Low Milk Prices Research Articles

Productive and reproductive performances of buffaloes in Bhola district of Bangladesh

This study aimed to evaluate the productive and reproductive performance of buffaloes across five sub-districts (Burhanuddin, Lalmohan, Char Fasson, Bhola Sadar, and Tazumuddin) in the Bhola district of Bangladesh. A face-to-face survey was conducted with 309 buffalo farmers. Daily milk yield ranged from 1.2 to 4.3 liters/cow/day, with over 90% of farmers selling to Goalas (local milk collectors) at BDT 87±22/liter. Lower milk prices were often reported due to pre-arranged advance loans from milkmen. Significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in milk yield across lactation stages, with the highest yields (2.9–3.9 L/day/buffalo) during the first 90 days. Most farmers (82%) relied solely on grazing in the Bathan system, without supplemental concentrate feed. Reproductive parameters showed significant variation (p < 0.05) across the sub-districts, with Lalmohan having the lowest age at sexual maturity (2.98±0.08 years) and the shortest postpartum heat period (57.1±13.62 days). Bhola Sadar had the shortest calving intervals (11.92±0.43 months) and gestation periods (297.10±6.97 days). Burhanuddin had the lowest number of services per conception (1.46±0.50). To improve buffalo farming outcomes, it is decisive to establish local cooperatives for fair milk pricing, introduce supplemental feeding, enhance access to breeding resources, and bolster financial support, educational programs, and infrastructure. Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science 53(3): 111-120, 2024

Perceived Constraints and Strategic Recommendations by Commercial Dairy Farmers in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India

The present study was undertaken to find out the constraints faced by the commercial dairy farmers in adoption of advance dairy production practices. The Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh was specifically chosen for the study because it is regarded as a centre for commercial dairy farmers and has a well-established infrastructure for the development of the dairy industry. The sample consisted of 203 responders in total. The research findings revealed that the main constraints mentioned by commercial dairy farmers were the unavailability of green fodder year-round, low conception rates through artificial insemination, high cost of veterinary treatment, and low milk prices relative to production costs. Farmers suggest solutions such as increasing milk prices in proportion to feed and service costs, standardize labour costs, reducing feed material costs, and improving access to veterinary services and innovative technologies. Providing suitable solutions can improve dairy farming practices, enhance productivity, and support the economic well-being of dairy farmers

Fair Trade factory farms: a false solution to a real problem

The dairy industry is in crisis in countries throughout the world. Rising industrialization in the sector coupled with corporate consolidation is harming small-scale farmers. Indeed, low milk prices and control over regional processing benefits processors and brands, who gain profits even as farmers and farmworkers suffer. Around the globe, various initiatives have endeavoured to address the issues facing dairy production through a Fair Trade lens. This article briefly surveys these initiatives and then examines in depth a new ‘Fair Trade dairy’ label recently released by Fair Trade USA that has been developed and piloted with Chobani and Dairy Farmers of America. This article examines the particulars of that standard as well as posing the question whether the values and principles of Fair Trade are even applicable to industrial animal agriculture.

Exploring animal husbandry in smallholder dairy systems in Ethiopia using photovoice

This study uses photovoice to explore smallholder dairy farmers’ husbandry knowledge and practices and document how they address constraints faced in pursuing their livelihood strategy. Currently, there is a paucity of farmer-led research in Ethiopia which captures farmers’ local knowledge and lived experiences.This study was conducted in April and May 2021 in Kaliti, a sub-city of Addis Ababa, and Holeta, located near Addis Ababa, in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. Farmers were selected through purposive and snowball sampling approaches based on their previous participation in a bovine tuberculosis study. Farmers selection was based on their experience in dairy farming and willingness to attend research-related meetings and to engage in photo-taking and subsequent group discussions. Farmers were trained on the use of the digital camera and asked to take pictures of their day-to-day activities, challenges faced in pursuing dairy production and how they overcome these challenges.The pictures taken by farmers indicated their attachment to their cattle, cattle disease symptoms, manure management, pest control practices, cattle housing, feeding practices, milking hygiene and storage. Discussions revealed that husbandry challenges faced stemmed from land-use change, declining farm sizes, poor access to veterinary and animal health services, low milk prices and high cattle feed prices. Farmers explained that they had developed knowledge of cattle nutrition, such as feed ration mixing and ways to deal with manure problems. The results of this study underscore that farmers have a good understanding of husbandry challenges and, additionally, have a wealth of local knowledge which can be leveraged, if captured through participatory and visual research methods, such as photovoice, by policymakers to develop context-aware policies and interventions and recommendations regarding improved practices which are economically viable, and socially and culturally acceptable.

