Haryana: Due to the severe heat in the surrounding areas including Loharu and Satnali of Bhiwani district for the last month, the milk production capacity of dairy animals has been badly affected and it has decreased by about 30 percent.
The cattle breeders of the area say that due to the severe heat and heat wave day by day, the animal which earlier used to give 15 liters of milk per day, is now able to give only 7 to 8 liters of milk.
People in rural areas have no other option except bathing the animals or tying them in the roof. On top of that, due to the shortage of green fodder, milk production is decreasing day by day. Due to the decrease in milk production and demand in ceremonies, the prices of milk and its products have started skyrocketing. Here cow milk is being sold at the rate of 40 to 50 rupees and buffalo milk at the rate of 60 to 65 rupees per liter. There is a huge shortage of lassi and rabri, which are considered the pride of rural areas.
People have demanded from the government that in view of this summer season, there should be a ban on mawa etc. made from milk, so that the common man can get some relief from the shortage of milk. However, there are about 25 milk committees in the area, from where milk goes to the milk plant. Earlier, about 2000 quintals of milk used to be supplied here, and now it has come down to about 1400 quintals. Here, milch animals are seen in every fourth, fifth house. Thousands of quintals of milk produced in the area.
According to senior veterinary doctor Ramlal Mund, stress increases in animals in summer. In this season, animal keepers should feed green fodder, feed the animals a solution of jaggery and water. Apart from this, calcium and mineral mixture can also be given. He told that due to very high temperature in animals, milk production decreases significantly. At the same time, physical problems of animals also increase in summer season.
This problem is more common in buffaloes and crossbred cows. The black colour of buffaloes absorbs the sun’s rays immediately. Similarly, the crossbred cows do not have the ability to tolerate heat as their breeding area is very cold. Due to heat stroke, animals usually start panting and their body temperature increases. It can be between 104 Fahrenheit and 105 Fahrenheit.
To protect from heat, the animal should be tied in a shady place. These days, fans and coolers can be installed at the place where the animal is tied. Planting shady trees in the courtyard of the house also keeps the surrounding environment cool. Animals should be bathed with cold water in the morning and evening and they should be given water four to five times.
If the animal still suffers from heat symptoms or heat stroke, then it can be given three to four litres of glucose through injection. If there is fever, medicines can be given to reduce it. Animal keepers living in villages can take their animals to the pond at both the times. If the animal appears seriously sick, it should be treated at your nearest animal hospital or dispensary.