Dairy cows can give you daily income/Courtesy photo
By Micheal Kabenge Mugalaasi
Starting a dairy farm is not an easy task. A new dairy farm needs a lot of planning and capital.
Planning, however, is the big word here! You cannot wake up one morning, check your bank account, buy stuff and start a dairy farm. Starting a dairy farm needs more than money. It requires planning and clear goals of where you are going and what you need to achieve in this business. If you add a bit of passion to the mix, you are destined for success.
We are going to focus on two important factors which are the main determinants to milk production; Breed selection and Feeding. Other honourable productivity mentions include; Health, reproduction and housing. If you get these steps right, then you are on the right track to success in dairy farming business.
Look for a good breed
You are starting a dairy farm to get milk and make money, right? Yes! Knowing the right breed to buy is a priority because it will determine how much milk you get daily. This is on assumption that you will manage your farm well by feeding your cows right and making sure they don’t get sick or treated well.
Below are some of the main and good breeds for milk;
Fresian: The Fresian has a milk yield between 25–30 litres per day.
Jersey: The Jersey breed has a milk yield between 15–20 litres per day.
Ayrshire: The Ayrshire has a milk yield of 20 litres per day.
Guernsey: The Guernsey cow can give you up to 25 litres per day.
Fleckvieh: The Fleckvieh breed is a multi-purpose, meaning it can be used for milk and meat. It produces between 18-20 litres per day.
Follow the right breeding programs to ensure your cow gives birth every year. It’s a huge blessing when your cow gives birth every year. It’s a big deal. It ensures you have a constant flow of milk and new cows to replace the old ones.
Always use artificial insemination (AI) to breed your dairy cows. AI gives you imported, superior, disease-free bull semen that will improve your herd.
It is cheaper to buy local breeds and use AI to perfect them over the years. It is time-consuming but it will save you a lot of money as a beginner farmer.
Feeding
Cows are simple creatures. Give them food and they will give you milk. Give them enough good and nutritious food and they will give you a lot of milk. Food and water should readily be available to your dairy cows.
The author is a Veterinary Officer and an Agronomist. He can be reached via; 0757903213
