The Largest Dairy Farm of the world
The most comprehensive dairy project of the world build in Vietnam. The farm will contain 35000 cows and will supply millions of liters of milk every year.
Showing posts with label Buffalo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Buffalo. Show all posts
Monday, September 9, 2013
Dairy Farming
How To Start Dairy Farm
You will know why dairy farming is a good business, and what to look out for when you are starting out, because I am going to share some of my experiences (I have been involved directly in dairy farming for the last almost-two years).
Dairy Farming is a very hot topic in Pakistan. A lot of seasoned and would-be entrepreneurs have already jumped onto the Dairy Farming bandwagon in Pakistan, and even more so like to talk about getting into dairy farming. But have you asked yourself this question,
“why start a dairy farm?”
Why Start A Dairy Farm
Yours truly have been working on the dairy farming project since June 2009. My interest was pretty much ‘academic’ at first; just knowing how the business and the animals operate. It was after almost a year of travelling in and around Punjab meeting countless number of people in the field, discussing and debating with some very qualified consultants and breeders, that I decided to dip my toes in this project.
I was interested in quite a few facets of Dairy Farming:
- The Business Model: Dairy farming has a very unique business model, and no other business has the capability of multiplying its assets while still producing revenue. Remarkable.
- The Current Situation: One of many lessons that Richard Branson has taught me is that you should get into a business where you think you can do better. Dairy farming, I knew, had a very, very large room for improvement.
- A Very Solid Demand: A lot of businesses and entrepreneurs would consider a ‘demand’ for something a good enough reason to get into any project. But for me, dairy farming is not only the demand of the market, but also a need. People need healthy, quality milk (and meat). It fits in with the idea of for-profit philanthropy where I stand a chance of actually helping people out, and earning prayers as well as profits. Now that’s an inspiration!
- Super Integration: This was not vertical integration as much as it was super integration. I already have two independent projects, one agriculture farming and the other is milk supply within Lahore, Alhumdulillah. The dairy farm has the potential of sitting in very nicely between the two, and providing wholesome integration. Although integration of any two businesses, much less three, is a pain in the neck (amongst other body parts), dairy farming provides me with the perfect long-term inspiration for working on these three projects!
Warning: Know This Before You Start Dairy Farming
Most of the things people say, they just say them without much thought. They’d discourage you from doing anything different. This should not stop any half-decentstarta from doing and starting different projects, of course. Having said that, following are the main points – so far – that should be considered when starting your own dairy farm:
1. It is a long term project.
There are no two ways about it. The time when you actually start seeing profits, IF a lot of things go right, is at least three years, usually five years. If you start taking out profits from it before three years, be prepared to inject more money in to it afterwards. But the upside to this remarkable business model is best explained by the following example that I frequently give to my friends and would-be entrepreneurs:
- I start a shoe shop, selling shows. You start a dairy farm, selling milk.
- After three years, if both of us do well in our businesses, I’d be richer than you.
- After six years, I’d have five branches all over the city, and will still be richer than you. You’d have great cash flows but you will find it hard to beat my retail outlets.
- Ten years later, it won’t matter how good I am doing, you will be much richer than me, in terms of assets, and most importantly, in terms of cash in hand.
- After 10 years, no business seem to even come close to the almost logarithmic growth of a dairy farm.
So if you can train yourself to actually think slow and steady, rather than fast and wobbly, then dairy farming is definitely something to consider.
2. The Most Important Factor is Currently the Hardest
The hardest part of setting up a dairy farm is the procurement of good-quality, high-yielding, environment-hardened animals. This is also themost important activity for an owner of a dairy farm.
You can go for imported cows, but I did not and I recommend that you don’t either.
A lot of people will tell you that you shouldn’t because they are expensive. I want you to know that imported cows are not expensive. If you are paying 140,000 (PKR) for a cross-bred cow, then paying 180,000 for an imported cow does not make the cow ‘expensive expensive’, it just makes it ‘relatively expensive’. And your target is not to increase the number of heads, but to increase the number of liters of milk. So an imported cow averaging 25 to 30 liters per lactation is much better than a cross-bred cow averaging 14 to 18 liters per lactation. The ROI is just plain and simple and you should stop listening to people who tell you otherwise.
