Punjab cow breeders complain of falling trade

Holstein Friesian's sales take a hit as buyers are dissuaded by the tedious paper work and permissions from state authorities

Punjab is having a problem in retaining its earlier leadership in supplying high-yielding milk cows.

Inter-state trade in the high-yield Holstein Friesian (HF) variety, cross-bred with imported bull semen from the US, has been hit by tedious paperwork, dissuading buyers from other states. The inter-state bovine sale is an estimated Rs 2,500 crore industry in Punjab.

“Due to stagnant returns on milk and spiralling commodity prices, relying only on milk sales is not remunerative. Supplementary income from breeding animals is imperative. But, the declining demand for cattle due to restrictions imposed on sale of cows has pulled down the price and it has become a loss making proposition,” said Daljit Singh, president, Progressive Dairy Farmers’ Association, Punjab.

He said vehicles of traders being impounded by self-styled cow protectors was a recent and rising problem.  “A cow breeder in Punjab incurs Rs 80,000-90,000 on rearing a cow till its first pregnancy. Due to the high awareness level and availability of high-quality semen, small breeders mushroomed in the state during the past few years.

On reaching the first pregnancy stage, Punjab cows earlier used to fetch around Rs 1.25 lakh per head or even more. The average price has come down to Rs 60,000-70,000, a loss of Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 per cow. Earlier, he used to earn a profit of Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 each,” he said.

According to the state's animal husbandry department, Punjab contributes 5.2 per cent of cow milk in India, with only 1.3 per cent of the cattle. The reason being higher proportion of cross-breeds and their higher    output in Punjab.

Karnataka is the only alternative source of HF cows and cattle breeding has been picking up there. However, cows in Punjab are fed on scientifically combined meals; in Karnataka, it is mostly natural grazing. The yield is higher in Punjab; with those in a progressive dairy farm fetching 25-65 kg a day. In Karnataka, it is 15-40 kg a day. There is also more cattle in-breeding in Karnataka, resulting in lower yield.