THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The reduction in the availability of green grass during hot weather has significantly affected milk production. Milma, which sells 17 lakh litres of milk a day, saw a shortfall of six and a half lakh litres. The shortfall is met by buying milk from Multi Cooperative Dairy in Maharashtra and Nandini in Karnataka. Milma informed that milk production has decreased by 20 percent.

Farmers are hoping that the crisis will be over once the heat subsides and

the rains start.

Earlier, there was a shortage of milk only in the Thiruvananthapuram region. This was resolved by bringing in excess production from the Malabar region. Production in Malabar also declined during summer.

Milma became dependent on Maharashtra when the cows in Karnataka were affected by Lumpy skin disease and the production decreased. Now Milka buying milk from Nandini also.

What to do to prevent drop in milk production

• Cows should be given plenty of water in summer. Do not make sudden changes in the feed.
• Cottonseed and soybeans should be included to add fat and protein to the diet.
• Greens and straw should be given if there is less green grass
• Cows should be bathed daily and should not be tied up in the sun or left to graze
• Increasing heat can cause health problems in hybrid calves