Identifications of the major factors that influence milk production: The case of dairy farmers in Badulla district, Sri Lanka

Dairy farming remains the economic backbone of livestock farmers in high potential area like Badulla district in Sri Lanka. Though, milk production has been quite low. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the factors affecting dairy cattle milk production in Badulla. Total of 500 dairy farmers were selected using multistage stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Milk production and socio-economic data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire covering 15 divisional secretariats in Badulla. Data were analyzed for descriptive and inferential statistics followed by regression analysis. Results of the study revealed that the intensive dairy cattle farming is operated (87.14%) in up country wet zone. Jersey breed was the major breed (86.4%) accounting for 6.19 L/cow average daily milk production. The highest (10.89±1.73 L/cow/day) and lowest (3.17±0.38 L/cow/day) milk productions were reported in Haputhale and Mahiyangana, respectively. The best fitted multiple linear regression model predicted that R2 value of 62.91% daily milk production suggesting farmers experience, farmer’s age, number of milking cows, forage type, shed condition, concentrate feeding supplement, frequency of concentrate supplement, frequency of water supplement, calves feeding amount age at wean, feeding method of cow, mineral supplement and monthly income of the farmers were significantly (p<0.05) affected by the daily milk production of Badulla district. However, lack of high yielding cross breeds, less success rate in artificial inseminations, low quality pasture and seasonality in pasture production, poor milk collection network and low farmer gate price, high price of concentrates, and inadequate facilities for animals in the estate area were reported as key constraints which need to be properly focused on in future to increase milk production in Badulla district, Sri Lanka. Key words:  Dairy cattle farming, milk production, factors, regression analysis.