Generally people believe that those dairy farms have big cow-houses and a number of (say 10, 20,100 or so)cows standing in it, with a milk van running to the farm morning and evening must be a profitable dairy farm. People often take note of positive ones and leave the negative ones. Many aspects are ignored. Let’s discuss.
I remember Sagar’s photo of a dairy farm at Barang with 5 Gir cows, Subhasis has seen many farms in Bengluru with cow-urine plant. Sangram offered to plan for ideal cow-houses. Sambit made in-depth study. We have dairy owners like Deepak, Satish Sir & Singhdeo Sir. As such, if I point out mistakes here and there, to set a criteria for profit making farms – I think it is foolishness on my part. Still I want you all to go deeper!
It will be wrong to guess about a dairy farm, from looking at the huge infrastructures, the plenty numbers of buffaloes or cows stalled and the milk quantity being sold.
The surest way is to study the records- such as “Herd Register”, Feed Register, health Register, and bank accounts. But unfortunately we don’t find much farms, liking to get their documents scrutinized!
Alternate ways are there. As a doctor takes help of symptoms in finding a disease, we must closely observe every aspect.I would like to mention a few.
- See how many cows are there in milk. How many dry (not in milk) and how many heifers and calves. Don’t forget to see new born ones, especially 50% males . Ideally the ratio will be cows in milk: Dry=3:2.If 10 cows=Followers 10 (Heifer & growers) and new born calves 5.
- Ask about the milker. Is there hand milking or machine milking? Who else milk the cows? If the milker takes salary or purchases milk from farm. Ideally for 20 milk cows 1 milker and should be on salary with guaranteed increments.
- Are the animals panting? Are there flies sitting on them? Examine the inner temperature of cow shed and outer. If you have a humidity meter than what’s the difference between outside and inside?There shouldn’t be much difference.
- How fat or thin are the cows? Ideally milk givers should be 3.5 out of 5. (5 for a fat cow)
- Incidence of abortion, repeaters and mastitis are Redline Indicators. Ask of Brucella, and FMD vaccinations. See neck portions and buttocks to guess of frequent medications.
- See the dung. It speaks of digestion. Ideally it must be semi solid with black-green color and must not split on floor.
- The instruments used to clean the floor and disposal of dung & farm waste, the clothes of workers speak a lot.
- Are the animals getting exercise? How many hours? Do they get greens? How much? Should get at least 2 hours of roaming under sun and 10% of body weight greens.
- How many years old is the farm? 3rd generation calves must be there in the herd to speak of 10 years of farming.
- Is the owner going to sell the best cows, recently calved or the poorest ones? Cows should be culled (discarded) for Poor performance. If the best are sold -> farm is in distress.
How can we be sure that a Dairy farm is profitable?
- How long has the farm survived? More than 15 years proves profit.
- The owner has created second in line/s to manage farm affairs in his/her long absence.
- If owner with no other income, has re-paid loans and still acquired land or buildings.
- If the purpose is commercial and AI is used and poor performers culled-it’s a good farm.
- If manipulation in feed is practiced; Pre milking Hand, bucket, teat wash with sanitizer spray or dip is being done and dung urine & waste is disposed and recycled its good.
- After 5 years of starting if Herd growth is fast enough and no new animals are inducted.
- Cattle heads sold is an indicator.
- Milk stability throughout year. Little up and downs.
- Feed cost is 50 % of production cost of a liter of milk.
- Own milk product making and storage both for short term & long term.
- Few visits of vet. For genuine causes like Castration AI and pregnancy diagnosis.
- Animal’s docility, tameness and trained habits will speak.
- Stable green supply mechanism is satisfactory. Storage of BOTI (Hay) is proteinous and is adequately stocked (say for one year, at the end of harvesting season)
- Least concentrate feeding. Say 1% of body weight maximum for an average milker.
- Not more than 1 person/ 10 cows and its followers.
This is just an idea. I will appreciate if you complete the list. Do edit please.
Dr Ranjit Dash, For Gir Odisha Group members only. Date 16.6.17
Hello Sir,
This is one of the excellent blog I have come across during my research to set-up a diary farm in Cuttack District of Odisha. All the points are well drafted. I would consider myself blessed if I could get your guidance in order to set-up a diary farm as my full time occupation.
Dear Rashmi
Thanks
Do join our Gir Odisha WhatsApp group. Let’s unite.
Can I get Information about Gir Dairy I am Planning for going Gir dairy.
PL contact us @ whatsp 9937446956
Thanks.pl.share your dairy plans. Our whatsp number is 9937446956
Dear Sir,
Many many thanks for sharing the information. I would like to start cow dairy and I need your help. Can you please help me sir.
Thanks
Debendra
? Yes. Surely. PL contact my WhatsApp @ 9937446956
Yes, surely. Send your dairy plans.
nice information
Hi
I am planning to start a dairy farm in brahmapur.how to initiate it,can you guide me?
I want to start a diary farm in my village i. e mandar 60km away fm Berhampur can u guide me
Nice blog…. useful for new comers..
Hello Dr. Ranjit,
Thanks for your informative blog.
I’m exploring all possible early retirement engagement, out of which dairy firm came to my mind. I do not have any expertise in this area, so could not take any bold step to proceed further. Could you please help me out, how to start? I would like your help to derive a detailed plan to setup this.
Few details from my side:
Location: Around Kendrapara to Paradeep
I need a monthly income of at least 1 lakh.
I have own land and near by paddy fields which can be leased to grow fodder
Hello Mr Sahoo,
Thanks for your comment on the Dr.Ranjit Sir’s Blog post, here to notify that sir is no more with us as he passed away few months ago.
Kindly please contact on the Phone Numbers or WhatsApp for any help regarding the matter.