Livestock is an important component of farming system in India and a main income generation avenue to most of the small and marginal farmers. With this intention five villages in Karur district of Tamil Nadu were taken and a baseline survey was conducted to assess the livestock rearing pattern. The results indicated that 81 per cent of the respondents were started practicing deworming and vaccination to their animals, 73 per cent of the farmers started treating their animals in government dispensaries and health camps and 27 per cent of the farmers provided mineral mixture to their animals. Green fodder production area increased to 28 acres by 75 farmers approximately from 15cents to 0.5acres. 48 per cent farmers started to market the milk by direct sale and forming milk societies and sell the cow milk for Rs.38/- and 55/- for buffalo milk. Due to this the net return from the dairy animals become Rs.2700/- to 3600/- per month per animal. However, the adoption rate is low in scientific feeding management practices (31%).

Keyword: Livestock rearing; Extension approaches; Production & Productivity.