The recent spike in wheat husk prices, rising from ₹400-500 to ₹900-1,200 per quintal, is creating a crisis for cow shelters (gaushalas) and dairy farmers across Punjab. This essential component of cattle feed is increasingly being diverted to industrial uses, particularly by brick kilns and biomass power plants. With around 524 gaushalas housing approximately 3.15 lakh cows, the financial strain is severe, as many rely on public donations for sustenance. Gaushala operators, like Sanjeev Jain from Patiala, are calling for government measures to reserve wheat husk for shelters and small dairy farmers, alongside the creation of district-level fodder banks. Concerns have also been raised by animal welfare advocates about the potential decline in cattle health and milk production due to unaffordable fodder. The Punjab Gau Sewa Commission is advocating for restrictions on industrial wheat husk usage to alleviate the pressures on gaushalas, which are already struggling financially. This situation poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of thousands of families reliant on dairy farming in the region.