But that’s not the reason why you should not get imported cows. The number one problem with imported cows is that they are unable to withstand the blast of heat of the Pakistani summers. Setting up the right infrastructure is essential, but that is not the only thing that you’d have to look into. There is disease and the very little margin of error that the imported cows give to you and your management.
I would suggest you do what I am doing; find good-quality locally bred cows, make sure that your dairy farm shed and cooling infrastructure is very much in place and then run the farm for at least a year to gauge how well your infrastructure (shed, cooling etc) is handling your locally-bred cows.
But that brings me back to the main point: finding high-quality locally bred cows is the hardest thing you’d have to do. It is also the MOST IMPORTANT thing for any dairy farm. As I have repeated this repeatedly (!!), a dairy farm’s main function is to procure and breed good-quality cows. The milk (and meat) is a by product of that main function.
So be prepared to hunt down good animals wherever you can find them. I remember travelling a total of 2000 kms plus, by road, all over Punjab, in one week, just to see and meet cow breeders. I didn’t pay half as much attention to the shed that I was constructing, or even the silage pits that were being prepared at the time, because purchasing the right animals is that one 20% activity that gives more than 80% of the result (if you are not aware of the wonderful 80/20 principle and how it applies to everything I talk about here, do read up on it by clicking here)
3. Finding the right people
Finding the right person to manage your dairy farm is also something to pay VERY close attention to. Stealing milk is very easy. If you do not trust the person who is managing the farm, then that’s a losing proposition. You should pray that God helps you find that person. You can also start with a solid attitude of trust, of reward and of accountability. I can write quite a few things on how to deal with people, because that is ALL of this is about, but suffice it to say for now, that one of the hardest things to do in dairy farming – just like in any other business – is to find the right people to manage and carry your dairy farm forward.
Details of who’s who and how many people should do what activity, those things are not the scope of this article and may be covered/posted later, God willing.
Finding technical help like that of vets and professional consults for animal feeding etc is NOT a problem, especially here in Pakistan. That is again one of the benefits of dairy farming, that the infrastructure that only a government can provide, is ALREADY IN PLACE in Pakistan. Sure there are problems, but it is good enough for you to not complain and get some work done.
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This is just a run down of my thoughts on dairy farming and some – just some – of the pitfalls that you should look out for. By God’s Grace, my dairy farm has been operational for a about 4 months now and I am happy that I have started this business.
God guide and bless us all. Good luck to you in your conquests and queries.
NOTE:We now have a community DEDICATED to Dairy Farming! I have started a small forum site that we all can use and share our experiences AND ask for help! Please click here to check it out because you will find a lot of help, God willing.
Update June 2012:
Thanks to the overwhelming response and feedback on this post, I am happy to report that the dairy farming guide is available for download.
A lot of people who read these free resources and comment and meet me etc do not buy the eBook and I don’t want to put any sort of pressure on you.
But those who have bought the eBook have very good things to say about it, by God’s Grace. I thank you and wish you all the best.
To know more about the Dairy Farming Guide, please click here. Thanks. And God bless.
If you are interested in learning more about creative self employment, living a life of adventure, attaining financial freedom and wholesome living, please do subscribe to LifeETC.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Dairy farming in Pakistan
Dairy Farming In Pakistan
Due to major developmental changes taking place over last two decades, dairy sector of Pakistan has attained the status of an industry. This industry has such a great attraction that investors not only from Pakistan but also across the world are rushing towards it and number of dairy set ups are increasing day by day. Today's dairy farming in Pakistan is based on most modern lines touching the international standards. To keep pace with this rapid development, it is necessary to make the availability of information and guidance regarding modern dairy farming to everyone through all available means including internet. Internet is the easiest, quickest and cheapest medium to disseminate information.
