Livestock Fodder

The dry spell has impacted wheat yield by 4-8 quintals per acre. As livestock owners and gaushalas (cow shelters) are facing a scarcity of fodder, the farmers in the state have opposed the government's ban order.

During the visit, the Minister declared open the vermicompost unit, pellatization of forage crops for production of nutritive fodder pellets for enhancing livestock productivity.

Worsening heat, fodder shortages and the threat of drought are forcing many hard-hit dairy farmers in the Anantapur area of southern Kerala to reduce their herds, experts say.

At a goshala or shelter for cows run by a private trust in Southern Karnataka's Tumkur district, its caretaker Suresh has an unenviable job. He has been instructed to serve only two portions of fodder, not the requisite meal of at least 3-5 kilograms of dry grass per day, to the cattle.

India is facing its second drought in just four years and on Tuesday took steps to cut irrigation costs and increase fodder supplies for livestock farmers. But it held off from imposing any curb on exports of agricultural products or a ban of futures trading in them. In July, the rains were about 13 per cent below average.

The dry spell has impacted wheat yield by 4-8 quintals per acre. As livestock owners and gaushalas (cow shelters) are facing a scarcity of fodder, the farmers in the state have opposed the government's ban order.

During the visit, the Minister declared open the vermicompost unit, pellatization of forage crops for production of nutritive fodder pellets for enhancing livestock productivity.

Worsening heat, fodder shortages and the threat of drought are forcing many hard-hit dairy farmers in the Anantapur area of southern Kerala to reduce their herds, experts say.

At a goshala or shelter for cows run by a private trust in Southern Karnataka's Tumkur district, its caretaker Suresh has an unenviable job. He has been instructed to serve only two portions of fodder, not the requisite meal of at least 3-5 kilograms of dry grass per day, to the cattle.

India is facing its second drought in just four years and on Tuesday took steps to cut irrigation costs and increase fodder supplies for livestock farmers. But it held off from imposing any curb on exports of agricultural products or a ban of futures trading in them. In July, the rains were about 13 per cent below average.