Bathinda, October 11, 2017: The Chief Agriculture Officer, Bathinda, Dr Gurditta Singh Sidhu on Thursday advised farmers to use paddy stubble as feed for the cattle so as to easily dispose it off as feed with good nutritional value. He stated that as per the Rajasthan Veterinary University experts, stubble is a good source of energy and feed for the cattle.
He stated that farmers into dairy farming are greatly benefitted using it. He said that at this time of the year, farmers use dry fodder as feed which costs Rs 350 per quintal and if the stubble is used, it costs just Rs 100 per quintal. He added that the stubble can be fed to all the animals (which ruminate) above age of 6 months. To the non-milk yielding animals it can be fed at 50 percent as part of diet and to the milk yielding animals it can be fed as 30 percent as part of diet.
There were many ways to manage the paddy stubble, but using it as fodder was the cheapest means for farmer. For three animals, three acres of stubble is used and the nutritional value of stubble was equal to that of the other crops, he said adding that in the southern states, where there is no wheat cultivation and wheat stubble is not available, dairy farmers use paddy stubble as animal fodder.
Dr Gurditta Singh Sidhu added that as per the Rajasthan Veterinary University experts the harvested stubble should be stored within 2 to 10 days so that its taste-worthy for the animal. After shredding stubble into pieces, it should be mixed with animal feed. On the recommendations of animal husbandry department, the stubble can be treated with urea to increase its taste and nutritional value. Also pickle of the stubble can be prepared.