Prospects for dairy farming in Quynh Luu

(Baonghean.vn) - Thanks to favorable land conditions, in recent years, dairy cows have emerged as a high-income animal for people in mountainous communes; each year, revenue from raising dairy cows reaches nearly 14 billion VND.

This year is the second year that Mr. Nguyen Van Bien's family in hamlet 6 Tien Thanh, Quynh Thang commune has developed dairy farming. Since approaching this new farming target, the family's economy has improved. Mr. Bien said that in 2016, he bought 8 cows for 57 million VND/cow, of which 3 have given milk. Thanks to applying the farming process according to the technical instructions of the cooperative, his family's dairy cows have grown quickly and developed healthily; on average, each day, 3 cows provide more than 60 kg of milk. After deducting expenses, his family earns a profit of nearly 500 thousand VND/day.

From raising 3 milk cows, each month Mr. Nguyen Van Bien's family in Quynh Thang commune (Quynh Luu) earns a profit of 15 million VND. Photo: Viet Hung

“Realizing that dairy farming is economically efficient, my family has now expanded the herd to 13 cows, and by the end of 2018, we expect to have 8 milk cows, increasing our income to more than 2 million VND/day,” Mr. Nguyen Van Bien excitedly shared.

That is also the joy of many other households in Quynh Thang commune when investing in dairy farming. To achieve the results as today, in 2005, the locality organized for a number of households to visit and learn about dairy farming in provinces such as Bac Giang and Phu Tho. Realizing that the local land conditions are very suitable for developing this livestock, after the visit, 13 households bought 50 dairy cows to raise on a trial basis. Up to now, after more than 12 years of approaching dairy farming, the number of households has grown from 13 to 47 households with a total herd of more than 447 cows, of which 194 are milk cows. According to statistics from the households, on average, each day, the herd provides about 3.2 tons of milk; the annual milk output reaches 1,152 tons, with milk prices from 12,000 VND - 14,000 VND/liter, revenue reaches nearly 14 billion VND/year.

Mr. Nguyen Van Manh, a resident in Quynh Thang, invested more than 1 billion VND to buy 10 dairy cows and build barns on high hills. Up to now, after more than 3 years of raising and caring for them, 7 cows have given milk; each day his family collects more than 1.4 quintals of milk, earning a profit of 1.5 million VND. After only 2 years, his family has just sold the breeding cows and milk, which has recouped half of the investment capital.

“Compared to raising other animals, dairy cows bring high economic efficiency. After milking, it only takes 2 hours to import all the milk to the local dairy company,” said Mr. Manh.

Dairy farming in Quynh Luu is developing sustainably, with revenue reaching nearly 14 billion VND/year. Photo: Viet Hung

To improve the quality of dairy farming as well as find outlets for products, Dong Tien Dairy Cooperative was established. The role of the cooperative is to find outlets for products, provide scientific and technical training, and guide members on how to raise dairy cows to improve efficiency. Currently, Dong Tien Dairy Cooperative has signed a long-term contract with Vinamilk Dairy Company, with a purchasing point located in Quynh Thang Commune. Stable output and high purchasing prices have helped people feel secure in raising dairy cows.

With the current development and increase in the total number of dairy cows in Quynh Luu, environmental pollution is also a problem. Therefore, Quynh Luu district has directed communes raising dairy cows to propagate to households that they need to comply with hygiene procedures. Mr. Le Van Nga - Chairman of Quynh Thang Commune People's Committee said that the locality requires households raising large numbers of cows to be located far from residential areas; if households do not have the conditions to move, they need to increase the construction of biogas pits, especially manure must be composted, and water must not be directly poured into the environment.

Dairy farming in Quynh Luu is affirming its sustainability and long-term position; with favorable land conditions and stable output, expanding and developing dairy herds is not difficult. However, during the farming process, localities need to pay attention and help people with farming techniques as well as ensuring environmental hygiene; thereby helping dairy farming in Quynh Luu develop stably, bringing economic benefits to the people./.

Viet Hung