A Comparison of Performance of Productive and Fertility Characters of Dairy Cattle in Dairy Villages and Non Dairy Villages

Abstract

Dairy villages were introduced to Sri Lanka to increase local milk production. The study investigated the effectiveness of dairy village concept in terms of improving productive performance. Study was done in a "dairy village" and a "non dairy village". One hundred and forty semi- intensive farms were selected using purposive sampling technique and were studied using a structured questionnaire survey. Most of the farmers in dairy village milked their animals twice a day whereas; most of the farmers in non-dairy village did morning milking only. Dairy village stock-keepers' achieved low calving interval around 14 months. Number of inseminations per conception was significantly lower in dairy village than in non-dairy village. Results of the study signified that the average milk production in dairy village is not significantly different from non-dairy villages. However, reproductive management practices were better in dairy village farms. It was concluded that Dairy village concept was not effective in increasing average milk production and therefore, a better program is recommended.