Sustainable Dairy Farming in Bangladesh

Azizunnesa. 2002: Economic opportunity survey on subsistence dairy farm Mymensingh. MS. Thesis. Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The aim of the present study was to focus on the fertility management and economics of subsistence dairy farms. The survey schedule was designed in collaboration with the Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh and School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin Madison, USA. The survey was carried out in 171 small holding dairy farms. There were 5.4 cattle heads per farm. In total, the number of lactating cows, dry cows replacement heifers, male calves and other male cattle were 271, 68, 274,129 and 207, respectively. Different production and fertility related parameters were studied with regard to the economic opportunities. The mean ±SD age at first calving, calving interval, lactation length and milk production per day per cow were 45±8 months, 18±5 months, 290±91 days and .2±2.2 kg, respectively, against the targets of 30 months, 15 months, 305 days and 6 kg, respectively.