by Given Hamnungu, Tiger Feeds Livestock Technical Advisor

Setting up a dairy farm

Dairy farming is one of the most profitable farming enterprises, but it requires significant financial input, time, and planning. Before undertaking such a project, a farmer should set clear goals for the farm and understand why he is undertaking the project. Because of the large capital investment required for dairy farming, Tiger Animal Feeds developed detailed plans that were analysed and stress tested to bring you quality products and technical services.

When starting a dairy farming business, the farmer should address the most important planning steps first.

Let’s take a look.

1. Develop a physical plan for the dairy farm which includes the milking parlour, pasture lands, animal housing and storage.
   • The size of the land available to the farmer determines the number of cows that will be kept. Calculate the space available and how many cows it will be able to hold.
   • Develop a milking facility design that will accommodate the cows while leaving enough room for future expansion.
   • Decide on an operational plan for the farm: Who will do the work? Who will manage the farm? Ask Tiger Animal Feeds for professional technical assistance on these questions.

2. Develop a capital budget for the farm to quantify the total cost of converting to an operational dairy farm.
• Start by estimating the cost of each item in the development plan. You can speak to Tiger Animal Feeds for additional advice.
• Develop a stock budget based on the total number of stock, including
the costs for buying replacements.
• Allow a contingency of at least 10% on the capital budget for unforeseen costs. • Do not get discouraged by these costs, Tiger Animal Feeds has experts who can assist – no charge!

3. Develop an operational budget for the farm to quantify the total costs and total income generated annually.
   • When it comes to dairy farming, it is important to make a 5-year budgeting tool to forecast cash inputs and outputs as well as profitability.
   • When the budget is complete, the plan should focus on increasing the
   milk production.

Tiger Animal Feeds Dairy Feeding Guide

Calf Starter pellets (18%)

A blend of high-quality concentrate, short fibre, macro- and micro minerals,
as well as vitamins which meet all the calf’s nutrient requirements.

Feeding recommendations
• To be fed ad libitum with the calf starter pellets and clean fresh water until weaning is completed.
• Restrict water for 20 minutes after feeding milk.
• Offer small quantities of good quality hay, but provide ad libitum post weaning.

Expected feed intakes
Expected feed intake from birth to 21 weeks will be 2 kg/day for Holsteins
and 1,5 kg/day for Jerseys.

Elite Heifer (18%)

A blend of proteins, starches, fats, and vitamins to ensure maximum growth of the young heifer. This is ideal for heifer rearing from 21 weeks to mating at 15 months. It contains urea, Rumensin 1,8% protein, 5,99% or 35,27% bypass protein and metabolisable energy of 9,5 mJ/kg.

Feeding recommendations
• Elite Heifer should be fed with clean fresh water.
• Feed calves ad libitum from 21 weeks to 15 months of age and supplement it with good quality roughage.

Expected feed intakes

Expected feed intake is approximately 4 to 5 kg/day per animal.

Dairy 19 (mash)

This is fed to lactating cows. A complete dairy feed to meet the needs of
the lactating cow.

Feeding recommendations
• Feed Dairy 19 together with pastures and hay.

Dairy 30 Concentrate

This is designed for lactating cows. A complete dairy feed to meet the needs
of the lactating cow.

Feeding recommendations

Mix Dairy 30 Concentrate in a ratio of 70% maize bran, 30% concentrate. The complete mix will contain approximately 14% crude protein (CP).

Expected feed intakes
Feed together with hay or good quality roughage.

To find out more about feed for your dairy farm, contact Rowena Blanco on +260-96-7991-847 or +260-96-7790-404. Alternatively, send an e-mail to rowena@tigerfeeds.com.zm or visit their website at www.tigerfeeds.com.