Deficit in animal feed, fodder in hill states, says expert

Naveen Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, recently inaugurated a seminar on ‘Recent trends in the use of distillers’ dried grains with soluble (DDGS) in animal feeding’ at Dr GCN College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences.

In his inaugural address, Kumar highlighted the deficit in fodder and feed availability in hilly states. He said while around 36 per cent of the state’s land was designated for pastures and grazing, it provided sufficient feed for only a few months, primarily during the rainy season. Kumar emphasised the urgent need for alternative feeds to bridge the gap. He said the government’s policy for promoting ethanol as a biofuel had led to its increased production from grains such as maize, a practice previously limited to the sugarcane industry. The residual product, DDGS, is rich in vitamins and minerals, offering a viable solution to meet the nutritional demands of domestic cattle. He also emphasised that sustainable and productive animal husbandry could be ensured through customised feed solutions.

College Dean Ravindera Kumar highlighted the importance of the DDGS. Shivani Katoch, head of the department of Animal Nutrition, welcomed the dignitaries and farmers attending the seminar.

Guest speaker Dinesh Bhosle, former chairman, Compound Livestock Feed Manufactures’ Association, was the key speaker during the seminar. Bhosale highlighted the technical details of production of DDGS and underlined the importance of quality control to ensure consistency in animal feed results.

A total of 50 farmers from adjoining villages, along with seven NGOs, gained knowledge of the use of DDGS as animal feed during the seminar, which highlighted the university’s commitment to promoting latest practices in animal husbandry management and creating an enlightening environment for the benefit of the veterinary and agricultural community.