Influence of Roughage: Concentrate Ratio in the Ration and Feed Prices on Profitability of Commercial Dairy Farms

摘要

Feed is the major input factor in all livestock production systems. The productivity of livestock is strongly related to the availability of feed resource. Given the scarcity of feeds and fodder in the country and their rising prices, efficient use offeed resources is important. Simulation of changes in feed and fodder prices on project viability of a herd of 100 dairy animals was done. At the prevailing prices of milk and feed inputs, changes in the roughage: concentrate ratio from 60:40 to 50:50 in case of commercial dairy herd increased the feed cost by 23-24/animal/d. Increased concentrate in diet was economically viable only if there was a corresponding increase in the milk yield by 660-700 g/animal/d. The profitability of the herd is highlysensitive to prices of concentrate with benefit: cost ratio changes from 1.48 to 1.42 for 10% rise in the prices of concentrate.