Low milk production
Low milk production can challenge dairy farmers anywhere in the world, especially in Africa, where
the heat can negatively influence milk productivity in cow dairy farms.
Many things can influence milk production, even in high tech farms. Among the most
common and well known causes are:
- A wide range of health problems can cause a decrease in milk production, including feet and leg
problems, lung or intestinal problems, parasites anemia (as a result of deficiencies in protein, iron,
calcium, copper, cobalt or selenium. Parasites can also cause severe anemia).
- Feeding issues: ration deficiencies including insufficient or under or over-feeding, toxic weed intake,
lack of water intake, or insufficient water quality.
- External conditions such as excessive heat that dairy farms in Ethiopia may experience.
- Physical conditions in a cow dairy farm including insufficient sanitation, overcrowding and
excessive standing may cause fatigue and stress.
Additional possible causes for low milk production:
Besides the above mentioned causes of low milk production, we would like to draw attention to two
additional less commonly known causes:
Inadequate rest: Some researchers suggest that milk production rises when cows lay down
because of increased blood flow compared to when they are standing.
However, this theory has not been proven, and it may be more likely that all cows, regardless of
yield, require a minimum period of rest. It is quite likely that the true cost of failing to provide cows
with the proper conditions for rest may cause an increase in lameness, which has a significant
impact on milk production.