Did you know that you can earn over 50,000 shillings every month from dairy farming with only 5 cows? Kenya is among the highest performers in Africa in terms of dairy farming. Kenya uses high breeders that in turn yields over 50 liters of milk in a day.
This comes about with good management of the dairy cows and everything that involves dairy farming. Dairy farming has grown tremendously in the past years, from just being a hobby. It has been transformed into a full blown business venture. Many people have even gone to the extent of quitting their jobs so as to concentrate on dairy farming.
For one to be successful in this field, it largely depends on the farmer’s ability to select the correct breed of dairy animals for their various agro-ecological zones, correct feeding of the dairy animals and a good management on various aspects.
Before venturing into dairy farming, one has to be patient enough to have the required capital. This is because you will need to by the cow(s) to invest in, making shelters where the cows will be sleeping and feeding from, veterinary expenses among other things.
Learn how to feed the breed of dairy cow that you may be keeping. Many farmers end up with loses or low milk production after spending a lot of money in buying good quality breeds but fail when it comes to feeding them.
Feeding dairy cows may be abit expensive but still, there are ways in which one can cut down on the costs. This involves planting cow food in the available piece of land. This may be used in making hay or other feeds that the dairy cow needs. Apart from this, there are new technological methods that can help in reducing on costs like the hydroponics fodder, where fodder is planted without water and is ready in just six days.
Feeding is the most important factor when dealing with dairy cows. This is what distinguishes between a successful farmers and the unsuccessful one. There are different formulas that farmers use in feeding their animals, but the best way to succeed is by choosing the best formula that suits your breeds.
Dairy farmers should also remember that a veterinary doctor is of great significance to their dairy cows. They should be visiting the farm on a regular basis so as to keep in track how the animals are faring on. this will also be away of cutting down on costs as there will be no intensive check-ups of outbreaks of diseases as the animals are checked once in s while.
Article by Vera Shawiza.