Dairy & Livestock
Why Dairy Cows Overheat Even With Fans
In the 45°C pre-monsoon heat of Birbhum, a dairy cow is not primarily stressed by sunlight. She is stressed by her own rumen. The rumen is a fermentation chamber that produces large amounts of metabolic heat. When feeding, housing, and cooling are poorly timed, this internal heat stacks on top of environmental heat and pushes
Why Most Calf Rearing Fails on Small Farms and How to Fix It
Successful calf rearing on small natural farms depends on early immunity transfer, controlled milk access, clean housing, gradual rumen development, and minimal stress, not on expensive feeds or medicines. At Terragaon Farms in Birbhum, West Bengal, calves raised under natural, low-intervention systems showed stronger immunity, better growth consistency, and lower mortality than calves raised with
Heat Stress Is Quietly Destroying Dairy Profit in Indian Summers
Heat stress is one of the biggest hidden productivity killers in Indian dairy systems. Cows begin to experience heat stress when body heat production exceeds their ability to dissipate it, often at temperatures above 27–28°C when humidity is high. In Indian summers, especially in eastern and central regions, unmanaged heat stress reduces feed intake, fertility,
Why Small Dairy Farms Fail and How to Avoid Common Mistakes
Small dairy farms fail not because farmers lack effort, but because they copy large-dairy logic into small-farm realities. At Terragaon Farms in Birbhum, West Bengal, the most common dairy mistakes involved overfeeding concentrates, choosing unsuitable breeds, ignoring soil–fodder linkage, misreading animal health signals, and chasing yield instead of stability. These mistakes increase costs, stress animals,
A2 Milk Profitability on Small Farms
A2 milk can be profitable on small farms only when produced using indigenous cows under low-input systems. At Terragaon Farms in Birbhum, West Bengal, A2 milk profitability came not from higher milk yield but from lower feed costs, reduced veterinary expenses, stable fertility, and reliable local pricing. Small farms that chase volume fail. Small farms
Indigenous Cow Breeds for Small Farms in India
Indigenous or ‘desi’ cow breeds are better suited for small farms in India because they are biologically adapted to local climate stress, low-input feeding systems, disease pressure, and irregular management conditions. At Terragaon Farms in Birbhum, West Bengal, desi cow like Gir, Sahiwal and local non-descript indigenous cows consistently showed better health stability, lower veterinary
Reading Dung: Using Manure as a Diagnostic Tool on Small Dairy Farms
In the daily rhythm of a smallholder dairy farm in Birbhum, the focus almost inevitably drifts toward the milk bucket. Volume, fat percentage, and SNF (Solids Not Fat) are the metrics that determine the daily payout. However, focusing solely on output often masks the inefficiencies of the input. At Terragaon Farms, we have learned through
Natural Feeding Strategy for Indigenous Cows in Eastern India
Indigenous cows evolved on local pastures and require a different approach than high-input breeds. At Terragaon Farms in Birbhum and on similar small farms in Eastern India, we have designed feeding plans around the natural cycles of our land and the strengths of native cows. This strategy prioritises local forage, seasonal fodder planning, and simple
Daily Routine of a Small Natural Dairy Farm
Why daily routine matters more than inputs On a small natural dairy farm, routine is not a timetable. It is the system itself. Feed quality, animal health, milk yield, labour stress, and even veterinary costs are shaped less by what you buy and more by how consistently daily work is done. At Terragaon Farms in
Indigenous Cows in Indian Dairy: Economics, Care, and Limits
Indigenous cows are often discussed in extremes. They are either romanticised as the perfect solution for all problems or dismissed as unproductive and outdated. Both views miss reality. On small farms, indigenous cows work well not because of belief, but because of fit. They also fail when expectations are misplaced. At Terragaon Farms in Birbhum,
