent), fodder soaking (50.00 per cent), and sprinkling jaggery water (68.75 per cent) were common. However, only 32.50 per cent adjusted feeding based on the animal’s physiological stage. A combination of stall feeding and grazing was adopted by 71.87 per cent of farmers, and individual feeding was practiced by 88.12 per cent. All respondents ensured access to clean drinking water, primarily sourced from wells (61.87 per cent) and delivered via tanks (82.50 per cent). The findings underscore a blend of traditional and semi-improved feeding practices, with scope for enhancement through targeted advisory, training, and mechanization support.