Peshawar – The Livestock and Dairy Growth Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has efficiently cultivated a brand new high-nutrition beetroot selection on a trial foundation as cattle feed, in a transfer aimed toward bettering dairy cows’ well being and enhancing milk manufacturing.
The pilot challenge was carried out on the Authorities Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm in Harichand, Charsadda district, the place officers described the cultivation as a first-of-its-kind initiative within the province.
“That is the primary time a extremely nutritious beetroot selection has been cultivated on the farm to be used as feed for milking cows,” stated Subject Assistant Inayatullah.
He stated the crop was cultivated on 12 kanals of land, producing an estimated 3,000 beetroot bulbs per kanal, with every bulb weighing between 9 and 10 kilograms.
The division plans to check the produce on dairy cattle to evaluate its results on animal well being and milk yield.
In keeping with officers, round seven beetroot bulbs are enough for one imported Friesian Australian cow in a single feeding, whereas 4 to 5 bulbs are satisfactory for a neighborhood breed.
Highlighting the crop’s dietary worth, Inayatullah stated beetroot supplied sturdy yields even on comparatively small items of land and offered a stage of vitality not generally present in conventional fodder crops.
He stated the bulbs include almost 20 per cent pure sugars, making them an necessary vitality supply for livestock, whereas the leaves include as much as 16 per cent crude protein.
Officers stated the entire plant aids digestion and will enhance milk thickness by as a lot as 2 to 2.5 per cent.
“The target behind the experiment is to introduce a fodder crop that may additionally function a dependable vitality supply for livestock,” stated Mission Coordinator Dr Siraj-ud-Din.
He added that the leaves had been additionally palatable and appropriate as feed for cattle and different ruminants, together with goats and sheep.
Sharing particulars of the expenditure, Inayatullah stated the division spent round Rs100,000 on cultivation over 4 kanals, masking labour, seed, fertiliser and irrigation.
That space yielded roughly 12,000 beetroot bulbs. Primarily based on a median weight of eight kilograms per bulb, officers estimated the full output at 96,000 kilograms.
At an estimated market worth of Rs10 per kilogram, the produce might generate round Rs960,000, in response to the division.
Officers stated the beetroot selection might supply farmers a sensible and worthwhile various amid rising fodder costs, whereas additionally serving to enhance livestock vitamin and milk high quality.
They stated farmers with entry to their very own land might domesticate the crop on 4 kanals for round Rs100,000, whereas manufacturing prices on leased land might rise to just about Rs200,000.
Even then, officers estimated that growers might earn earnings ranging between Rs700,000 and Rs800,000 from a 96,000-kilogram yield.
Farmers within the new crop can acquire technical steering and seed from the Harichand Dairy Farm and different livestock amenities working throughout the province.
