Precision dairy farming: The next dairy marvel

Abstract

India emerging as world's largest producer with the annual milk production reaching to the level of 133 million tons in 2012-13 (BAHS 2012-13). Dairy farming is the single largest contributors to Indian GDP and employment. It contributes 5 percent of GDP and involves 70 million farming households. The productivity in the sector is six times below its potential at current factors costs. Poor yield (output per dairy animal) explains the gap between current and potential productivity. The yield is low due to inadequate dairy management, poor animal husbandry and poor quality animals. So, there is need of suitable and proper managemental techniques which can improve the efficiency of production. Precision livestock farming can become a tool in this context. Precision Livestock Farming is the principal means by which sensors will be used in livestock farming. Unlike traditional mechanization, which depended on large equipment applied to large production units, "precision dairy management" uses sensor-based management tools that define animal needs and automatically delivers individual management applications. © 2014 Singh SP, et al.