Tropical Dairy Farming PDF Book Free Download

October 19, 2025

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Feeding Management for Small Holder Dairy Farmers in the Humid Tropics.

Tropical Dairy Farming provides an in-depth understanding of the principles, practices, and technologies essential for efficient dairy production in tropical climates. Designed for students of dairy science, animal husbandry, and agricultural development, the book bridges scientific knowledge with practical approaches suited to tropical environments.

The text begins with an overview of tropical dairy systems, addressing the constraints and opportunities in milk production under hot and humid conditions. It explores breed selection and genetic improvement, emphasizing crossbreeding strategies and the use of indigenous cattle and buffaloes adapted to local climates.

Core topics include feeding and nutrition management, focusing on tropical forages, crop residues, fodder conservation, and balanced ration formulation. The book also discusses housing design, animal welfare, milking management, and reproductive efficiency, with special attention to the impacts of heat stress and disease prevalence.

Chapters on dairy herd health, parasite control, and clean milk production provide practical guidance for maintaining productivity and quality. The book also highlights sustainable dairy farming practices, such as integrated nutrient recycling, use of renewable energy, water management, and waste utilization (biogas, manure composting).

Economic and policy aspects—including cost of production, cooperative models, value addition, and market linkages—are discussed to support profitable dairy enterprise development in tropical regions.

Illustrated with photographs, tables, and case studies from successful farms across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, the book offers real-world insights into adaptable technologies.

By integrating animal science, environmental management, and socio-economic perspectives, Tropical Dairy Farming serves as an essential resource for students, researchers, extension professionals, and progressive farmers striving to build resilient and sustainable dairy systems in tropical conditions.

Author :John Moran

Chapter 1 – Introduction
Chapter 2 – Tropical dairy systems
Chapter 3 – Small holder dairying
Chapter 4 – What is in feeds?
Chapter 5 – How the rumen works
Chapter 6 – Nutrient requirements of dairy cows
Chapter 7 – How feed requirements change during lactation
Chapter 8 – Growing quality forages
Chapter 9 – Making quality silage
Chapter 10 – Supplements for milking cows
Chapter 11 – Milk responses to supplements
Chapter 12 – Formulating a diet
Chapter 13 – Problems with unbalanced diets
Chapter 14 – Diet and milk production
Chapter 15 – Nutrition and fertility
Chapter 16 – Nutrition and young stock
Chapter 17 – Economics of feeding dairy cows
Chapter 18 – Body condition scoring
Chapter 19 – Overcoming environmental constraints to cow performance
Chapter 20 – Future developments in feeding management in the humid tropics