Q&A for How to Start a Dairy Farm

Yes. There is no bar for the quantity.

Yes, but it's not profitable. It's better to start with at least 5-6 cows.

It may be profitable if you make the right business decisions.

Watch videos and read books. Work on some dairy farms for a few months to gain knowledge.

Sand is better, but the cost to keep them clean is a problem. It's better to have both if you have the space.

Study business management. If there is another dairy farm around, make a visit there to see how those business owners operate. Research what is needed to start a dairy farm.

In Karnataka, a cow producing 20 ltrs/day that you can breed, with will cost 70 to 80 K. ($1200 U.S. dollars).

No less than 20, but depends on how big you want your business to be.

It's impossible to give an exact number as so many factors would influence the cost.

Depends on what your milk is going for. If you are in a fluid market, the best breed hands down is Holstein. However, if you are going to market cheese, or if you are selling to a cheese processor, jersey cows would be the most beneficial. Do some online research to find the cow breeds that fit your needs and climate.

You need to speak to a bank. You'll need a business plan, decent credit and a down payment.

Follow the instructions listed in the article above.

Try to have at least an acre If possible, because there will be a cow shed and calf shed and feed storage, among other things.

Around 8 - 10 liters, depending on the cow and breed.

Maintaining a bull in your farm may cost you more up front than AI but it is a good investment, in my opinion. The females can breed naturally and comfortably and this causes them to produce more milk.

Start by creating good credit history, having good saving history, come up with a convincing business plan and repayment plan, then go apply for the loan. Collateral will help you get the loan.

Since profits for dairy farms are very low, even among ranchers with hundreds of cattle, it is very unlikely that a single cow will produce any significant profit. You are more likely to lose money due to the cost of maintaining the cow. However, a single cow can easily provide enough milk for your own family's use. You may even be able to sell some of it directly to neighbors.

For a farm with 25 cows, you would need at least a $35-40K investment.

You should watch videos and read books on the subject and talk to experts.

Any breed would work as long as the cows have protection from the wind and a warm shelter when needed. The important things would be a little more external fat for insulation and being acclimated to the environment, along with a high level of forage quality.

There are normally milk collection centers that you can supply with your milk on a daily basis. You can also team up with other small-scale milk producers and have an automated teller machine for milk in a town center.

The cow starts milking after birthing. Cows usually milk for about 10 months, peaking at 40 to 60 days and slowly decreasing after that. It is best to breed to calf at 12- to 14-month intervals. This makes a 10-month milking and 2- to 4-month dry cycle.

A climate without temperatures of extreme heat or cold is best, with summer months that get plenty of rain.

Cow - Gir (A2 type milk), it has more nutrients. Buffalo - Murrah (rich in fat and calcium). Murrah buffalo are very peaceful and have more capacity to give regular milk, and the calves are cost-friendly.

You would need an area that's at least 12' x 4' (excluding food space) for one cow.

It depends on the herd size you want to start with. A good rule of thumb is that the initial investment required is double the cost of the animals.

A water tank for drinking and washing purposes is the most important factor. You need a good shed that maintains temperature and mats for resting the animals. Fans will be needed for cooling and air circulation. You also need one clean room or shed for storing the fodder.

It may be possible to get subsidies to help with your farm. Do some research online or at your local library to find out more.

I think you should read The Veterinary Book For Dairy Farmers by Roger Blowey.

1.5 - 2 acres per dairy cow if you are going to let them graze on the land. If you decide to feed them alfalfa hay as a supplement then you can put 4 to 6 on an acre.