Dr. R.P.S Baghel, Dean Faculty, Veterinary Science, Sriganganagar Veterinary college, Tantia University, Ganganagar, Rajasthan, provides details on how a farmer can run successful dairy farm with 20 cows.
Dairy farm, when run scientifically, is always profitable and economical. We all need milk throughout our lives, and hence dairy farm is very essential. A farmer should have a minimum of 20 animals of good quality and high yield to increase the profit. The farmer should not buy all the 20 animals at the same time but in two batches of 10 animals. The area needed for the animals will cost Rs. 120 per sq. ft per animal, and the cost of each animal may be Rs. 50 thousand. The floor space should be 50 sq. ft for the calf, and the construction of the shed should be minimum of Rs. 800 per sq. Ft. The bank loan should be availed accordingly. The average milk yield of the animal should be minimum of 10 litres as only then the farm will be profitable. The farmer should possess a powerful chaff cutter for cutting the green fodder which will cost Rs. 1 lakh. The insurance premium @ 4% should be paid. The health and medicines per animal may be Rs. 2000, the concentrate of 50 kg should be purchased depending on the number of animals. Green fodder and dry fodder should be purchased. The salary of labours is around Rs. 8000 per month. Apart from this, electricity and water should be added to the expenses. The selling price of milk per litre is Rs. 45, sale of gunny bags Rs. 15, and the lactation days is 305 in a year. Interest on bank loan is 12%. The farmer can also buy gir, Sahiwal, red sindhi and cross bred cows. The profitability of the farm depends on the selection of animals, yield, health, and so indigenous animals are better. For jersey and hf cows, high quality feed should be provided as they are susceptible for diseases.
There are a few parameters that farmers should bear in mind to increase the profit from the dairy farm. The milk production of the animals should be as high as possible. The first lactation yield is important as if it is better, the further lactation will increase many times than the first lactation. The production of the cow in the initial 2 to 3 months should show a gradual increase. Then after 6 months the production will decrease. So we should see how long we can maintain the peak yield as it will be economical and profitable. The age of first calving is also important, and the first calving should not be delayed which will reduce the milk production also.
We should also increase the frequency of milking. If it is done 3 times a day, about 20% of production will increase. The milk composition is related to the age and ability of the animals. Pure milk with good quality and more fat content and solids will get more price and attention from the purchaser. The interval between two calves should be less, and only then we can get more milk production and profit.
When the cows give birth to male calves, it will not be profitable for the farmer. So farms should make use of sex sorted semen which will result in 90% of female calves. Efficiency of feed utilisation and conversion to milk is to be taken care of as it determines the yield and profitability. We should ensure proper utilisation of feed by proper mixing of feed concentrate, green fodder, and addition of supplements. Disease resistance of animals is very important as it will reduce the milk production drastically, and this low productivity will continue for many months. If the recovery of animals is slow, the cost of treatment of animals and loss will be high. The farmers should ensure the proper hygiene of the animals, shed, milker, and the utensils. Especially the persons coming from outside should take precaution not to carry any disease when they come to the farm. The low productive and unproductive animals should be eliminated to reduce the expenditure and to increase the total income.
The feeding of animals should be taken care as it constitutes 70% of the total income. Excellent feeding treatment should be arranged for the animals. Use of green fodder is very important for the dairy animals as it is rich in proteins and minerals and is economical too. It is recommended that a farmer has at least 5 acres of land where excellent quality green fodder can be produced. It can be harvested in the proper stage for better utilisation by the animals. He can introduce high yielding varieties of fodder too to provide very good nutrients for the animals. Crop rotation throughout the year is to be followed for getting fodder throughout the year. if grazing land is available, the animals can be allowed to graze so that they get some exercise and good fodder too.
The quality of hay is also important which is available in plenty in our country. Straw is not very much advised as the nutrient content is poor. Apart from fodder and hay, concentrate feed is important for nutrient supplement to animals to increase the milk production. Concentrate mix can be prepared by using cereals like bajra, wheat bran, and pulse by products in proper ratio. The formula for the same has to be obtained to prepare scientifically well balanced mix using the locally available ingredients. The first compartment in the stomach of the cow is called lumen which has millions of bacteria that help in utilising the food to get nutrients. TMR, roughage, and concentrate should be mixed together and fed to the animal to increase the micro flora in the lumen to improve the productivity. Increasing the frequency of feeding the cows will improve the nutrient supply to the animals, better productivity, and feeding cows in late lactation and dry period is important to get milk. After calving, feeding the animals frequently is important to maintain the body nutrients of the animals and regain the health and in the next calving. The sheds for the animals can be built as per your financial situation.
