Quick guide to set up a cattle farm

There has been rapid global expansion of production and consumption of animal products which is expected to continue to grow.
While traditional livestock systems contribute to the livelihoods of 70 per cent of the world’s rural poor, increasingly the emerging large scale operations with sophisticated technology and international trade cater for the rapidly growing markets for meat and milk.

Livestock production currently accounts for one third of the global crop land which is used to produce feed for animals and competes for land, water, energy and labour which is being challenged by the fancies of climate change and socio economic pressure. The sector according to Food and Agriculture Organisation contribute 40 per cent of the global value of agricultural output and support the livelihoods and food security of more than 1.3 billion people globally.

Dr Halid Kirunda, the director Mbarara Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MBAZARDI), explains that starting a livestock farm depends on the capital you intend to invest and having a wide knowledge on the best practices.

Good breeds

Dr Kirunda explains that for a farmer intending to rare good breeds of cattle, it is important to determine the purpose for producing livestock which in most cases is for dairy and beef production. Dr Kirunda says the following steps must be observed by the farmers to the letter.
• A farmer must determine how many animals can be accommodated on a specific piece of land.

• The different breed recommended for farmers in Uganda are Friesian cattle, Jersey, Ayrshire, Fleckvieh and Brown Swiss.
• A farmer wishing to breed cattle for purposes of obtaining ghee must rear Friesians and Jersey which produce less milk but full of fat.
• A farmer who is targeting much milk production has to go for the rest of the cow breed apart from the two.

• During the breeding process it is important to determine the mating period. The recommended practice is to use a healthy bull and artificial insemination mainly to avoid spread of diseases.
• Farmers must be keen and check when the animals are on heat but there is also the scientific method of inducing animals to come of heat to effect artificial insemination.
• Cows which are on heat usually stand stiff with swollen vulva and virginal discharge ready to be mounted.

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