Increasing Livestock Production through Low-Input Intervention: A Paradigm Shift in the Milk Production System in Sri LankaResource allocation by farmers Livestock gets the last priorityTraditionally used low-input animals.Livestock output MultifacetedNatural asset a store of wealthDraughtOrganic fertilizerFood high quality proteinEmployment income generation Converted the extensive multifaceted Low-output To High-input Milk centered production system Exotic breeds selected for milk production and reared in temperate climates were introducedResult: Crossbred population: 30%Different blood levelsIntroduction1.Small herdsi.One to five cows low-input, 50% population, mostly indigenous typesii.One to five cows Low / high-input, cross bred B. indicus with Indigenous), 5-10 % of the populationiii.One to 10 cows High input, crossbred (Over 50% B. taurus), 20-25 % of the population.2.Large herds Low-input, Indigenous types, 20% of the population.3.Farm herds High-input, Pure and crossbredIntroduction Contd High Inputs for cow producing over 10 liters of milk High quality grass and Concentrate feed Water :500 liters water /day DrinkingWashingGrass productionGrain production Land Grass and grains GUIDE TO FEEDING CONCENTRATES (350-400kg Cow)IntroductionIntroduction ContdHigh-input milk production demands better quality grasses, concentrate feed, more drugs and better management skillsLand limitation conflictsWater limitation conflictsImported input pricesFertilizerDrugs and chemicalsDisease controlBreeding and selection programsIntroduction ContdIn the context of current crisis situation, profit margins from such milk production may declineHigh input cost, static yields and low turnover has resulted in reduced capital inflow into dairy industryBut this situation is only true to the high-input system of cattle industryObjectivesTo increase production through low-input intervention in large and small herd systemMaterials and methodsPopulationsSmall herds, High-input, 1 to 5 cows, crossbred (20 - 25% of population), Madatugama- KekirawaLarge herds, Low-input, indigenous type (20% of population), Lunugamwehera - HambantotaNumberSmall herd 71 cows from 47 farmersLarge herd 45 cows from 12 farmersMaterials and methodsContdIntervention-Small herdExisting systemMorning milking, feed and water offeredTethering Lunch time water offered, may or may not change placeEvening taken home, water provided, majority cases no night feedingMaterials and methodsContdIntervention- Small herdLow-input interventions In addition to the existing systemWater offered around 10.00 am, change of placeExtra one meter added to the ropeWater offered around 2.30 pm, change of placeEvening milkingNight feeding with waterMaterials and methodsContdIntervention- Large herdExisting systemMilked in the morning at around 7.00 amWhole herd taken out to grazing around 5 km per day after milking is overHerded back in the evening 4 to 5 pmMaterials and methodsContdIntervention- Large herdLow-input interventions in addition to the existing systemRetain pregnant and milking cows and stall feedRetain calves below one year and stall feedUse dung for grass cultivation.Water supply to retained animals.Evening milkingMethodologyDescriptive Statistics Regression AnalysisRegression Model Yi = 0 + 1Xi1 + 2Xi2 + 3Xi3 + 4Xi4 + Ui Y= Changing Milk Production ( Liters) X1= Changing Feed Area ( m ) X2=1 Intensive 0 Extensive X3= Water Treatment (Liters) X4= Body Weight ResultsDescriptive Statistics Results ContdResults ContdRegression AnalysisSmall herdR0.572F- Statistics21.758*VariableCoefficientStd.Errort- Statistics0.040*0.02171.8550.325*0.13802.3580.012*0.00552.2530.0020.00710.627 C0.4820.33741.430X1X2X3X4* 10 % significant level * 5 % significant level * 1 % significant levelResults ContdRegression AnalysisLarge herdR0.645F- Statistics18.152*VariableCoefficientStd.Errort- Statistics6.456* 2.6362.44869.758*40.5161.7214.753*2.1822.178-0.0830.164-0.508 C-128.79109.70-1.174X1X2X3X4* 10 % significant level * 5 % significant level * 1 % significant levelResults ContdRegression ResultWater treatment and increasing feed area being the important variable with Positively and significantly affecting milk production in both formsThere are Positively and significantly relationship between milk production and increasing feed area and water treatmentWhen increase feed area in 1m, then the average milk production increase by 0.4% in small herds and 6.45% in large herdsThese independent variables explained 57% and 64%of the overall changes in the milk production of small and large herds respectivelyDiscussionThis intervention will result inIncrease in the number of milking cows due to longer lactation periodsIncrease in milk production due to enhanced nutritionReduction of replacement population due to faster growth in calves and attaining earlier sexual maturityReduction of non-producing population will increase availability of grass to producing animals.Discussion ContdCensus and statistics (2003) indicated only 238,610 cows or 19.5% of the total population is in milkIn this population 295,380 cows or 24.2% are dry cows and 220,550 cows or 18.0% not milked.National average milk production per cow is 1.975 liters, producing 471,255 liters per day. Discussion ContdMilking population increased to 25% or 305,747, and Milk production per cow per day to 2.390 liters Through such interventions can increase milk production by 200,000 liters or 45% per day.GUIDE TO FEEDING CONCENTRATES (350-400kg Cow)IntroductionQuality of GrassQuantity of Grass Free Choice 40kg daily 20kg daily BestFeed for maintenance and production 10 liters milkFeed for maintenance and production 8 liters milk Body maintenance only AverageFeed for maintenance and production 6 liters milk Feed for maintenance and production 4 liters milk Plus additional 0.5 kg concentrates for body maintenance only PoorFeed for maintenance and production of 3 liters milk Feed for maintenance and production of 2 liters of milk Plus additional 1.0 kg concentrates for body maintenance only