The dairy cow industry in South Africa is one of the largest agricultural industries in the country, employing more than 40 000 people. Starting a dairy farm is more than just owning a few dairy cows and milking them two times daily.
It requires knowledge of dairy cow diseases, correct housing and feeding of dairy cows, understanding milking equipment and assuring absolute cleanliness and hygiene during milking and the processing of milk.
While the Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO) provides training and supports sustainable dairy farming in South Africa, South Africa Online ® aims to provide easy-to-read content in all 11 languages that could help new farmers understand basic principles about dairy farming in South Africa.
A milk storage room should be clean at all times and must be sited in a clean area, away from obvious sources of contamination and separate ...
The ideal dairy herd has dry cows as well as heifers of different ages to ensure continued production and herd growth....
Lactating cows should be bought at first as there is an immediate milk supply and therefor an immediate cash flow....
While looking to buy dairy cows when starting a dairy farm, some basic facilities must be put in place before bringing cows to the new farm....
The amount of milk a dairy cow will produce every day depends on her genetic merit and the feeding programme....
Persistence of milk production – the downward trend in milk production after peak yield...
Identity is determined by the colour pattern (for Holsteins) and ear tattoos (for Jerseys)....
To maintain a high standard of reproduction management, the next expected calving down date should be less than 13 months from the present c...
Is the climate warm or cold? Do you have good quality feed available, do you have housing for your cows and is there a lot of cattle disease...
Milk fever usually occurs at calving or 3 to 4 days after calving in older, high producing cows. It is also more common in Jerseys than othe...
The milk let-down process starts with cows being brought to the milking parlour with the general pre-milking sounds such as cans being moved...
Within six hours after birth, help the calf to suckle from the mother or milk the cow by hand and feed colostrum to the calf using an artifi...
Milk production starts after calving. Getting cows pregnant is therefore one of the most important management actions on a dairy farm....
The main four dairy breeds - Holsteins, Jerseys, Ayrshires and Guernseys, vary in terms of live weight, milk yield and milk composition, but...