Stage 01
Calves
Priority
Colostrum, milk/replacer, starter, water
Watch for
Failure of passive transfer; scour; low ADG
Gir
Opening…
Gir cattle perform on indigenous forage systems when energy, protein, minerals, and water match lactation stage and climate.
25–30 kg/day
5–7 kg/day
BCS + milk
Shade + water
Gir are Bos indicus dairy cattle adapted to tropical heat and variable forage. Nutrition programmes should support milk solids and fertility without copying high-input Holstein TMR recipes blindly.
Maximise quality green fodder and regional crop residues; balance energy and protein by stage; supply minerals for local deficiencies; protect rumen health with fibre length and gradual ration changes; provide clean water and shade so maintenance cost of cooling does not steal milk energy.
5 entries · comparison ledger
Stage 01
Priority
Colostrum, milk/replacer, starter, water
Watch for
Failure of passive transfer; scour; low ADG
Stage 02
Priority
Steady growth to breeding weight/age
Watch for
Over-fattening that harms future fertility
Stage 03
Priority
Energy density after calving; minerals
Watch for
BCS loss; milk fever risk in high-risk herds
Stage 04
Priority
Maintain BCS; smooth transition ration
Watch for
Abrupt ration shifts; metabolic disease
Stage 05
Priority
Controlled energy for semen quality
Watch for
Obesity; loss of libido
When THI is high, shift major feeding to cooler hours to protect intake.
Drinking water availability is a production input, not a luxury in summer.
Shade and ventilation cut the maintenance cost of cooling — milk energy stays in the pail.
Monsoon greens vs dry-season silage, hay, and crop residue is as important as daily ration maths.
25–30 kg green and 5–7 kg dry fodder are starting points for mature cows. Forage dry-matter content, CP, and NDF must be estimated or tested. Scale concentrate to production and stage — then watch BCS and milk.
Order-of-magnitude guides often cite 25–30 kg green fodder per day for a mature cow, adjusted for dry-matter content, body size, and milk yield — always scale to BCS and milk response.
Yes. High THI reduces intake even in heat-adapted breeds. Night feeding, shade, ventilation, and continuous clean water protect milk energy.
Not blindly. Gir are Bos indicus dairy cattle on tropical forage systems. Maximise quality local fodder, balance energy and protein by stage, and protect rumen fibre — then layer concentrate carefully.