Constraints of buffalo farming in Kallakurichi district of Tamil Nadu, India

A study was conducted to identify the constraints perceived by the buffalo farmers in Kallakurichi district of Tamil Nadu. For this study, data were collected from the randomly selected buffalo farmers by using a structured interview schedule. The present study indicated that the major constraints faced by buffalo dairy farmers were high cost of concentrates (63.82% Garrett score), followed by high capital investment in animal housing (53.64% Garrett score), Low conception rate (58.92% Garrett score) repeat breeding (60.20% Garrett score), lower milk price 64.34% Garrett score), Unavailability of credit facilities from government side (50.80% Garrett score), high cost involved in veterinary care (56.28% Garrett score) and reproductive disorders (48.70% Garrett score).

Farmers’ perceptions of major challenges to smallholder dairy farming in selected towns of Jimma Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia: possible influences, impacts, coping strategies and support required

Peri urban and urban small-scale dairy farming is playing a vital role in improving household income, nutrition, food security and employment for low income households in Ethiopia. However, it has been unable to meet the expected demand due to various production constraints. Thus, this study aimed to assess the farmers’ perception of major challenges of smallholder dairy production, possible causes, coping strategies and support needed in selected towns of Jimma Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Data were collected from 52 randomly selected dairy farmers using a semi-structured questionnaire. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to assess responses to questions in the survey. The results revealed that the main reason for dairy farming was milk production primarily for household consumption. Majority of respondents acquired their crossbred cows through purchases. The effect of demographic characteristics of respondents on herd size and milk yield showed no significant difference (p > 0.05). However, there was a tendency for male respondents with university education and retired to own larger herd size (9.33 ± 1.33 and 8.00 ± 4.00) and higher milk yield (8.67 ± 2.67 and 4.50 ± 3.50 L) per cow per day. Feed scarcity (weighted mean index value = 0.371), lack of land (x̄ = 0.311), diseases (x̄ = 0.077), lack of improved genotypes (x̄ = 0.061), lack of credit (x̄ = 0.058), low productivity (x̄ = 0.036), lack of or inefficient artificial insemination (x̄ = 0.034), low milk prices (x̄ = 0.025), labour shortages (x̄ = 0.023), and water scarcity (x̄ = 0.004) were perceived as the major challenges of dairy farming. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that proper planning and implementation of appropriate institutional, technical, and technological interventions in an integrated approach with multiple stakeholders and dairy farmers would be essential to overcome the identified constraints of dairy production and to improve food security of dairy farmers in the study area.

Trade credit and agricultural commodity prices: evidence from the us dairy industry

AbstractFinancing provided by suppliers or trade credit is a major source of short-term finance. Using a long-term panel data set of Northeast US dairy producers, we find a negative relationship between trade credit use and milk price. Additionally, regional dairy feed manufacturers reported that, in a period of low milk prices, past due trade credit accumulated to 10 per cent of industry sales or approximately 100 million dollars. Both estimates suggest the possibility of producer default risk spreading through the dairy industry. Trade credit is often not publicly reported, hence financial regulators and policymakers may have difficulty observing this default risk.

Garrett scoring technique for assessing the constraints faced by dairy farmers of Madhepura district, Bihar

The present investigation is entitled as Garrett scoring technique for assessing the constraints faced by dairy farmers of Madhepura district, Bihar. The primary data were collected from 120 cooperative farmers through the random sampling method. During the study, various constraints under economics and marketing of milk were evaluated as per the response of sample dairy farmers of the study area. Major economic constraints recognised among the group of sample farmers were higher cost of cattle feed, easy availability of veterinary facilities, high cost of the improved animal, while major marketing constraints were low price of milk, lack of suitable transportation, delay in getting milk price. It was also found that the number of dairy farmers decreased in the cooperative milk collection centre with the increase of distance. There was also scope for reduction in the cost of milk production by using modern methods and technologies of dairy farming that was completely absent in the study area.

