Production and Economic Characteristics of Intensive and Semi- Intensive Dairy Cattle Management Systems in Vegetable Based Farming System in Welimada, Sri Lanka

The objective of this study was to identify and compare different dairy cattle management systems in vegetable based farming system in Welimada division in Badulla district (up country wet and intermediate zones) with respect to their production and economic characteristics. Data were collected from 92 randomly selected vegetable based dairy farmers using a structured questionnaire and milk payment registers of milk collectors. Means of various production and economic parameters of management systems were compared. Intensive and semi-intensive management systems were present in Welimada area. Twenty six % of dairy farmers had primary education and 64.6% had studied up to GCE (O/L) while the rest had completed GCE (A/L). Educational background had no significant effect on the income of farmers from dairying. Mean herd sizes of intensive and semi-intensive management systems were 4.1 and 3.2 animal units (AU), respectively. Compared to semi-intensive system, intensive system was significantly lower (P 0.05) in milk yield per herd, income and labour and other costs (concentrates, drugs and services) per herd leading to non significant (P>0.05) profit differences. Net returns per herd (excluding labour cost) were Rs. 281 and 177 per day for intensive and semi-intensive systems, respectively. When labour cost was not included in profit calculation, the mean net income per day per AU received by the farmers under intensive system was higher (P>0.05) compared to semi-intensive system. Introduction of good manure management practices and establishment of good quality pasture and fodder in the contour lines of the farm as well as a fence line would help to reduce the labour cost for cutting grass and expenses for concentrate feeding while increasing the profit. Upgrading of animals can also lead to higher production in the herd under a semi-intensive system. Key words: Dairy cattle production; management systems; up country wet and intermediate zones. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tar.v22i3.3704 Tropical Agricultural Research 22(3) (2011) 314-323