Cattle Farming Meaning
Let’s talk about cattle farming. We live in a country where there is a belief that God is in every form-from stars to stones, from oceans to lands, from humans to animals; everywhere we look, there is the Almighty. With that faith in mind, you must have felt how we have this sense of empathy towards animals and especially our dearest holy cow (Gau Mata), the sacred being that is seen as the true essence of purity and prosperity. Not just this , other animals like bulls, calves, goats, etc. are equally showered with love and care poured from the hearts of farmers, for whom they are their bread and butter, under the term-Cattle farming.
Now, what is Cattle Farming?
Practicing the craft of breeding and domesticating animals like cows, bulls, calves , etc. for various purposes to have a decent livelihood in farmlands is called cattle farming.
To create a realistic example, let’s visualize the scenario : On a hot summer day, a large mass of land is being ploughed by bulls, the wife of the farmer brings in buttermilk for the entire family made from fresh cow milk, the grandmother is cooking a decent meal on ignited clean fuel created from cow dung, and the kids are playing around with baby goats whose mother is grazing around the corner, clearing out weeds and bushes. That right there is an average day of a cattle farming household.
Benefits of cattle farming
In this ever-growing economy , and with environmental changes, it has become very difficult for a farmer to survive solely based on their lands. Factors like climate change (global warming) have caused unpredictable complications on farmlands due to irregular rainfall. Fluctuating crop prices have caused major distress in their livelihood as well. Talking about the financial burden, the cost of farming equipment and machinery and other debts taken from moneylenders and zamindars have gone through the roof in no time. Feeding and educating their families in this modern, expensive era is a toll that never goes away .
Cattle farmers have the benefit of repurposing their assets as income and gain better control of their lives ; thus , having a second source of income – a helping hand in this misery-is like a blessing in disguise.
- Starting with the best-Cows are a source of abundance in themselves ; they help farmers with a stable source of income by providing milk, which can be repurposed into dairy products and sold for profit. Cow dung possesses superpower abilities, acting as clean fuel, healthy manure for amazing soil health , and cow urine as a pest repellent-ensuring great crop flow.
- Bulls are used for ploughing fields, transporting goods , and mating purposes, which , after the calf is born, can be nurtured into the same process or sold for stability.
- Goats and sheep are utilized for providing meat, leather, and wool for sale, thus ensuring financial stability. Goat milk is again used as a source of dairy production and also helps crop health by demolishing weeds and bushes.
- In the end, cattle farming brings employment opportunities in rural areas-from milking, feeding, to the process of sales and domestication.
Also read: What is Bee Farming? Why is it important?
What are the challenges in cattle farming?
Not everything that is shiny and yellow is gold; every farmer has faced multiple challenges in the process of being a true cattle farmer. Like every other being on this planet, animals too need proper care and maintenance for a healthy and long life.
- Farmers have to maintain proper veterinary measures to ensure that their cattle are not prone to diseases like mastitis and foot-and-mouth.
- Expensive medical bills, fodder , and other supplements take a toll on farmers ‘ pockets but must be addressed .
- Climate change has not only impacted the crops but also the availability of water and fodder for the cattle , hence causing difficulties . Many farmers lack proper shelter; thus, extreme weather conditions like excessive heat impact cattle health , resulting in poor production.
- Quality breeds are a rare sight these days, and due to high prices and rising struggles, breeders tend to mix breeds, reducing the availability of true cattle.
- Fluctuations in dairy prices have caused farmers to suffer.
- A lack of modern knowledge results in farmers remaining stuck in outdated practices in farmlands.
Solution to these challenges
All it takes is belief and unity to support and deal with these issues, and the result will always be fruitful.
- Timely checkups and deworming to ensure cattle health is one step toward proper maintenance and care.
- Setting up storage facilities and measures to ensure timely water and fodder availability like rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation for fodder crops is one way to proceed .
- Growing better feeder crops for the cattle helps with cost management and ensures timely food availability with zero dependency on other sources.
- Building properly ventilated, safe, and clean shelters for the cattle protects them from both weather fluctuations and diseases.
- Spreading knowledge about modern practices encourages progress and saves time and energy, which can be better spent on cattle care as well.