Rearing Systems

1) Extensive system:

• Also known as the grazing system, animals are reared on external grazing alone, in which 90% of dry matter fed to them comes from rangelands, pastures, annual forages and purchased feed and less than 10% of the total value of production comes from non-livestock farming activities.

2) Semi-intensive system:

• In this system which is most prevalent in India, animals are housed in covered enclosures. They are taken out to graze during the day and provided feed and fodder when they return. Quite often, the system is similar to mixed farming system.

3) Intensive system:

• This highly evolved system involves rearing in closed enclosures, where average stocking rates are greater than 10 livestock units per hectare. Common in developed countries like the USA and UK, it is also found in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh in India.

Housing Management :

• Among good farming practices, attention to the housing of dairy cattle is important.
• This is essential to ensure safe and quality milk from healthy animals kept under acceptable conditions, buffering the animals from adverse weather conditions.
• Care should be taken to provide comfortable spacing, hygiene, durable housing, and arrangements for hygienic milking.

Types of Housing

• Dairy cattle may be housed under a wide variety of conditions, ranging from close confinement to little restrictions except at milking time.
• Two types of dairy barns are in general use: the loose housing barn in combination with some type of milking barn or parlor and the conventional dairy shed.