Increasing milk production in Ethiopia
Usually, the size of the herd and the number of calvings are more or less static, they should be
treated as a given parameter. So the main effort should go into increasing milk production in the
current herd, while taking the necessary steps to maximize the milk production, although doing so
carefully in order to avoid hurting the dairy production industry in Africa in the long run also milk
production.
Below are some recommendations for increasing milk production in Ethiopia:
1. Improving the cow’s cooling process through proper water, shading and
ventilation.
This is probably the main method for increasing milk production in Africa during the summer. But it is
important to note that the method and quality of the cooling systems used is critical for the success
of this step. This means wetting and ventilating the cows frequently and for the proper duration
during the day and night, according to their level of production and the heat they are exposed to.
2. Increasing milking frequency immediately after calving.
This recommendation refers to six milkings during a 24 hour period in the first three weeks after
calving. Taking this step may increase the burden on the cows during this critical stage, but it seems
that the extra walking and standing can pay off, providing that the cows’ walking distance is not
excessive (over 350 meters), that the time intervals between milkings is at least two hours, and that
the cows are sufficiently cooled in the waiting parlor. Another condition, when taking this step is
ensuring proper feeding according to the cows’ needs, water availability, and a cool, dry and
ventilated shed.
3. Monitoring the size and crowdedness of the herd.
Assuming that the total size of the herd is not decreased, the cow sheds and the waiting parlor are
expected to become rather crowded, increasing the number of low production cows. This
overcrowding, especially during summer can negatively affect the ability to cool the cows and as a
result cause the decrease in milk production. In this case it is recommended to open a new group for
the low production cows.
Increasing milk production in EthiopiaUsually, the size of the herd and the number of calvings are more or less static, they should betreated as a given parameter. So the main effort should go into increasing milk production in thecurrent herd, while taking the necessary steps to maximize the milk production, although doing socarefully in order to avoid hurting the dairy production industry in Africa in the long run also milkproduction.Below are some recommendations for increasing milk production in Ethiopia:1. Improving the cow’s cooling process through proper water, shading andventilation.This is probably the main method for increasing milk production in Africa during the summer. But it isimportant to note that the method and quality of the cooling systems used is critical for the successof this step. This means wetting and ventilating the cows frequently and for the proper durationduring the day and night, according to their level of production and the heat they are exposed to.2. Increasing milking frequency immediately after calving.This recommendation refers to six milkings during a 24 hour period in the first three weeks aftercalving. Taking this step may increase the burden on the cows during this critical stage, but it seemsthat the extra walking and standing can pay off, providing that the cows’ walking distance is notexcessive (over 350 meters), that the time intervals between milkings is at least two hours, and thatthe cows are sufficiently cooled in the waiting parlor. Another condition, when taking this step isensuring proper feeding according to the cows’ needs, water availability, and a cool, dry andventilated shed.3. Monitoring the size and crowdedness of the herd.Assuming that the total size of the herd is not decreased, the cow sheds and the waiting parlor areexpected to become rather crowded, increasing the number of low production cows. Thisovercrowding, especially during summer can negatively affect the ability to cool the cows and as aresult cause the decrease in milk production. In this case it is recommended to open a new group forthe low production cows.
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