“Profitable Dairy Business”

Animal husbandry practices are very livelihood sources and common in rural areas related with agriculture activities. In good old days soil fertility was the important consideration for maintaining few number livestock, whichwas equally useful for transportation of agriculture produce, fulfillment of milk requirement in the rural families and also as economic insulators during financial scarcities. However, domestic animals are now tunned for milk production all over the world.

Rearing of dairy animals for milk production is conceptualised before 200 years in the world and professional dairy farms are being established. Productivity potential of the dairy animals is increased through improved management practices, continuous genetic improvements and also by maintaining body health aspects. It is amazing to note that per day milk production in cows has turned 100 liter mark in many countries. However, the potential is not generalized for all available stock.

Reproduction is directly related with milk production and achievement of optimum reproductive goals are possible through assisted reproductive technologies. Lifetime milk productivity can be increased by early maturity, regular calvings, increasing number of lactations and per day milk production in dairy animals. Control of infertility is yest another way to improve pregnancy rate and opportunities to improve lactational phases in livestock.

Milk production potential is basically dependent on 5% genetics, which provides maximum 95% scope for improved management. This in tern indicates that out of 10 liters of milk production, 0.5 litres is genetic capability of the animal and 9.5 litres of milk is produced due to skill, feed -fodder, management and healthcare challenges accepted by the owner.

Every animal needs daily expenses on feed, fodder, healthcare, labour and few other minor items. The range of expenses is very high in dairy animals as per fluctuations in milk potential. On and average, dairy animal gets an opportunity to provide very high and profitable milk production only for 4.5 to 6 months and the period is starting from fortnight before peak yield and extends upto 5 months after the peak.

Total utility of the dairy animal is more important than that of the milk production where profits can be increased through more calf crop, manure dung utility, potential uses of colostrum, utilisation of amniotic fluid, proper utility of placenta and carcass in mannure for organic farming practices. Utility of placental stem cells is yet another opening.

Profits can be improved through reduction of expenses and fodder production is one of the best practices. Purchasing fodder is highly expensive and hence fodder production program round the year is most useful, as one acre land throughout the year with various varieties of succulent fodder is sufficient for the requirement of 5 dairy animals. Similarly, expenditure can be reduced in loose housing system, adopting preventive treatment strategies and using mechanised systems.

Artificial intelligence is being used on animal farms for smart managemental practices. More learned entrepreneurs are now interested in dairy sector considering regular demand of quality dairy products. Environment friendly management is possible through healthy cows of very high yielding capacities.

Total monitoring system is highly essential on dairy farms to maintain and improve milk productivity of animals. Ration balancing and quality feed can increase milk quantity and quality of individual animals but farm average is modern concept of assessment of dairy potential. Milk DNA analysis is useful assessment productivity potential in farm animals.

Planned approach, case studies, success stories, involvement in resolving problem points, recommendations from experts and support of progressive dairymen will only increase chances of profitable farms in dairy sector.