Vol. 10, Special Issue 1, Part B (2025)

Author(s): SK Kalambe, YB Kandalkar, DK Deokar, SA Dhage and AT Lokhande

Abstract: The present investigation entitled “Feeding and management practices followed by Kathani cattle owners in Bhandara district” was undertaken during 2024 by collecting data from different Kathani cattle owners in Bhandara district. The Bhandara district consists of 864 villages, from which 10 villages namely Ambadi, Garada, Kharashi, Seloti, Kondha, Wadad, Andhalgaon, Mehegaon, Madagi, and Dighori were randomly selected. From each village, 20 cattle owners were chosen, resulting in a total of 200 dairy farmers included in the study. The study found that the majority of Kathani cattle owners (85%) practiced a combination of stall feeding and grazing due to inadequate fodder supply. Only 15% of farmers relied solely on stall feeding due to a lack of grazing land and sufficient fodder. About 58% of farmers processed concentrates before feeding, while none enriched poor-quality straw or provided mineral mixtures to milch animals. A small percentage (3.5%) used machinery to chop green and dry fodder before feeding. Green fodder was fed by 71.5% of farmers. Regarding dry matter intake, 66.5% of cattle owners fed 2 to 2.5 kg of dry matter per 100 kg body weight. Only 0.5% of cattle owners fed silage.