For organic dairy farmers?

Question

I have a farm here in Uganda(30 acres) in the northern part. With 20 cows. I want to shift to organic dairy farming. But the cows produce very little milk and they are skinny. I think its because there is little grass. Does anyone know which type of grass increases milk yields?

Answer 1

Hi!

I must admit straight away I know nothing of the ecology or climatic conditions which exist in your part of the world. However, I can offer the following advice which is most likely applicable to anywhere on the earth.

I'd strongly suggest that you get hold of a book called The Permaculture Designer's Manual by a wonderful Australian character by the name of Bill Mollison. The book is thick and full of incredibly good ecologically sound advice for anywhere in the world. "Permaculture" is the term given to a system of organic farming which Bill designed a good number of years ago - it's short for "Permanent Agriculture"

I think what you may be better looking at is the amount of nutrients in the soil, rather than the grass that is growing - or lack thereof in your case! From my ecologically-based point of view, if you increase the productive capacity of the soil by judicious applications of the right fertiliser you're going to be able to grow a heap of grass of any kind for your beasties and thereby increase your output.

The trick is - and if you want to go Organic, my hat is off to you - to find the right mix of manures which will go with your soils there. What I've used successfully here in Australia to get the best veges growing is a combination of mushroom compost (which is severely rotted hay and cow p**p - both of which you've likely got in abundance!) and worm castings. "Castings" is the liquid which comes from a worm farm and is ultra-high in soil microorganisms and other really beneficial things...I have NO idea where you'd get them in your country but if you want to look for them, you have to remember that they're special Compost worms - not the normal ones you find in the soil.

There's also the possibility of using composted human waste - and I'm serious here! There's a growing movement across the world towards the installation and use of waterless toilets which produce an incredibly good compost after a year or so...I've provided an international website link, so have a look if you so desire!

Good luck!

Love and Light,

Jarrah

Answer 2

For Uganda your choice of grass is very limited. Most grasses that are for milk cows will not last in your climate. I think you will have to do with the grass you got.