Economic viability of milk production in seasonal pasture-based production system in temperate region of India

The present study was carried out to assess the economic viability of milk production in a seasonal pasture-based production system in temperate region of India.For this study, six years data related to economic viability of milk production was collected from dairy unit of Division Livestock Production Management.It was observed that when crossbred Jersey cows were reared under a seasonal pasture-based production system, the average total expenditure cost per animal per annum was Rs. 94447.86/-andamong this, total feed cost contributed around 60.49%.In total feed cost incurred per annum per animal, concentrate contributes around 68.70% and fodder cost contributes 31.29% of the total feed cost, which was incurred only during the winter season.Average net returns per annum per animal, per day, per litres of milk production and cost of production under seasonal pasture-based production system were Rs.20458.53/-,Rs. 56.05/-, Rs. 6.71/-and Rs. 29.96/-, respectively.After the deduction of labour cost, the average total expenditure cost per annum per animal was reduced to 34.30%, and the average net returns per annum per animal was increased by 61.29%.The cost of milk production was also decreased by 33.64% as a result of a decrease in average total expenditure cost per animal per year (34.30%).