So, you want to be a dairy farmer? Maybe you grew up on the farm and are taking over ownership from your parents or grandparents, maybe you have worked on a dairy and milked cows for years, or maybe you are a novice to dairy farming but think the enterprise seems like a lifestyle for you. Whatever your background and experience, there are some things you need to know before you get start milking cows.
Business plan
A dairy farm is a business. Development of detailed business plan and a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) of your plan and the resources available will be critical in the success of your business. How many cows will you milk? Where will you market your milk? Will you hire employees? How much money do you need to live on after all the dairy bills are paid? Your business plan should include a cash flow plan that will help you set reasonable expectations for your expenses and cost of production.
Consult the experts
Even if you grew up on a dairy farm and learned how to feed and milk cows from your parents and grandparents it is important to consult experts in the dairy industry as you develop your business plan and design your management system. Other dairy producers are great resources.
Attend field days on dairy farms in your area and other parts of the country. When visiting other farms find out what has not worked on those farms. However, keep in mind that just because something worked on one farm, it does not mean it will work on your farm.
In addition to farmers, talk to veterinarians, nutritionists, agronomists, bankers, extension educators, and others who can provide different perspectives on management of your dairy.
Cropping and feeding
Whether you are going to feed a total mixed ration, graze your cattle, or a combination of both; dairy cattle require certain nutrients to thrive produce milk and support a calf.
Work with a nutritionist to develop rations for your lactating cows and dry cows and heifers if these animals are to be raised on the farm. Producing all your own feed takes land and time, not to mention equipment for planting and harvesting the crops.
Hiring labour to plant and harvest forage, or making arrangements with government or private institutions to hire equipment can reduce your capital investment as you get started with your dairy business.
Waste management plan
Dairy cattle produce a lot of manure. While this manure is often referred to as waste, if managed and used properly it can be a great resource on the farm.
Manure management will be tied closely to your cropping and feeding programme. If you are able to use a double cropping system on your farm it will not only allow you to produce more feed, but l also allow you to apply more manure to your land.
Alternatives to direct land application of manure include composting and anaerobic digestion of manure. While these options may provide additional revenue and other benefits to your dairy, they will also increase the capital investment required to get your dairy started.
Every farm will need a manure management plan, but depending on the size of your farm a nutrient management plan may also be required.
Check with your district or local extension office for more information.
Build your equity
Dairy farming requires a large capital investment. Land, buildings, equipment and cows are expensive and a few new dairy farmers will have the capital required to purchase everything when they get started in business. Many farmers begin by purchasing their cows and renting the farm and land. These initial animals are your farm’s equity.
Dairy farming
The dairy farm is dependent on the cow’s ability to live a healthy life, produce milk, and have calves that can become the next generation of the farm.
Dairy farming requires detailed programmes for herd health, reproduction and calf care as well as the nutrition and financial aspects on the farm. Working with your veterinarian, livestock breeders and extension agents can help you develop comprehensive farm plans to create a positive future.
One size does not fit
All dairy farms are different based on the producer’s wishes, resource requirements, market needs and more.
Multiple systems exist and can be profitable. Some producers contract out their replacements to a custom heifer raiser, while others diversify by selling crops, raising steers or creating a home bottling plant for milk products. How you farm will depend on your desires, resources, and drive.
You are a manager first
All these previous items are just pieces of the puzzle. In order to succeed you will need to combine each aspect of management into a whole farm plan. However, you do not need to do it all.
Work with trusted consultants to help you build a plan and stick with your strengths. If you love milking cows but hate planting forage, find someone to work with who does, or contract that work out to a third party.
Consider creating a farm management or profit team that engages your consultants to be active participants in the farm’s progress.
