With
the growing awareness among people, many farmers are showing more
interest in dairy farming. Most of them take over the ownership from
their parents or grandparents. Regardless of the background and
experience you have, there are many things to be taken into
consideration to grow the dairy business and make it a successful
venture.
Planning
a Profitable Dairy Business
Dairy
Business is a profitable venture provided the person is aware of what
he is doing and how to take care of cattle. Dairy farming requires
enough resources, capital and adequate land for keeping the desired
number of cows. It also involves growing good quality fodder, grasses
and legumes to feed the cows sufficiently. You should be prepared to
have enough food to feed the cows according to the requirements
during winter and dry season.
Besides
the mentioned elements, the budget also plays a vital role in
planning and growing your dairy in a profitable way. Every cow should
be given necessary nutrients, vitamins and should be properly fed.
Every dairy business should have a Fatomatic
which is a fat measuring machine. It helps the farmers to know the
fat amount in the milk and if it is less than desirable, it means
that the cow is malnourished. In this way, farmers can increase the
diet of cattle to enhance milk quality.
On
the decision to grow a dairy farm, you should gain adequate skills in
managing the dairy cows regardless of the counts. One can gain the
knowledge and experience by working with experienced dairy farmers or
with livestock extension personnel. This attempt can help you avoid
costly mistakes and losses while making your venture in dairy farming
profitable.
Calculate
your profitability from growing successful dairy farm:
In
most of the towns, a liter of milk is sold at Rs.40 on an average.
Assuming if you have six dairy cows and each is producing about 25
liters of milk per day, what adds to get 150 liters of milk per day?
This sums up a gross income of Rs.6000/- per day and Rs. 180000
in 30 days. However, if you deduct the expenses, the cost of feeds,
supplements, medications, labor and other expenses, you can make a
profit of Rs. 125000 per month. This is quite a good income, which
you can accomplish from a successful dairy farm.
With
young personnel striving hard to complete their education and working
for Rs.10000 or even less per month, rearing livestock can bring them
amazing income, which will also encourage the agricultural sector in
India that has taken a back seat. There is no doubt that such
attempts made by young men and women in India will not only make the
country progressive but will also grow the agricultural sector in
India.
How
to grow Dairy – Tips for a newbie
Change
in weather:
Like humans, cows also get affected by changes in weather conditions.
Their food requirements and other essentials vary according to change
in seasons. However, regardless of the weather condition persisting,
keeping the cows warm and healthy is very important to grow your
dairy. Keeping them clean and dry is also very essential.
This
is a foremost consideration and below mentioned pointers will help
you take your dairy business
to new heights:
1. Dietary
Requirements
Although
cows mostly eat grass, there are also man-made supplements given to
them to produce nutritious milk. Generally, cows survive on the
grass, however, with the agricultural produce reducing in recent
days, they tend to depend on artificially produced supplements for
extra food.
Cows
require many dietary components to stay healthy. Dairy cows that
produce more milk require a higher amount of protein such as
mixed grass-legume pasture, alfalfa, and other protein
supplements. They also need salt and minerals. Keeping them energetic
and healthy is very important to grow the dairy business. Some of the
feeding options for cows are:
- Hay: This is the best option for those who cannot spend on alfalfa which is expensive. Oat and wheat hay are affordable, and they are also a good option to meet the supplementary requirements of the cows.
- Silage: This is a very common option farmers choose to feed their cows. It is a high-quality feed for the cows, and some of the options include silos, haylage, and others.
- Grains: Grains meet the nutritional requirements of cows. It is the highest energy food with high nutritive value. Although cows consume grains naturally in the wild or farm lands, meeting the required amount is important on which the farmers should focus to fulfill by providing extra grains.
2. Health
and Hygiene of the Cattle
It
is important to focus on the health condition of the cows in your
farm, especially during the winter season. Winter season is difficult
for them for the obvious reasons, and if they are bathed it is
essential to dry them, otherwise, they will fall sick or catch
diseases.
Besides,
maintaining the cows in good and nominal weight is very important to
ensure their health. It is recommended to assess the cows once in
every two months. It is also equally important to maintain the body
fat level, which can be increased or decreased by feeding
appropriately.
3.
Morning
boost
Physical
Activity of cows is very important to keep them healthy and increase
dairy production. Try to give the cows a little push in the morning
and give them hay to get warm. Feed them enough in the morning with
all nutritious foods. Sitting in the shelter all day will make their
bones weak, so one should leave them in open fields twice a day as it
keeps them active. Doing so also gives the cattle some fresh air to
breathe.
5.
Proper
shelter
It
is normally observed in the dairy business that people lock the cows
back in godown or build a hall and keep dozens of cows in a single
hall. Building a proper shelter also plays a crucial role in growing
dairy. The shelter you develop should also ensure maintaining
appropriate weather condition indoor, both during summer and winter.
Try to keep the place warm and dry to make the cows feel comfortable,
and there should be a separate shelter room for pregnant cows with
continuous availability of food and water.
6. Protect
cow’s teats
This
is very important. Try to ensure that their teats are dry, especially
when leaving the milking stall or feed area. If their teats are dirty
and not properly washed, it can catch the infection, itch them and
also affect the quality of milk. So for a healthy and long life of
your farm animal and adequate supply of milk, it is essential to keep
their teats clean and dry as the cooperative societies and dairy
farms have milk analyzer
that can easily determine the quality of milk.
Conclusion:
In
addition to the above-stated tips and guide to growing dairy in a
profitable way, it is also important to develop a detailed business
plan. Adopt appropriate ways to market the milk produced. Try to hire
the right people who are not only dedicated but experienced. Try to
buy bulk feeds at the best prices, however, never compromise on the
quality. Moreover, try to reduce your unwanted expenses when
attempting to grow dairy farm.
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