Dairy cattle production (95314) Instructor: Dr Jihad Abdallah Establishing dairy cattle farms

Introduction Dairy projects in Palestine have good potential as the demand for milk products exceeds local production (it is estimated that milk yield should be increased by 20 to 30 % to meet the local demand) However, establishing a dairy cattle farm requires big investment (much more than other livestock species) Dairy cattle farming also requires that you have enough funds to cover the monthly expenses of raising cattle (feed costs, vet expenses and health care of cows and young animals, emergency funds, etc)

Introduction Running a dairy farm also requires skills and trained labor The level of management required to run dairy operations is higher than other livestock operations Therefore, establishing a dairy farm should be planned very carefully particularly choice of location, civil structures, equipment, purchase of animals, labor work, herd health, milk processing, marketing, etc

Things to decide before starting the project Breed or breeds to be raised on the farm  Holstein is the best choice in terms of quantity of milk Number of animals to start the project  two possibilities: start with a small number of animals then increase numbers gradually or start with a large number of animals  The choice depends on available capital and labor make feasibility study

Things to decide before starting the project Location of the farm Production and marketing plan: should decide in advance if you will sell raw milk or process milk (cheese, yougurt, labaneh, etc) on the farm. This is important for designing the buildings and facilities. Design of buildings and housing Breeding plan: use AI or natural mating? Need to keep a bull (one bull for 50 cows) on the farm in case of natural mating, which could be very dangerous (dairy bulls are more dangerous than beef bulls)

Things to decide before starting the project Feeding plan: Sources for buying feed (concentrate, roughage) Do you plan to grow green fodder or feed crops? Do you have enough land? Do you or can you make silage on the farm? Requires silage making facility and source of green fodder.

Feasibility study Should do a feasibility study before starting the project to determine if it would be profitable or not Should consider all costs associated with the operation Should consult experts in the field Should study the market: offer and demand, marketing possibilities, marketing difficulties, etc Note that your initial costs will be greater than your profits for the first few years of the project

Farm Location Should be in agricultural area with available feed supply (concentrate, roughage, etc) Close to roads, water and electricity sources Within small distance from dairy plants (if milk is not processed on farm) Availability of veterinary services Not close to residential areas Land not expensive Avoid low areas exposed to flooding Suitable for manure management

Required facilities and equipment Housing (house/barn – different kinds of buildings) for young and adult animals Handling pens, stalls Isolation ward for sick animals Milking parlor (or portable milker machines) and milk cooling facility Feed silo and feed storage barn, silage making facility Manure management system Equipment (milking cans, feeding and watering troughs, cleaning, feed grinder and mixer, etc.) Workers and service facility

Purchase of cows Should buy animals from reliable sources May start with heifers (less than one year) or milking cows Buy breeding animals with proven productivity (with records) Breeding animals should be healthy, of adequate size and have no defects  refer to guidelines for judging dairy cows

Size of herd The optimal number of breeding animals that would be profitable The capital available is the limiting factor If capital available is not sufficient to start with the desired number  could start with a smaller size and increase the numbers gradually. Starting with small number is preferred  Reduces required investment Allows beginners to get experience and not get overwhelmed with management demands of a large number of cows. Can increase numbers as earnings increase

Class exercise Determine the period (in years) it takes to increase the number of breeding cows: From 25 to 50 From 50 to 100

SWOT Analysis Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats