Dovec Farms

30/12/2024

INCREASED MILK PRODUCTION

Increasing milk production in dairy cows involves a combination of proper nutrition, genetics, herd management, and animal welfare. Here are the key strategies:

1. Nutrition

Balanced Diet: Provide a ration with adequate energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Forage should make up the majority of the diet, supplemented with concentrates as needed.

High-Quality Forage: Use high-quality silage, hay, or green fodder. Consider growing nutrient-rich fodder crops like Napier grass, lucerne, or maize silage.

Feed Additives: Use additives like rumen buffers, yeast cultures, and fats to enhance digestion and energy supply.

Water Access: Ensure cows have unlimited access to clean, fresh water as milk is 87% water.

2. Herd Management

Regular Health Checks: Monitor for diseases such as mastitis, lameness, and reproductive disorders.

Heat Stress Management: Provide shade, fans, or sprinklers to keep cows cool during hot weather.

Hygiene: Maintain a clean environment to reduce the risk of infections.

3. Genetics and Breeding

Breed Selection: Choose breeds or crossbreeds that are high milk producers and suited to your climate (e.g., Friesians or Ayrshires in Kenya).

Artificial Insemination (AI): Use semen from bulls with proven genetic traits for milk production and fertility.

4. Milking Practices

Consistent Milking Schedule: Milk at the same time every day to reduce stress.

Proper Milking Technique: Use clean, sanitized equipment and ensure complete milking to avoid mastitis and maintain production.

5. Animal Welfare

Comfortable Housing: Provide comfortable bedding, adequate space, and good ventilation.

Stress Reduction: Avoid overcrowding and handle cows gently to minimize stress.

6. Record Keeping
Keep detailed records of milk yields, feed intake, breeding, and health. Analyze the data to identify areas for improvement.

By combining these practices, you can sustainably increase milk production while ensuring the healthcare.

29/12/2024

Read this before starting a dairy farm

Starting a dairy farm especially in Kenya is no easy task. A new dairy farm needs a lot of planning and capital! Planning, however, is the big word here! You cannot wake up one morning, check your bank account, buy stuff and start a dairy farm. Starting a dairy farm needs more than money…it needs planning and clear goals of where you are going and what you need to achieve. If you add a bit of passion to the mix and you are destined for success.

We are going to focus on two important factors which are the main determinants to milk production; Breed selection and Feeding. Other honourable productivity mentions include; Health, reproduction and housing. If you get these steps right, then you are on the right track to success.
Look for a good breed

You are starting a dairy farm to get milk and make money right? Yes! Knowing the right breed to buy is a priority because it will determine how much milk you get daily (This is assuming you will manage your farm well – and in manage, I mean feeding your cows right and making sure they don’t get sick).

These are some of the main breeds found in Kenya;

Fresian: The Fresian has a milk yield between 25–30 litres per day.
Jersey: The Jersey breed has a milk yield between 15–20 litres per day.
Ayrshire: The Ayrshire has a milk yield of 20 litres per day.
Guernsey: The Guernsey cow can give you up to 25 litres per day.
Fleckvieh: The Fleckvieh breed is a multi-purpose, meaning it can be used for milk and meat. It produces between 18-20 litres per day.

Follow the right breeding programs to ensure your cow gives birth every year. It’s a huge blessing when your cow gives birth every year. It’s a big deal. It ensures you have a constant flow of milk and new cows to replace the old ones.

Always use artificial insemination (AI) to breed your dairy cows. AI gives you imported, superior, disease-free bull semen that will improve your herd.

It is cheaper to buy local breeds and use AI to perfect them over the years. It is time-consuming but it will save you a lot of money as a beginner farmer.

Feeding

Cows are simple creatures. Give them food and they will give you milk. Give them enough good and nutritious food and they will give you a lot of milk. Food and water should readily be available to your dairy cows.

29/12/2024

How much feed does a cow need to produce 1 litre of milk?

On average it takes 1.25 to 1.44 kg of feed to produce 1 L of milk or 0.63 to 0.72 kg of dry matter, which is the nutrient content of the feed with all the water removed.

Dairy farmers feed their cows to aim to produce 1.4 to 1.6 L of milk per kg of dry matter intake. In early lactation ( less than 100 days in milk), cows will produce an average of 40 L of milk per day and eat 50 kg of feed per day, which averages 50% water and 50% dry matter.

So, early lactation cows need 1.25 kg of feed per L of milk, which results in 1.6 L of milk per kg of dry matter intake. In late lactation (over 200 days milking), cows will only produce an average of 25 L of milk and eat 36 kg of feed per day. So, late lactation cows need 1.44 kg of feed per L of milk, which results in 1.4 L of milk per kg of dry matter intake.

In general, dairy cows are fed a total mixed ration, which should contain all the nutrients a cow needs in every bite. A total mixed ration will contain roughly 50 to 60% forage (hay and silage) and 40 to 50% concentrates (grain, protein meal, fat, vitamin/mineral) and each kg of dry matter should break down to 70% carbohydrate, 18% protein, 6% fat and 6% vitamins and minerals.

29/12/2024

How to make your poultry feeds from day old chicks
1.
Starter Feed (0-8 weeks)
- Maize: 50 kg
- Soya Meal: 17.5 kg
- Fish Meal: 12 kg
- Maize Bran: 10 kg
- Sunflower Cake: 4.5 kg
- Limestone: 4 kg
- Bone Meal: 1.5 kg
- Salt: 300 grams
- Premix: 200 grams
- Toxin Binder: 100 grams

This feed provides the necessary high protein (18-20%) for the rapid growth and development of the chicks.

2.
Grower Feed (9-20 weeks)
- Maize: 60 kg
- Soya Meal: 14 kg
- Fish Meal: 10 kg
- Maize Bran: 7 kg
- Sunflower Cake: 5 kg
- Limestone: 2.5 kg
- Bone Meal: 1.2 kg
- Salt: 200 grams
- Premix: 100 grams
- Toxin Binder: 50 grams

This formulation lowers the protein content to around 16-18%, which is ideal for the continued growth and preparation of the birds for laying.

3.
Layer Feed (20+ weeks)
- Maize: 55 kg
- Soya Meal: 13 kg
- Fish Meal: 8 kg
- Maize Bran: 12 kg
- Sunflower Cake: 6 kg
- Limestone: 5 kg
- Bone Meal: 2 kg
- Salt: 300 grams
- Premix: 150 grams
- Toxin Binder: 100 grams

This feed supports egg production with around 16% protein and the necessary calcium for strong eggshells.

28/12/2024

This is an interactive platform for Kenchic Poultry Farmers. Share ideas, ask for help, offer assist

28/12/2024

What is poultry vaccination?

Vaccination is an effective means to prevent and/or reduce the adverse effects of specific diseases in poultry. Poultry refers to birds that people keep for their use, and generally includes chicken, turkey, duck, goose, quail, pheasant, pigeon, guinea fowl, pea fowl, ostrich, emu, and rhea.

14/12/2024

AGRICULTURAL LAWS TO KNOW

1. Never target high seasons; high seasons come with their own challenges. Be a farmer, not a gambler.

2. Choose at least two main crops and a crop rotation plan. Switching from one crop to another is not directly in your pocket.

3. Plan your farm and always have crops at different stages of age to ensure a constant supply.

4. No crop is profitable in itself; just master the advantages and disadvantages of a particular crop.

5. Having a lot is not a guarantee for successful farming.

6. Have a spraying and fertilizing plan and stick to it.

7. Never follow the advice of agro-veterinarians and agrochemical sales agents. Most of them are salespeople, not agronomists.

8. Try as much as possible to reduce agricultural expenses without compromising the quality of products.

9. Never hold onto a product if it is perishable. Sell it at prevailing prices.

10. Never plant a new seed on a large scale before testing it, unless you have seen it somewhere.

11. Never entrust your million-dollar idea to a farm worker; make sure you are present during critical stages of crop development until commercialization.

12. Never employ a close family member to manage your farm; most of them will let you down.

13. If you are neighboring farmers, plant the same crop.

14. Never apply agricultural information you get online without consulting your agronomist.

15. Always have a farm plan.

16. Old is always good. Most old seed varieties and chemicals will never disappoint you.

11/12/2024

What beef breeds should you go for?

Environmental factors will help a farmer select the best suited beef breed. The prevailing temperatures (heat and humidity) and pastures for example are factors that you must consider. Cross breeds are a darling to many beef farmers because they combine local environmental tolerance and good beef traits.

In Kenya, cattle for beef production can be selected from the dual purpose breeds like the East African Zebu, Boran, Simmental and Sahiwal or from beef breeds like Hereford, Charolais or Angus.
The choice of which breed to keep will also be determined by the preferences of your target market. Age at slaughter or market weight will determine which breed to select. If you are targeting to attain market weight at 12 months which has been shown to be the most profitable slaughter age, then an exotic beef breed will do. But bear in mind that this will come with intensive feeding.

Which approach or production system?

There are three approaches in beef farming; cow/calf, back grounding feeder calves and feedlots. In the cow/calf approach, a farmer keeps a herd of cows that produce calves. In this approach, the main focus is on the calves produced per year. If a farmer chooses cow/calf production, the breed selected should have good reproduction history. It should produce one calf annually. For this to be realised, a good feeding programme must be in place.

A backgrounder on the other hand buys weaned calves and feeds them to a certain weight before selling them. A feedlot operator buys weaned calves or mature animals (normally in not so good condition) and fattens them specifically for the market.

In both, take an extra step and know the health status of the animals being acquired. Vaccinations and de-worming records must be kept.

