Economic Dairy Farming | Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Factors Affecting Profitability in Dairy Farming

• Land Selection:
  • Importance of acquiring land at a reasonable cost.
  • Optimal choice is away from towns, possibly near forests for cost-effectiveness.
  • Assurance of approach roads to towns and villages is crucial.
  • Prefer dry land over irrigated land to control costs.
  • Consider digging wells on the farm.
• Infrastructure Cost Control:
  • Designing buffalo enclosures with high roofs instead of high walls for cost efficiency.
  • Optimal stocking rate, balancing density with land cost, especially in urban or semi-urban areas.
• Animal Selection:
  • Prioritize return over food costs for profitability.
  • Cows should yield 5 to 10 kg of milk per day or 2000 kg per lactation for economic viability.
  • Cross-bred cattle like Jersey or Holstein, when crossed with indigenous breeds, meet these requirements effectively.
• Profitability Benchmark
  • Profitability hinges on cows providing a substantial amount of milk.
  • Established standard: Cows should yield 5 to 10 kg of milk per day to ensure profitability.
  • Few indigenous breeds meet the desired milk production; cross-breeding is often necessary.

Key Considerations for Dairy Farming Profitability

• Land:
  • Choose cost-effective land, potentially away from towns, ensuring accessibility.
  • Prefer dry land, avoiding expensive irrigated areas.
• Infrastructure:
  • Optimize buffalo enclosures with high roofs for cost savings.
  • Adjust stocking rates based on land costs, especially in urban areas.
• Animal Selection:
  • Prioritize cross-bred cattle like Jersey or Holstein for optimal milk production.
  • Ensure cows yield 5 to 10 kg of milk per day for profitability.

Key Factors in Dairy Farming Economics

• Labour Costs:
  • Increasing labour costs pose a challenge in dairy farming.
  • Successful models from countries like Holland and Denmark involve minimal labour, often managed by husband-wife teams.
  • Small-scale operations with 50-60 cows, managed by families, prove to be economical.
• Feed Management:
  • Feed constitutes a significant portion (60-70%) of total production costs.
  • Efforts should focus on minimizing costs without compromising on feed quality.
  • Cows yielding up to 6 kg of milk can be sustained on fodder alone, reducing the need for expensive concentrate feed.
  • Preserve excess fodder as hay or silage for lean months.
• Breeding and Reproduction:
  • Maintain two-thirds of cows in milk for a steady milk supply.
  • Implement proper breeding practices to ensure conception.
  • Detect and address issues with bad breeding stock promptly.
  • Average productive life of a dairy cow is around five lactations; cull older cows promptly.
• Replacement Stock and Breeding Program:
  • Replace older cows with younger stock promptly to maintain herd stability.
  • Plan breeding programs to ensure a consistent supply of replacement stock.
  • Aim for a dry period of 40 days for each cow to replenish and produce well in the next lactation.
• Efficient Milk Marketing:
  • Directly dispose of surplus milk instead of converting it into milk products.
  • Plan breeding to ensure surplus milk during high-demand periods.
  • Minimize transportation costs by selling milk locally.
• Manure Utilization:
  • Utilize cow dung for producing compost manure.
  • Composting should involve a mix of leaves, agricultural and animal waste, covered with soil to maintain moisture.
  • Transport fresh excreta to manure pits, covering them with thick earth to convert into high-quality manure.
  • Use manure for growing green fodder, creating a sustainable cycle.

Dairy Farming Approaches

• Mixed Farming:
  • Ideal for India, especially for small farmers.
  • Agriculture by-products can be used as feed.
  • Cow dung and urine benefit fields directly.
• Specialized Farming:
  • Suitable in hilly areas with good pasture.
  • More feasible for high-yield cows.
  • Concentrate feed may be necessary.
  • Dung and urine can still be used for manure production.