The expenses for starting the farm includes recurring and non-recurring cost. Construction cost, cost of cows, transportation, and equipment, working capital for 60 days initially, will come under non-recurring cost. The bank loan, feed cost, medicine, vaccine, labour, electricity, insurance will come under recurring expenditure. The ratio between recurring and non-recurring expenses is 80:20. Depreciation on building, equipment, and animals should be taken into account when calculating the profit. The income from milk in the first year is less, and it increases subsequently. From the gross income, the farmer should reduce the recurring expenses and depreciation and bank loan repayment.
What are the key factors when selecting the right breed of cows for a small dairy farm with 20 cows?
For a 20-cows farm, it is better to buy indigenous cows, and at the same time, gir, Sahiwal cows can also be purchased as they produce very good quantity and quality of milk. If a farmer can maintain the farm very hygienically, help the animals be free from contamination, and infection, the total profit is much higher as the production is high. The yield from indigenous cows is around 15 to 20 litres whereas the other cows give 25 to 30 litres of milk.
What are the essential steps in designing and optimising and housing infrastructure for a successful 20-cow dairy farm?
The infrastructure depends on the area where the farm is to be started. In hot places and areas getting heavy monsoon rains, we have to protect animals, and the shed should be highly airy and durable. If the sheds are good and long-lasting, it will be more economical. The shed should not be a carrier of infections, parasites, and crevices where such parasites grow should be destroyed.
How can modern technology such as automated milking systems and herd management software contribute to the productivity and profitability of a small scale dairy operation?
The farmers should be aware of the latest technology, and they should learn the programs to find out which animal is having problems and the conditions for the same, so that they become alert. This is the latest technology. Other technologies such as milk parlour help people who like hygienic milk are useful in milking the animals without any contamination. This type of milk will become popular and get demand. There are technologies that help in feeding animals, milking them, and getting more information about them, and these can be beneficial to the farmer when he gets acquainted with them. In case of more number of animals, technologies will be economical.
What are the practises for disease prevention and health management in a 20-cow dairy shed, and how can farmers minimise the use of antibiotics?
Antibiotics should not be used at all. Sheds should be kept in cleaning condition, infection free, and proper water supply. If an animal is infected, production will be less, and other animals will be infected. Phenyl should be regularly used in the shed, and before and after milking of the cow, the udder should be cleaned as infection can enter the inside of animals through the udder. Animals should not be allowed to sit on the ground after milking for half an hour at least. These are the minimum requirements.
How can farmers ensure sustainable waste management and nutrient recycling practices?
The cow dung should be dry as otherwise there will be lack of milk production and more gas production which will cause environmental pollution. There should not be any water logging. The cow urine and dung can be mixed to prepare vermicompost. If the farmer has land, the waste can be applied there to produce high quality fodder which will be more profitable.
What are the innovative marketing and distribution strategies the farmer can employ to sell dairy products? Any guidance on optimising the milking process including frequency, timing, and equipment maintenance for high quality production?
The farmer should sell good quality dairy product. In India though the production is good, lot of adulteration is happening. He can also go for preparing flavoured milk, pure cow ghee, paneer, and butter milk to sell from his farm, and he can create high demand for his products. Equipment should be maintained properly, utensils cleaned well, and milking should be done at correct timing to improve the hormones, especially oxytocin. Milking 3 times will increase the producing capacity of the animal and economical too. Water is a great source of infections, and animals will be harmed. The vessels and machinery should be sundried. Frequency of milking time has a major impact on the productivity of the dairy industry. The timing of milking should not be changed as it will affect the body of the animal. The udder is the storehouse of milk, and if not milked frequently, there will not be space to store the milk. With higher frequency, the udder gets more opportunity to store and synthesize the milk. The productivity increases. Though it is laborious, this will work out economical.
For Agri students interested in starting a 20-cow dairy farm, what are the practical experiences, internships, and educational parts are recommended to gain knowledge and skills?
Good quality animals should be purchased as they play a major role in yield of milk and income. Recoding of daily milk yield should be checked before buying the animals. They should know about purchasing of good quality fodder for the animals, both leguminous and non-leguminous fodder are good. Fodder can be converted into silage to feed the animals. They should know how to milk the animals in a hygienic way, prevent animals from getting infected, and proper vaccination should be given. They should have practical knowledge about the animals and marketing of the products.
What are some collaborative models a small dairy farmer can explore to address challenges collectively?
They can borrow from banks collectively, purchase the animals and feed from the market which will work out cheaper. If the cost of feeding reduces, profitability increases. Farmers can join together to market the produce and purchase of inputs which will be economical. They can sell the products at a better rate. They can join together to buy silage, milking machine, quality feed, and share the profits. Farmers can have their own market, and loan repayment becomes easier.
