Vet on call: Checklist for setting up a dairy farm
Robert Rono feeds his dairy cows at Tinet Farm in Kuresoi South, Nakuru County. Dairy cattle require lots of feed. An adult cow consumes feed equivalent to 3 per cent of its body weight on dry matter basis.
Farming is not like reading a book, which one can put a pause to for a time and then continue later from where he left off.
It is an ever-evolving engagement where no day looks like the next one. In short, farming is a live activity with a myriad of possibilities every day.
One also needs to look at availability of key inputs especially land, capital and labour. I have already ticked those aspects.
The farm requires a perimeter fence and properly planned paddocks. The paddocks are good for grazing the young stock and dry cattle.
Many readers have asked me over time whether I am a livestock farmer. One farmer even told me I should consider running a farm for one livestock species where both practising and aspiring farmers can visit for lessons.
Well, in my earlier life, there were many factors that made farming unsuitable for me. Therefore, I have always answered in the negative.
