2. Farm management in cattles

Efficient farm management is required for humane farming, cattle health, and for clean milk production.

 

Measures involved in farm management includes:

 

1. Proper cleaning and shelter facilities are required for the cows and buffaloes.

 

2. Brushing of animals regularly to remove dirt and loose hair.

 

 

3. Cattle should be kept in a well ventilated and roofed sheds to protect them from the climatic condition - rain, heat, and cold.

 

4. The cattle shed floor must be sloping to keep the floor dry and to facilitate cleaning.

 

 

The food requirements in dairy cattle is of \(two\) types:

  

1. For maintenance - food required to support the animal to live hale and healthy.

 

2. For the production of milk - food required during the lactation period.

 

Animal feeds contain:

  

1. Roughage - a large amount of fibre content, provides bulk to the diet and contains fewer nutrients.

2. Concentrates - low in fibre content, provides proteins that provide energy and other nutrients.

 

Some of the feed contains micronutrients that promote the milk output and production, the health of the cattle. Cattle need a balanced food feed that contains all the nutrients in the right proportions.

Cattle suffer from a number of diseases. The disease can reduce milk production and even cause death of the cattle. The parasites present in the cattle include:

 

1. External parasites - live on the skin that cause skin disease.

 

2. Internal parasites - Affects the internal organs of cattle - stomach, intestine, and liver.

Infectious diseases are also caused due to bacteria and virus. Vaccinations are provided to the cattle against viral and bacterial disease as a preventive measure.