Low Price of Fresh Milk and its Implications in Peruvian Family Farming

The dairy activity in Peru is being affected by the low prices in the purchase of fresh milk, discouraging the producers of family agriculture, which has forced them to take a position of social struggle and sell head of cattle to continue sustaining the family economy. This situation directly affects the main producing areas, located within the dairy basin of the departments of Cajamarca, Arequipa, and Lima, which represents 51.7% of the national production of fresh milk that is collected by three large dairy companies and formal and informal artisanal processors. The different purchase and sale channels have generated vulnerability in the price that small and medium producers receive today for fresh milk, which in the last ten years has been lower than international prices. Moreover, the industry is under a tax regulatory framework that has given it market advantages, generating disparity in terms of the benefits of Peruvian dairy producers in addition to the structural limitations that do not allow improving their performance. Therefore, it is expected and recommended that the Peruvian government fulfill a regulatory and articulating role within the system, generating policies, plans, workshops, among others, in order to improve the articulation and performance of the system for the benefit of families that call for state intervention to improve their living conditions and economic stability.

Challenges and Opportunities of the Mediterranean Indigenous Bovine Populations: Analysis of the Different Production Systems in Algeria, Greece, and Tunisia

The indigenous cattle populations are threatened by extinction in many countries of the Mediterranean area. The objective of this study is the analysis of local cattle breeds’ production systems in Algeria, Greece, and Tunisia and the identification of their future challenges and opportunities. A total of 385 surveys were conducted in these study areas: central and northern Greece (43); northern and northwestern Tunisia (167), and northeastern Algeria (175). Data collected concerned socio-economic parameters as well as the production system’s functionality, constraints, and opportunities. Results revealed an average farmers’ age of 52.6 years old. The illiteracy rate is high, especially in Algeria (39%) and Tunisia (44%), where the farm size is relatively small with an average of 14 and four animals per farm, respectively. In Greece, much higher numbers were recorded (89 animals/farm). The average cultivated feedstuffs’ area is larger in Greece (12.07 ha) and smaller in Algeria and Tunisia (6.11 and 2.88 ha, respectively). Feeding resources are based on rangelands. Farming systems are traditional extensive and complemented when needed. Milk and meat marketing vary throughout countries and are not well valorized. The main constraints are high feeding costs, low milk and meat prices, and absence of labeling. Local and local-crossbred bovine populations could be valorized based on their good adaptation criteria when applying convenient genetic and development strategies.

Challenges to Overcome by the Members of the NARMUL Dairy Cooperative

Dairy cooperatives have played an important role in improving the economy of small milk producers’ households in different regions of India. Telangana is one amongst them, which is predominantly an agricultural state with an excellent potential for milk production. The study was conducted to analyze the constraints faced by dairy farmers of Yadadri- Bhongir district of Telangana. The study data was collected during March-April 2021 from 90 milk producers of NARMUL co-operative in Yadadri-Bhuvangiri district of the state. Low procurement price of milk, Lack of disease control programs, No Bonus, Lack of milk testing & animal screening facilities, Irregular visits of Veterinary staff were considered as the most serious constraints where as, Unavailability of first aid services and lack of sufficient supply of vaccines to the animals, Non availability of loan facilities, Lack of artificial insemination (A.I.) facilities in/around the village, Inadequate supply of feed and mineral mixture were considered as the least serious constraints.

Is Sustainability Key to Become More Resilient After the COVID-19 Pandemic? The PA Farmer Case

During the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses are dealing with worker safety, reduced sales, supply chain disruption, among many other challenges. Their managers might think to shift their attention to survival, especially when operating in a highly uncertain industry. This research suggests that there is no better time to reinforce investments in sustainability practices. Firms that manage diverse stakeholder tradeoffs and short-term and long-term pressures become more equipped to be more resilient in the long run. Evidence from dairy industry supports this thesis. Dairy farmers have struggled to meet break-even points due to trade disputes, low milk prices, and a decline in milk consumption in the last few years. COVID-19 has brought significant new challenges to them as many were asked to dump milk and curtail production levels, straining their weak financial position. Using a sample of 587 Pennsylvania dairy farmers, the findings show that farmers who have invested in environmental, labor, and animal welfare practices are more likely to (a) continue their operations and (b) implement an emergency plan. Interestingly, large and women-owned farmers seem the ones to benefit more from these investments, suggesting that tailored programs to these groups are needed. This research provides some important implications for public policy makers, co-operatives, and dairy farmers.

Dairy Woes in Wisconsin: What about the Amish?

