Searing heat, crop damage send fodder prices soaring in Hry

Sonipat: Haryana's dairy economy is facing severe economic stress as an acute shortage of chopped wheat straw and green fodder has sent cattle feed prices skyrocketing across the state. Triggered by a combination of unseasonal rains, crop-flattening storms, and a 46°C heatwave, the unprecedented summer shortage is hurting dairy farmers, traders, and gaushalas alike, threatening livestock health and milk production.Dry fodder prices have reached historic highs for this time of the year, a trend usually reserved for mid-winter. In the Rohtak fodder market, wheat straw prices jumped 40% over last year to Rs 950 per quintal, while parts of Sirsa and south Haryana are reporting rates as high as Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,300 per quintal. Green fodder varieties like maize and jowar (sorghum) are trading between Rs 300 and Rs 400 per quintal, respectively, while paddy straw has hit Rs 700 to Rs 800 per quintal.Market committee officials and traders attribute the crisis to massive wheat crop damage during the harvesting season. Strong winds blew away residue, while unseasonal rain forced combine harvesters to cut crops from the top, leaving less usable straw behind. Consequently, per-acre straw output plummeted from the usual 7–8 quintals down to just 2–3 quintals. Accidental field fires and a shift away from manual harvesting have further depleted stocks, leading to hoarding by traders anticipating future price hikes.Farmers report declining milk yields as intense heat causes cattle to consume less feed. Animal husbandry experts, including SDO Dr Sanjeev Phogat and veterinary expert Dr Anupama, warned that animals rely heavily on dry fodder when green pastures dry up, compounding the demand. They have urged farmers to prioritise livestock cooling using fans, coolers, and cold-water hydration, warning that a failure to stabilize supplies could permanently damage livestock health and spike consumer milk prices.MSID:: 131351856 413 |