Page 226 - Agriculture_Form_Three

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Chapter

Ten

Dairy farming

Introduction
Dairy farming in Tanzania is growing as the demand for milk increases with
increase in population. It is dominated by small scale farmers in most of the regions.
In this chapter, you will learn about the concept of dairy farming, dairy farming
systems, management of dairy cattle and dairy goats, milking management, milk
market and factors affecting milk yield and quality. The competencies developed
from this chapter will enable you to apply good managerial skills in carrying out
dairy enterprise to maximise profits.

The concept of dairy farming

Dairy farming is the keeping of livestock purposely for milk production. Livestock
reared for milk production include cattle, goats, water buffaloes and camels. Animals
that are kept specifically for milk production are called dairy animals. In Tanzania,
most of the milk is obtained from cattle. Recalling what you have learnt in Form
One, examples of dairy cattle breeds are Friesian, Ayrshire, Jersey, Guernsey, and
Brown Swiss. In Tanzania, breeds such as Mpwapwa, Sahiwal and Zebu are used
for producing milk, however, they are not specifically for dairying. Some of the
common dairy goat breeds are Saanen, Alpine, Toggenburg, Anglo-nubian and
Norwegian breed. Figures 10.1 (a) to (f) show some of these breeds. However, most
of the dairy animals in Tanzania are crossbred.

Figure 10.1 (a): Mpwapwa breed cow Figure 10.1 (b): Friesian breed cow

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