DK, Udupi: Milk production recovering after sharp decline; Skin nodule disease in Cattle comes down to zero

Mangaluru: Milk production in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts is recovering after a sharp decline. On the other hand, dairy farmers are breathing a sigh of relief as the skin nodule disease in cattle has come down to zero in the region.

At one point, the state’s milk supply, including that from Mandya and Hassan units, came to a standstill due to the lack of milk production. However, the president of the union engaged senior officers of the KMF to address the issue, and supply resumed.

During the calving season, there has been an average increase of 3,000 liters in milk collection, and further increases are expected as the rainy season approaches and green grass becomes more abundant.

However, the decline in milk production has impacted other milk products, with the production of high-fat Samriddhi milk ceasing, and butter and ghee production decreasing.

To address the situation, the union is considering identifying and encouraging young dairy farmers.

The President of the union, Sucharita Shetty, said that the plan includes offering 20,000 rupees per acre for growing green grass, with a plan to increase it to Rs. 25 thousand.

Additionally, the union is considering increasing dairy farming and providing the cost of cattle to those who are rearing more cattle if there has been a reduction.

The Deputy Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, Dr. Arun Kumar Shetty, expressed optimism, stating that the cutaneous nodule disease had decreased to zero in the region, and milk production is expected to increase as cows calve.

The President of the D.K. Cooperative Milk Producers Union, Sucharita Shetty, noted that storage capacity across the state had increased by 1 lakh liters, and steps would be taken to increase dairy farming in the region.