Imbalanced feeding leads to excess feeding of some nutrients whilst others remain deficient (Photo 1). This not only reduces milk production and increases costs per kg milk, but also affects various physiological functions including long term animal health, fertility and productivity. To ensure improved productivity it is necessary to augment and secure feed resources through short and long term planning. It is also essential that milk producers feed their animals the nutrients in amounts that match the physiological needs and objective of keeping the animal. Where possible locally available feeds should be used. Since many smallholder farmers do not have.