This blog is having comprehensive information and guidance regarding dairy farming. Besides providing an overview of livestock and dairy sector of Pakistan; breeds suitable for dairy farming, selection of animals, modern dairy farm housing, management of animals at different stages, record keeping, farm sanitation and hygiene, feed and nutrition, reproduction, diseases and reproductive disorders are different topics which have been covered in this website. A useful directory providing information of government officials, semi governmental and non governmental organizations, educational and research institutes, dairy farmers, breeders, dairy farms, dairy companies, dairy associations, funding agencies, dairy equipment and machinery suppliers, dairy animal suppliers and venders for dairy farm installation is also included. Website also contains feasibility of 100 animals. "Articles" and "download" sections are also the part of this website.
Hope this blog will be highly useful for the dairy sector of Pakistan.
Being major player in national economy livestock sector has been selected as an economy engine for poverty alleviation from Pakistan. According to economic survey of Pakistan 2012-13, its contribution to agriculture value added is approximately 55.4 % and to national GDP is 11.9 %. Livestock is raised by more than 8.5 million small and landless families in the rural areas and 35-40 million rural populations are dependent on this.
In Pakistan livestock includes cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, camels, horses, asses and mules. Milk, meat, wool, hair, bones, fat, blood eggs, hides and skins are the main livestock products among which milk and meat are taken as major products. Besides this, these animals are used for draught purposes.
As per IFCN Dairy Map/Reort 2012, Pakistan is 3rd largest milk producing country in the world. Milk is produced by buffalo, cattle, sheep, goat and camel but being major contributor in milk production, cattle and buffalo are considered as major dairy animals and are always mainly focused and discussed. These dairy animals are also used as draught and beef animals. When a dairy animal has spent her productive life and becomes uneconomical for milk production then she is used as a beef animal. Male calves of dairy animals and dairy bulls when no further required for breeding purposes are also utilized for beef purposes.
Buffalos found in Pakistan make up 47% of Pakistan's major dairy animal's population providing more than about61% of the total milk produced in the country. Buffalo breeds found in Pakistan are Nili Ravi, Kundi and Aza Kheli. Nili Ravi is considered best buffalo breed in world and known as Black Gold of Pakistan. Cattle constitute about 53% of the national population of major dairy animals in Pakistan and contribute the share of almost 35% to the total milk production in country. The cattle breeds found in the country are Sahiwal, Cholistani, Red Sndhi, Achai, Bhagnari, Dajal, Dhanni, Gibrali, Kankraj, Lohani, Rojhan, and Thari. Out of these, Sahiwal, Cholistani, and Red Sindhi are main dairy breeds and well known internationally due to their distinct characteristics. Other than well-defined cattle breeds, there are a large number of nondescript cattle breeds and crossbred cattle.
Goat is considered as `poor man's cow'. Some rural and urban people keep goats and sheep and use their milk for domestic consumption. The same is true about certain nomads who raise camels and use their milk to meet family needs. Some camelmen when in periurban situation, sell milk in urban areas. Certain breeds of camels in Pakistan, have the potential to be called as dairy animals, but being slow breeders they remained ignored since long.
