Visit ADC offices and they will give you what type of cows to rear

On another note, I've heard that some farmers inject their cows with a compound that makes their cows artificially seem to produce extra milk. So when a buyer comes for viewing he gets persuaded to purchase the cow.
How do i protect myself from this when making purchases from farmers who may not be well known?
Do i test the milk quality using the available technology?
Do i visit the farm for a few days and see if the milk yield drops?
I heard the effects of the compound wears off within three days

@MunyaoTrader. Welcome to the Club.

I too recently ventured into small-sacle commercial dairy farming, and being a novice, this is the strategy that I have employed.

1. Bought six not very highly priced cows with a mix of milking, soon to deliver and soon to be served cows. My initial investment was approx. 500k for the initial stocks. CAVEAT. Except for commercial farms in the business of breeding and selling high producing cows, ordinary traders will lie to you on production levels. So,if you have cash, go for the commercial farmers, who are pricy but the yields are guaranteed, if you keep the right feeding rations. For me, as a novice I want to learn with mine so I risked and bought from local farmers. Get to know why a farmer is selling before you buy as some would sell the sick, hard-to-conceive etc ones.
2. feeding: I had invested over time in natural grass to provide the dry matter and recently started harvesting it. Also planted some experimental Gadam Sorgum which is fast maturing and good fodder. To get enough milk, I supplement with commercial feeds- pricey and quality not guaranteed. Plans to start making own feeds soon.
3. Management: Like any other investment, dairy farming is a highly professional business. Make sure you get an experienced professional to run the entity. Avoid watu wa mkono to run the place- they will mess you up.
4. Returns: The market for milk is there provided you get enough of it. ironically, cows literally manufacture milk depending on what you feed them with- high value feeds and concentrates- more milk and hence more cash.

For me I am still learning the business and plans to build and improve on my stock over a period- 5 yrs- and have own pedigree and better returns. Target production is 1,000litres, which is possible.

I will keep posting as I learn, in the spirit of wazua.

@munyaotrdaer... that compound you mentioned is known as BST.. Bovinesomatotropin... essentially a synthetic hormone that affects the Pituitary gland of the Cow.. When given, it stimulates the action potential to release prolactin and hence release of milk. BST has been researched since the 1930s.

No traces of BST are seen in drinking milk or any other effects on humans or even the cows themselves.. It is safe!!

It is banned in several countries.. (I dont know why)

In the US and Canada.. about 20% of farmers use it. They see about 10-15% more milk production.

BST is used every 11 days and not 3 days.

It is injected around the Pin area.

It is expensive and that is why most people do not use it. Some farmers will only use in a few prolific milk producing cows.

Only one Farmer in Kenya i know uses it.

It is legal to use in Kenya.

Down the road if you set your project in a roll.. and you want it.. i can advise you on where to get it.

Again all the best!!

Good advise from @danwoods..in machakos theres also makamithi who runs an agrovet in town;same league as the fellows above mentioned.I thought Muambi rears meat breeds.No?

@Gathige

Also interested in more details;

1. How did you utilise your capital
2. How much did the unit cost
3. How much per cow, and from where. Transport?
4. How much land are you using to grow cattle feed
5. How many employees do you have?
6. How do you monitor, what records do you maintain
7. What are your monthly costs
8. Whats the progress so far
9. Common pitfalls to be avoided?

Thanks

Congrats on my behalf and other Wazuans.......this is the analysis that we would love to see frequently. Statements followed by calculations based on real data. Thanks.

@MunyaoTrader,
Nice feedback!Did you get the heifers from the ADC farm?
When do you see yourself getting the ROI?

@FRM2011, how do you handle kanjo manenos in Kamulu?

@Obi 1 Kanobi,

1. How did you utilise your capital
Cows- 1.2m, for 14 cows ( a mix of milkers, calves and served heifers)- now the best in terms of initial production but improving on them. All sourced from Ngong from Njabini. Initial production was low, but now improving.
2. How much did the unit cost: I have a temporary shed with a capacity of 14 cows at a cost of 150k. Floor area made of well arranged hard masonary stones, sleeping area made of murram and saw dust topping and normal mabati roof. Plans to put a permanent structure later from the returns
3. How much per cow, and from where. Transport? Cost of cows btwn 85-120k, depending on production and growth stage. Sourved from Ngong and Njabini
4. How much land are you using to grow cattle feed. My land is approx 15 acres with enough grass. Substituting with hay locally sourced at 200 Kshs a bale
5. How many employees do you have? 2 employees at the dairy unit and 1 at the grass farm
6. How do you monitor, what records do you maintain. I have a normal diary for the dairy unit with workers filling any daily details- milk production, AI, feeds used etc. At the end of the week i summarise the data in excel on my comp for review,
7. What are your monthly costs- Labour- 31k, feeds and supplements 30k, AI, Drugs etc 10k
8. Whats the progress so far. The initial stock is improving and sales picking up. Loss at the moment and hoping to break even in the next three months
9. Common pitfalls to be avoided?
Farming as an enterprise has many challenges, moreso dairying. Some challenges

i. getting good initial stock is a challenge. Hard to tell a good cow when buying as most farmers either sell when culling or sick stock. Two of my cows have aborted meaning the seller had a bad history with them. At the moment treating them as they have potential to be good breeds.
ii. Getting the right commercial feed . Most feeds in the market are poor quality at a high cost. Hoping to start formulating own feeds soon and sourcing for raw materials.
iii. labour: In this biz, workers are the kings. dairying si labour intensive, esp cleaning, milking and feeding. Luckily, i have a dedicated worker at the farm, who has a passion for the job.

Still learning and hopefully, i will get own pedigree from my parent stock in 3-5yrs.