Dr. Ramesh Pratap Singh Baghel
Dean
Sri Ganganagar Veterinary College ,
Tantia University, Sri Ganganagar,
Rajasthan
Tantia University Campus, RICO
Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan 335001
Email: rameshbaghel@yahoo.co.in
Phone: 8839010764 / 09425863305
Dairy farm, when run scientifically, is always profitable and economical. We all need milk throughout our lives, and hence dairy farm is very essential. A farmer should have a minimum of 20 animals of good quality and high yield to increase the profit. The farmer should not buy all the 20 animals at the same time but in two batches of 10 animals. The area needed for the animals will cost Rs. 120 per sq. ft per animal, and the cost of each animal may be Rs. 50 thousand. The floor space should be 50 sq. ft for the calf, and the construction of the shed should be minimum of Rs. 800 per sq. Ft. The bank loan should be availed accordingly. The average milk yield of the animal should be minimum of 10 litres as only then the farm will be profitable. The farmer should possess a powerful chaff cutter for cutting the green fodder which will cost Rs. 1 lakh. The insurance premium @ 4% should be paid. The health and medicines per animal may be Rs. 2000, the concentrate of 50 kg should be purchased depending on the number of animals. Green fodder and dry fodder should be purchased. The salary of labours is around Rs. 8000 per month. Apart from this, electricity and water should be added to the expenses. The selling price of milk per litre is Rs. 45, sale of gunny bags Rs. 15, and the lactation days is 305 in a year. Interest on bank loan is 12%. The farmer can also buy gir, Sahiwal, red sindhi and cross bred cows. The profitability of the farm depends on the selection of animals, yield, health, and so indigenous animals are better. For jersey and hf cows, high quality feed should be provided as they are susceptible for diseases.
There are a few parameters that farmers should bear in mind to increase the profit from the dairy farm. The milk production of the animals should be as high as possible. The first lactation yield is important as if it is better, the further lactation will increase many times than the first lactation. The production of the cow in the initial 2 to 3 months should show a gradual increase. Then after 6 months the production will decrease. So we should see how long we can maintain the peak yield as it will be economical and profitable. The age of first calving is also important, and the first calving should not be delayed which will reduce the milk production also.
We should also increase the frequency of milking. If it is done 3 times a day, about 20% of production will increase. The milk composition is related to the age and ability of the animals. Pure milk with good quality and more fat content and solids will get more price and attention from the purchaser. The interval between two calves should be less, and only then we can get more milk production and profit.
When the cows give birth to male calves, it will not be profitable for the farmer. So farms should make use of sex sorted semen which will result in 90% of female calves. Efficiency of feed utilisation and conversion to milk is to be taken care of as it determines the yield and profitability. We should ensure proper utilisation of feed by proper mixing of feed concentrate, green fodder, and addition of supplements. Disease resistance of animals is very important as it will reduce the milk production drastically, and this low productivity will continue for many months. If the recovery of animals is slow, the cost of treatment of animals and loss will be high. The farmers should ensure the proper hygiene of the animals, shed, milker, and the utensils. Especially the persons coming from outside should take precaution not to carry any disease when they come to the farm. The low productive and unproductive animals should be eliminated to reduce the expenditure and to increase the total income.
The feeding of animals should be taken care as it constitutes 70% of the total income. Excellent feeding treatment should be arranged for the animals. Use of green fodder is very important for the dairy animals as it is rich in proteins and minerals and is economical too. It is recommended that a farmer has at least 5 acres of land where excellent quality green fodder can be produced. It can be harvested in the proper stage for better utilisation by the animals. He can introduce high yielding varieties of fodder too to provide very good nutrients for the animals. Crop rotation throughout the year is to be followed for getting fodder throughout the year. if grazing land is available, the animals can be allowed to graze so that they get some exercise and good fodder too.
The quality of hay is also important which is available in plenty in our country. Straw is not very much advised as the nutrient content is poor. Apart from fodder and hay, concentrate feed is important for nutrient supplement to animals to increase the milk production. Concentrate mix can be prepared by using cereals like bajra, wheat bran, and pulse by products in proper ratio. The formula for the same has to be obtained to prepare scientifically well balanced mix using the locally available ingredients. The first compartment in the stomach of the cow is called lumen which has millions of bacteria that help in utilising the food to get nutrients. TMR, roughage, and concentrate should be mixed together and fed to the animal to increase the micro flora in the lumen to improve the productivity. Increasing the frequency of feeding the cows will improve the nutrient supply to the animals, better productivity, and feeding cows in late lactation and dry period is important to get milk. After calving, feeding the animals frequently is important to maintain the body nutrients of the animals and regain the health and in the next calving. The sheds for the animals can be built as per your financial situation.