Feeding Programme

It doesn’t matter which approach you choose, feeding will be a critical component and one that will contribute greatly to your success or failure.

The business of beef cattle is to convert feeds into meat and your business is to ensure that happens by provision of quality feeds. Beef cattle have different nutritional requirements which are determined by the breed and the physiological status -- pregnant cows will for example require more nutrients compared to the other animals.

Breeds need to be selected that fit into a designed production system. For example, East African Zebu or the Boran may cost less in terms of feeding but will take a longer to mature and is therefore suited for large ranches.

The production system for cow-calf producers should include a cross-breeding programme that utilises two or more breeds. The breeds chosen need to produce calves that are appropriate for their end use.

___________________________________
BEEF CATTLE FARMING PROJECT BUSINESS PLANS NOW AVAILABLE

E- COPIES Now Available @ kshs 400/-

For E-COPIES, pay through Mpesa Till Number 664444 or Text your email to 0724512194.

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09/12/2024

28/11/2024

Feed formulation
Feed formulation refers to the process of creating a balanced and nutritious mixture of ingredients to meet the dietary needs of animals, whether for livestock, poultry, aquaculture, or pets. It involves selecting the right ingredients and adjusting their proportions to ensure optimal health, growth, reproduction, and performance. Below is an expert recommendation.

Starter Feed (0-8 weeks)
Maize: 50 kilograms
Soya Meal: 17.5 kilograms
Fish Meal: 12 kilograms
Maize Bran: 10 kilograms
Sunflower Cake: 4.5 kilograms
Limestone: 4 kilograms
Bone Meal: 1.5 kilograms
Salt: 300 grams
Premix: 200 grams
Toxin Binder: 100 grams
This feed supplies the essential high protein (18-20%) required for the rapid growth and advancement of the chicks.
Grower Feed (9-20 weeks)
Maize: 60 kilograms
Soya Meal: 14 kilograms
Fish Meal: 10 kilograms
Maize Bran: 7 kilograms
Sunflower Cake: 5 kilograms
Limestone: 2.5 kilograms
Bone Meal: 1.2 kilograms
Salt: 200 grams
Premix: 100 grams
Toxin Binder: 50 grams
This formulation diminishes the protein content to approximately 16-18%, which is optimal for the ongoing growth and preparation of the birds for laying.
Layer Feed (20+ weeks)
Maize: 55 kilograms
Soya Meal: 13 kilograms
Fish Meal: 8 kilograms
Maize Bran: 12 kilograms
Sunflower Cake: 6 kilograms
Limestone: 5 kilograms
Bone Meal: 2 kilograms
Salt: 300 grams
Premix: 150 grams
Toxin Binder: 100 grams
This feed sustains egg production with approximately 16% protein and the necessary calcium for robust eggshells.

21/09/2024

Super jersey on sale

09/08/2024

KALES/RAPE FARMING

Raising Seedlings
• Use certified seed with special attributes, such as tolerance/resistance to pest and diseases and high yielding
• The seed rate is about 50 g per acre

Nursery Site Selection:
• The nursery should be located in a plot that has not been planted with crops in the
Brassicaceae family for at least three (3) years

Nursery Establishment:
• Prepare a seed bed of 1 m width and of
convenient length
• Make 2 cm deep drills on the seed bed at a
spacing of 10 – 15 cm apart
• Thinly sow the seeds in the drills and cover
lightly with soil
• Mulch seedlings in the seedbed, if possible

Management of Nursery:
• Water the seedlings regularly
• Avoid over-watering which can lead to
“Damping-off” disease
• Start hardening the seedlings 1 – 2 weeks
before transplanting by reducing the frequency of watering and the shade over the nursery

• Notes: It may be effective to raise seedlings in pots(potting)/seedling trays in order to avoid overgrowing in the nursery

Transplanting
Appropriate Time
• Seedling should be transplanted 30 days after seed germination
• Transplanting should be done either early in the morning or late in the evening
• In case farmers did potting, the seedlings can be transplanted more than 30 days after germination

Recommended Spacing
• Transplant the seedling at a spacing of 60 cm
between rows and 40 – 60 cm between plants
depending on the variety
• Plant Population: 11,111-16,666 per acre

Fertilizer Application Rates
• In case manure/compost is to be applied during
transplanting, apply 1 – 2 handfuls per hole (5 – 8 tons/acre)
• Apply 80 kg/acre (1 teaspoonful/hole) of TSP in the planting holes

[Note]
– Soil testing to determine the type and amount of fertilizer
– Only thoroughly composted manure should be used to avoid possible introduction of pests and diseases in the field
– The TSP should be mixed thoroughly with the soil to avoid possible scorching of the
seedlings

30/07/2024

16/07/2024

It is always a dream come true for any farmer to have a cow breed that gives high returns.