Dairy farming, an integral part of agriculture, involves long-term raising of animals, mostly cows and buffaloes, to produce milk and products processed from it. Once this milk is obtained, it becomes cheese, yoghurt, and butter along with associated dairy products. This sector has always been an attractive zone since milk products and being consumer goods, are in continuous demand and business can be earned easily anywhere in the world, including India. This guide is designed to provide new farmers with helpful information, so they on the right track when starting their own dairy farm.

What is Dairy Farming?

What is dairy farming? It incorporates the care and use of milk cows (mainly cows and buffaloes) for the production of milk. This farming is about milking and also involves breeding, health care, and appropriate animal housing and feeding to optimize milk production and quality.

Again, properly run and planned dairy farm businesses are always profitable enterprises. Here’s how:

Herd Management By Design – Emphasize crossbreeding for high-producing strains (e.g., Holsteins and Jerseys) that yield heavy milk production. And don’t forget the breeding and the health care.

As per GMI Research, the Indonesia Dairy Market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.1% during the forecast period till 2032.

Feed & Nutritional Enrichments Farmer’s diet, green and herbal fodder - Maximizes production and minimizes vet bills.

Out of Milk Tributes – Revenue enhanced by turning milk into butter, cheese, yogurt or ghee.

Selling directly to Consumers or Retailers is better than an intermediary In Consumer sales it is better to sell directly to the consumer or retailer, rather than selling to an intermediary, as the profitability levels are higher.

Technology and Automation – Less staff costs is another benefit of herd management software, as is the use of automatic milkers.

Financial Assistance & Subsidy: Subsidized dairy or agriculture development programmes result in higher profitability for countries like India.

Types of Dairy Farming: What’s the Difference?

To become a dairy farmer, one must have at least a basic understanding of the types of dairy farming.

Cow Dairy Farming: It is most popular type in many countries like India and America where breed like Holstein, Jersey and Sahiwa are in demand.

Buffalo Dairy Farming: More common in South Asia, buffalo dairy farm has the potential due to milk’s higher fat content, appropriate for making traditional dairy products like curd, ghee etc.

Mixed Dairy Farming: It includes both the cow and the buffalo and it can be advantageous for diversifying dairy products produced.

How is Dairy Farming Practised?

The practical ways to begin the dairy farming are an optimal/manageable mix of good-structured infrastructure, productive feeding practices, proper health management and modern milking methods. Here’s a closer analysis of these critical techniques that are the foundation of a successful dairy farming business.

Infrastructure

Right infrastructure is not only necessary but essential for the health and productivity of dairy animals. The sheltering must provide protection from inclement weather but also have proper ventilation and sunlight. Enough space must also be allowed for eating, resting, and milking. It is very important that there are effective sanitation systems that help us to keep clean and which control diseases.

Feeding

Proper feeding of dairy cows is essential to what is dairy farming. An adequate ration allows animals to reach their health and productive optimum. This feeding regimen is a 3:2:1 ratio of haylage (fodder), grass silage and ‘formulated feed’ to produce a balanced carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamin and mineral intake. The ability to have consistent access to clean water is also necessary for hydration and metabolizing.

Health Managing

In all of our facilities, the health of the dairy herd is the ultimate concern. It also includes the need for a Vet checkup at least once a year and vaccinations and deworming to avoid diseases and infections. The early diagnosis and treatment of diseases is essential to avoid an outbreak and ensure the herd remains productive. Hoof trimming and teat cleaning before and after milking are also good practices for animal welfare and milk quality.

Milking Systems

Using new milking methods could improve milk production and quality. It consists in automated milking systems guaranteeing the same quality while sparing physical stress to the cattle. Hygiene at milking is vitally important to help control the spread of pathogens and the quality of milk produced. The adequate training of the personnel (milkers and those responsible for the operation of the machines) for the milking process and machine handling is also a necessary element to improve the milking process and animal treatment.