The Directorate of Extension Education, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), organised a training on ‘Quality Fodder Production, Processing and Marketing’ for officials of the dairy development department.
Dairy Development Department Joint Director Kashmir Singh said quality fodder was the foundation for the growth of the sector in the state. He said the department’s field functionaries work in close association with dairy farmers in a variety of roles. It is therefore necessary for them to equip themselves with the knowledge of the latest technologies that are developed by the university.
Fodder research specialist Harinder Singh gave a detailed account of the process of selecting crop verities, harvesting and then drying them for the preparation of hay. Dr Navjot Singh Brar talked on the package of practices recommended for the production of fodder crops. He elaborated on the various methods of cultivation, irrigation, fertilisation and protection.
Dr Parminder Singh, underlining the importance of silage in milk production, explained techniques for production of good quality silage. He said anti-quality factors in silage were a major concern and farmers must be cautious.
Dr J S Lamba focused on alternate fodder for dairy animals. He talked about methods to increase the nutritious value of low-quality fodders for feeding dairy animals. A visit to the fodder and silage area of the university’s dairy farm was also arranged.
