Q: How does milking by milking machine help?

Q: How does milking by milking machine help? Does milking 3 times a day (every 8 hours) increase the milk yield?
Ans: The use of milking machine is very successful in cows. The biggest benefit of milking machines is that you are not dependent too much on labour and that it is hygienic. Also, milking machines help in sucking all the milk from the udder. This helps in reducing the instance of diseases and also in extracting all the fat from the udder (most of the fat in the milk comes out at the end of the milking. This is why the udder should be emptied. Also, this is the reason why we should not let the calves to suck in after milking, it should be done before milking or they should be fed separately). Milking 3 times a day contributes to an increase of about 10% in the milk yield of a cow that gives around 20 litres of milk per day.

Q: How much milk can a cross-breed Holstein-Friesian give?

Q: How much milk can a cross-breed Holstein-Friesian give?

Ans: A cross-breed Holstein-Friesian can give upto 45-50 litres of milk per day (milking thrice a day). However, it will require a lot of care and expense. A commercial dairy owner should target a per cow milk production of 20-30 litres per day.

Q: Is the high-yielding Holstein-Friesian cow available in India?

Q: Is the high-yielding Holstein-Friesian cow available in India? Where can I buy these cows? What is the cost of a cross breed Holstein-Friesian? Where can I buy them?
Ans: Yes, all types of high-yielding Holstein-Friesian cows are available in India. However, it is better to buy the cows which have been cross-bred with a local breed (desi) so as to maintain immunity to high temperatures and humidity. A Holstein-Friesian cow that gives 20 litres of milk per day (milked twice a day) will cost approximately Rs. 35000-40000. The rates increase for a young cow (first or second lactation). The major hubs for purchasing cross breed Holstein-Friesian and pure Holstein-Friesian are Punjab and Haryana. You can even purchase cows that give more than 35-40 litres of milk per day. For humid and temperate climates, cows can be sourced from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Q: I want to start a dairy farm with cross-breed Holstein-Friesian cows.

Q: I want to start a dairy farm with cross-breed Holstein-Friesian cows. I have __ acres of land with irrigation facilities where I can grow green fodder. The climate in my area is extreme with summer temperatures as high as 46-47 degrees Celsius and winter temperature as low as 5-6 degrees Celsius. Electricity is available in my village but not always.

Ans: Cross-breed Holstein-Friesian cows can withstand extreme temperatures. However, you have to make sure that the cows you buy are not more than 60% pure breed. A dairy farm needs very less electricity and the major requirement is only for cutting the fodder and water pump which can be managed when there is electricity.

Introductory post

Hey people,

I am glad that I can use this platform to help all you people who are interested in dairy farming and especially, rearing cows. I would like to help you in setting up your dairy farm by taking you through a step-by-step process. All the information provided here is free and there is no money involved. I have run a dairy farm and have completed a course in scientific dairy farming from the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana.

I hope that all of you may succeed in establishing great cow farms and propser along with keeping the cows happy.