More than 96% of the milk produced in Pakistan comes from cattle and buffalo. The rest of it is collectively produced by sheep, goat and camel which, most of the time, is not sold as such, rather mixed with buffalo and cow milk. Estimated national livestock Population and milk production of 2012-13 based on National Livestock Census 2006 is given below:
Species
|
Population (Million)
|
Milk Production (Million Tons)
|
Cattle
|
38.3
|
17.372
|
Buffalo
|
33.7
|
30.462
|
Sheep
|
28.8
|
0.037
|
Goat
|
64.9
|
0.801
|
Camel
|
1.0
|
0.840
|
Total
|
166.7
|
49.512
|
Current Estimated Province Wise Livestock Population is given below:
(Millions)
Province
|
Cattle
|
Buffalo
|
Sheep
|
Goat
|
Camel
|
Punjab
|
19.0
|
21.9
|
6.9
|
24.0
|
0.22
|
Sindh
|
8.8
|
9.1
|
4.3
|
14.9
|
0.30
|
KPK
|
7.7
|
2.4
|
3.7
|
11.7
|
0.07
|
Balochistan
|
3.1
|
0.3
|
13.8
|
14.2
|
0.41
|
Milk is favourite food in Pakistan and is consumed as fresh, boiled, powdered and in processed form as yogurt, ghee, lassi, butter, cheese, ice cream, sweets and in other confectioneries. The interesting thing regarding the dairy sector of Pakistan is that although we are fourth largest milk producing country in the world but still this production falls short to meet national demand. As a result milk is to be imported to fulfill this demand. Human milk consumption in Pakistan for year 2012-13 is given below:
Species
|
Human Milk Consumption (Million Tons)
|
Cattle
|
13.897
|
Buffalo
|
24.370
|
Sheep
|
0.037
|
Goat
|
0.801
|
Camel
|
0.840
|
Total
|
39.945
|
Let's have a look on different production systems of Pakistan. Till late eighties, more than 60% of buffaloes and some cows were maintained under the system of Rural Subsistence Production System. In this system on an average there were 3 to 4 dairy animals with one or two adult females. Almost 50 to 60% of the feed requirements of these animals were fulfilled from grazing along with wheat straw and some green fodder. ¼th of milk produced was sold out and remaining was utilized for domestic use. This system still exists in some areas of Pakistan.
With the time being Rural Subsistence Production System changed into Rural Market-Oriented Smallholder Production System. Under this system, on an average there were 5 to 7 animals per herd, inclusive of cow; 3 to 4 adult lactating animals, one or two heifers, and one or two male calves, but most often no bull. Feeding requirement of lactating animals were fulfilled from fodder along with wheat straw and seed cake. More than 70% of milk produced was sold either directly or through middlemen. This system was practiced by those smallholders who have access to nearby livestock markets.
In 1980s, dairy sector in Pakistan moved towards commercial side and development of rural commercial dairy farms started. A typical rural dairy farm running on commercial basis consisted of about 30 animals of which 70% were females, including some cows. Approximately 40% of these adult females were in milk during most of the year. Fodder crops provided 50% and straws about 35% of the feed requirements and concentrates made the rest of it.More than 90% of the milk produced at the farm was sold.
With growing demand for milk in urban areas rural commercial dairy farming moved toward peri-urban areas. In peri-urban areas there are large and small dairy herds consisting of 20-50 animals with nearly 90% of adult females in production. Male calves are disposed off within first two weeks of birth. These animals are fed chopped green fodder and wheat straw and concentrate mixture with target to sell almost total milk produced.
Due to enhanced rate of urbanization over the last 2 to 3 decades, large peri-urban commercial dairy farming is going towards urban commercial farming. Targets of these farms are to get maximum milk production with economical and quality feeding and good management. Animals on these farms are fed good quality green fodder or silage along with concentrate mixture. Dairy animals maintained at these farms are considered elite animals, hence their yields per lactation are considerably higher than those of animals maintained under other production systems. Milk produced on these farms is either sold out in processed/fresh form through outlets or departmental stores or supplied to dairy companies.
During last ten years major changes has been occurred in dairy sector of Pakistan and due to these change this sector is on the way to become an industry. A large number of modern dairy farms have been established in different areas. Most of these dairy farms have exotic animals and number of these animals is in hundreds and even in thousands. Dairy farms with more than 3000 animals also exist and with 5000 animals are in plan. Such farms have adopted most modern managemental and feeding practices and well trained man power. Milk produced on these farms is either sold out in processed/fresh form through outlets or departmental stores etc. or supplied to dairy companies.
Buffalo breeds found in Pakistan are:
Nili-Ravi
Kundhi
Azi-Khaeli
Nili-Ravi:
Habitat:
The hometract of the Nili-Ravi buffalo includes Lahore, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Okara, Sahiwal, Pakpattan and Vehari districts of Central Punjab; and Multan and parts of Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar districts of southern Punjab. However, because of their well-recognized dairy qualities, these animals are now found all over the country. Nili-Ravi 'buffaloes are in great demand in several other countries as well. Nili and Ravi were recognized as separate breeds until 1960's when merging of the two breeds was accepted in the form of Nili-Ravi breed. | |||||
Physical Characteristics:
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