High demand for Erode cows in DK, Udupi as regions struggles with milk shortage: Report
Mangaluru: Facing a persistent milk shortage, dairy farmers in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts are increasingly sourcing high-yielding cows from Erode in Tamil Nadu, a region known for its superior dairy cattle.
Over the past 18 months, more than 360 cows from Erode have been brought in with support from the Dakshina Kannada Milk Union Limited (DKMUL), The New Indian Express reported.
While local Jersey cows produce an average of 15 litres of milk per day, cows from Erode reportedly yield up to 30 litres, making them an attractive option for farmers aiming to boost output. DKMUL facilitates weekly visits to Erode’s Thursday cattle fair, where its officials, including veterinarians, accompany interested farmers.
These teams help verify the animals’ health and productivity of the animals before purchase, with DKMUL covering both transportation and insurance expenses.
Priced between Rs 60,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh, these high-yield cows are part of a broader strategy to bridge the gap between supply and demand. DKMUL currently produces around 3.97 lakh litres of milk daily—short of the 5 lakh litres required—forcing the procurement of additional milk from districts like Hassan, Mysuru, and Dharwad.
To address the shortage long-term, DKMUL is also investing in embryo transfer technology, wherein fertilised embryos from superior donor cows are implanted into local cattle. So far, 40 cows have undergone the procedure, which costs Rs 21,000 each. Farmers pay only Rs 1,000, with the rest subsidised by the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), DKMUL, and the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, added the report.
The effort is already showing results. In 2025–26, daily milk collection has risen by 16% compared to the previous year. DKMUL president Raviraj Hegde attributes this rise to a combination of factors such as better pricing for milk procurement, distribution of silage (nutrient-rich green fodder), and strategic support to farmers.
At Rs 40.76 per litre for milk with 4.4% fat and 8.5% SNF (solids-not-fat), DKMUL currently offers the highest procurement price in the state, TNIE quoted Hegde as saying.
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Minor girl kidnapped and raped; main accused and two cafe owners held
Latur (PTI): A minor girl was allegedly kidnapped and raped by an 18-year-old man in Latur, leading to the arrest of the main accused and owners of two cafes where the crime occurred on December 4, police said on Saturday.
Police traced the girl within hours of registering the complaint. The accused, identified as Rihan Gulab Shaikh, was arrested based on the girl's complaint. Two others are owners of two cafes where the crime occurred, police said.
Police registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), POCSO Act, and the Prevention of Atrocities Act, an official said.
