The Department of Livestock handed over 3,087 kgs of feed blocks to the Chairperson of Haalung Lhanor Nyamlay Tshokdhey, Haa as an alternative winter feed resource for yaks lask week. The feed blocks were produced by the National Highland Research and Development Center (NHRDC) and the National Research Development Center for Animal Nutrition (NRDCAN), Bumthang. Feed block is a composite of paddy straw (88%), molasses (10%), slat (1%) and mineral mixture (1%).
Next to wildlife depredation, the shortage of feed and fodder mainly in yaks during the lean period in winter is reported to be a major concern in highland Dzongkhags. The reduced feed supply from natural pastures to meet the feed demand of highland animals in the winter months as well as the limited supply of supplementary feeds result in low calving and growth rates due to the poor body condition of the animals. The lack of adequate feed resources also leads to reduced productivity and mortality of animals (yak, horse and sheep) while on migration from winter lowlands to the higher summer grazing areas.
Recognizing the urgent need to provide alternative feed resources especially in the four winter months (December to March), the NHRDC and NRDCAN initiated feed block production to be supplied to highlanders. The production of feed blocks was done by farmers’ groups in different Dzongkhags with technical support from NHRDC and NRDCAN. The feed blocks were then procured by NHRDC through the Highland Development Program to be supplied to the highlanders to address the feed shortage and provide nutritional supplementation to the animals.
This initiative is rolled out on a pilot basis to assess the impact of winter feed supplementation on the overall health of yaks in the lean months and based on its success, this intervention can be further strengthened to help the highland communities and their animals.
Ministry of Agriculture and Forests