The expenses for starting the farm includes recurring and non-recurring cost. Construction cost, cost of cows, transportation, and equipment, working capital for 60 days initially, will come under non-recurring cost. The bank loan, feed cost, medicine, vaccine, labour, electricity, insurance will come under recurring expenditure. The ratio between recurring and non-recurring expenses is 80:20. Depreciation on building, equipment, and animals should be taken into account when calculating the profit. The income from milk in the first year is less, and it increases subsequently. From the gross income, the farmer should reduce the recurring expenses and depreciation and bank loan repayment.
What are the key factors when selecting the right breed of cows for a small dairy farm with 20 cows?
For a 20-cows farm, it is better to buy indigenous cows, and at the same time, gir, Sahiwal cows can also be purchased as they produce very good quantity and quality of milk. If a farmer can maintain the farm very hygienically, help the animals be free from contamination, and infection, the total profit is much higher as the production is high. The yield from indigenous cows is around 15 to 20 litres whereas the other cows give 25 to 30 litres of milk.
What are the essential steps in designing and optimising and housing infrastructure for a successful 20-cow dairy farm?
The infrastructure depends on the area where the farm is to be started. In hot places and areas getting heavy monsoon rains, we have to protect animals, and the shed should be highly airy and durable. If the sheds are good and long-lasting, it will be more economical. The shed should not be a carrier of infections, parasites, and crevices where such parasites grow should be destroyed.
How can modern technology such as automated milking systems and herd management software contribute to the productivity and profitability of a small scale dairy operation?
The farmers should be aware of the latest technology, and they should learn the programs to find out which animal is having problems and the conditions for the same, so that they become alert. This is the latest technology. Other technologies such as milk parlour help people who like hygienic milk are useful in milking the animals without any contamination. This type of milk will become popular and get demand. There are technologies that help in feeding animals, milking them, and getting more information about them, and these can be beneficial to the farmer when he gets acquainted with them. In case of more number of animals, technologies will be economical.
What are the practises for disease prevention and health management in a 20-cow dairy shed, and how can farmers minimise the use of antibiotics?
Antibiotics should not be used at all. Sheds should be kept in cleaning condition, infection free, and proper water supply. If an animal is infected, production will be less, and other animals will be infected. Phenyl should be regularly used in the shed, and before and after milking of the cow, the udder should be cleaned as infection can enter the inside of animals through the udder. Animals should not be allowed to sit on the ground after milking for half an hour at least. These are the minimum requirements.
How can farmers ensure sustainable waste management and nutrient recycling practices?
The cow dung should be dry as otherwise there will be lack of milk production and more gas production which will cause environmental pollution. There should not be any water logging. The cow urine and dung can be mixed to prepare vermicompost. If the farmer has land, the waste can be applied there to produce high quality fodder which will be more profitable.
What are the innovative marketing and distribution strategies the farmer can employ to sell dairy products? Any guidance on optimising the milking process including frequency, timing, and equipment maintenance for high quality production?
The farmer should sell good quality dairy product. In India though the production is good, lot of adulteration is happening. He can also go for preparing flavoured milk, pure cow ghee, paneer, and butter milk to sell from his farm, and he can create high demand for his products. Equipment should be maintained properly, utensils cleaned well, and milking should be done at correct timing to improve the hormones, especially oxytocin. Milking 3 times will increase the producing capacity of the animal and economical too. Water is a great source of infections, and animals will be harmed. The vessels and machinery should be sundried. Frequency of milking time has a major impact on the productivity of the dairy industry. The timing of milking should not be changed as it will affect the body of the animal. The udder is the storehouse of milk, and if not milked frequently, there will not be space to store the milk. With higher frequency, the udder gets more opportunity to store and synthesize the milk. The productivity increases. Though it is laborious, this will work out economical.
For Agri students interested in starting a 20-cow dairy farm, what are the practical experiences, internships, and educational parts are recommended to gain knowledge and skills?
Good quality animals should be purchased as they play a major role in yield of milk and income. Recoding of daily milk yield should be checked before buying the animals. They should know about purchasing of good quality fodder for the animals, both leguminous and non-leguminous fodder are good. Fodder can be converted into silage to feed the animals. They should know how to milk the animals in a hygienic way, prevent animals from getting infected, and proper vaccination should be given. They should have practical knowledge about the animals and marketing of the products.
What are some collaborative models a small dairy farmer can explore to address challenges collectively?
They can borrow from banks collectively, purchase the animals and feed from the market which will work out cheaper. If the cost of feeding reduces, profitability increases. Farmers can join together to market the produce and purchase of inputs which will be economical. They can sell the products at a better rate. They can join together to buy silage, milking machine, quality feed, and share the profits. Farmers can have their own market, and loan repayment becomes easier.
Dr. Ramesh Pratap Singh Baghel
Dean
Sri Ganganagar Veterinary College ,
Tantia University, Sri Ganganagar,
Rajasthan
Tantia University Campus, RICO
Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan 335001
Email: rameshbaghel@yahoo.co.in
Phone: 8839010764 / 09425863305