Introduction

• A dairy is a place for handling milk and milk products.
• Technology refers to the application of scientific knowledge for practical purpose.
• Dairy technology has been defined as that branch of dairy science which deals with the processing of milk and the manufacture of milk products on an industrial scale.

Domestication of Dairy Animals

• Cows have been domesticated during the early Vedic age (probably 3000 BC) and have been highly acclaimed for the value of their milk, manure and bullocks.
• Buffaloes have been entered into Nepal much later (about 1500 BC) and Yak/Nak even later (may be 500 BC).
• The domesticated Yak (male) and the Nak (female) are the basic stock from which the most important dairy animals (Chauries) are produced in the northern alpine area of Nepal, generally between 2000 to 5000 meters.
• Yak/Nak herds are grazed in higher pasture ranges, usually between 3000 to 5000 meters height whereas the Chauries herds are kept on slightly lower level i.e. 2000 to 4000 meters height above sea level. Both types of herds move up during the summer and down to lower pasture during the winter months.

• Hump less lulu cows are found across the mountains in Mustang valley and small cows are found in Acham area which are usually known as Achame cows.
• Buffaloes are generally supposed to be concentrated in warm and moist climate, but in Nepal they have been domesticate under different climatic conditions and at varying altitudes.
• Buffalo herds are grazed at even 3500 meters. However, they are mostly confined in the plains and valley, on the slopes of Mahabharata range at about 1500-2000 meters height and along the downstream watershed areas of rivers of Nepal.