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ThesisItem Open Access Techno- economic analysis of mid- size organised dairy farm(Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Ayub, A; KAU; Joseph, MathewSeven farms in three districts of Kerala (Palakkad, Malappuram and Thrissur) were studied taking University Livestock Farm (ULF), Mannuthy as control. Feeding, breeding, health, marketing and economics of these farms were studied. Peak yield was seen achieved before one month of lactation. Persistency was optimum in 28% of farms. Occurrence of disease was more in large farms. Mastitis was the major cause of economic loss followed by Lameness and dermatitis. Among reproductive parameters, calving interval and service period were not ideal in all the farms. Best reproductive performance was observed in the ULF and this included a calving interval of 358 days and service period of 82 days respectively. Rearing of calves was not adequate in almost all the farms visited. Calf scour and Joint ill were the common diseases observed among calves. Farmers were reluctant to maintain replacement stock as it was not economical. Vaccination against Foot and Mouth disease were done in all farms regularly. Feed cost was the most important variable which contributed the major share of expense. Increased use of non conventional feeds reduced feed cost. Roughage consumption was not adequate in many of the farms. Branded feeds were not used in any of the farms except ULF. Crude protein requirement was met through the daily ration as per the National Research Council (NRC) recommendations. Labour was the second largest component in the variable cost. Labour efficiency was more in large farms than medium sized farms. More than 60 percent of labourers were from outside states. Majority (71%) of farms sold milk directly to the consumers to get better profit. Present study revealed that profitability of a farm depended on productivity of the animals which in turn relied on feed, breed and breeding. Efficient utilization of feeds and labour determined the economic viability of farms. Size of the farm was another factor that determined the profitability. Large farms with more than 50 herds were more profitable than medium farms with 25 to 50 animals.