Wisconsin has steadily lost dairy farms for decades, yet the number of Amish dairy herds grew both numerically and proportionately into early 2018. Facing low milk prices, the overall rate of loss of dairy farms in Wisconsin accelerated since then. During 2019, the state lost over 1% of its dairy herds monthly, losing two to three herds daily. The expansion of Amish dairying also ended. Between April 1, 2018, when Wisconsin had 1,160 Amish dairy herds or 12.9% of the state's total, and November 1, 2019, the state lost 165 Amish herds. Losses are continuing.This paper focuses on the impact of the departure of many Amish farms from dairying, relying on examination of dairy producer licenses and a survey of bishops and ministers in Wisconsin's Amish church districts. The loss of Amish herds of dairy cows is greater than the overall departure of the Amish from dairying, inasmuch as the Amish have nearly doubled their milk goat herds over the past five years. Those settlements producing milk transported in cans have been more likely to leave dairying unless their community operates its own cheese factory. Yet dairying is declining in most Amish communities, other than in several recently established settlements. Expanding involvement in growing produce and in woodworking were seen.

Factors Determining the Smallholder Milk Producers Participation in Contractual Agreements: The Case of North-West Bangladesh

Contract farming plays a significant role by establishing a bridge in order to link the milk farmers to market. The study aimed to state current institutional arrangement of dairy sector in Bangladesh. By using simple random sampling, a total of 90 (45 contract and 45without contract) dairy farmers from Chatmohar Upazila of Pabna District were interviewed. For determining the factor of farmers willingness to participate into contractual system was analyzed by conducting factor analysis. The highest factor loadings for the first dimension were found for the stable milk output price and access to training on dairy farming while timely payment for output has relatively factor loading on second dimension as well as the access to good quality inputs (drugs and feeds) higher in third dimension respectively. The most important reasons for unwillingness to participate in contract farming were under weighing of fat, lower milk price than the market price, distance to the location of milk collection centers, sell at home, rules and regulations of PRAN Dairy Ltd., & availability of dairy farmers etc. The result clearly shows that contract farming has the potential of raising income of the smallholder dairy farmers. It benefited the farmers through reducing different input costs and other relative costs related to dairy farming, which may be more in the informal markets or without contract arrangement. In addition, contract farming contributes for improving the income of dairy farm and reducing production costs by providing different services and technical advice by the contract firms.

Is it possible to predict milk processing into butter using infrared spectroscopy?

Description of the subject. Given the current low price of milk, a lot of producers have decided to process their milk into products with a higher added-value, including butter. However, all milks are not suitable to be transformed into butter. It would thus be useful to be able to predict milk processing properties. Objectives. The aim of this paper was to study the ability of milk to be processed into butter using infrared spectrophotometry. Method. A normalized protocol for the production of butter was developed. Milk samples (n = 110) collected between 2013 and 2016 were analyzed by near and medium infrared spectrometry (315 spectra). Butter samples were also analyzed by visible-near infrared spectrometry (220 spectra). Composition of the products was subsequently assessed using validated prediction equations. Principal components analyses were performed to discriminate samples. Results. Butter properties seemed to be influenced by seasons and feedings. Water content and color parameters could be predicted on the basis of butter infrared spectra. Conclusions. It was possible to correlate butter characteristics with milk properties. However, it was not possible to predict butter characteristics on the basis of milk near infrared spectra. It could be interesting to try predictions from milk medium infrared spectra.

Evaluation of Dairy Cattle Productivity in Smallholder Farms in Nyeri County, Kenya

Dairy cattle production contributes approximately 4.5% of the Kenyan National Gross Domestic Product, creates jobs along the value chain and plays a key role in food security. However, average milk yield per cow is still low under smallholder dairy production system despite concerted efforts to improve productivity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the productivity of smallholder dairy farms in 2 sub-counties of Nyeri County. A semi structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on feed resources and feeding systems, breeds and breeding systems, calf management, age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), milk yield (MY) and lactation length (LL) in smallholder dairy farms. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The dominant feed resources and feeding system were roughages (mostly Napier grass), concentrates and mineral supplements (87.2%) and stall feeding (74.2%). Majority of the farmers kept Friesians (82.2%) with (94.5%) using artificial insemination. Most of the farmers (83.5%) fed 2-4 litres of colostrum to the calves and the method of feeding was majorly bucket feeding (93.0%). High proportion of farmers (97.7%) fed the colostrum from 0-6 hours after calving and (59.6%) weaned calves at 3 months. The AFS was mainly 18-20 months and above, while the mean AFC, CI, and LL were 28.7±2.84, 15.2±5.11 and 10.0±4.90 months, respectively. The mean milk yield was 10.7±5.85 litres/cow/day. The main challenges to dairy cattle production were feed shortages (30.6%), low farmgate milk prices (28.3%) and high cost of concentrate feeds (17.8%). It was concluded that performance of dairy cattle in the study area was poor attributed mostly to feed shortages and low milk prices. To improve productivity, feed availability and cost together with farmgate price of milk should be addressed.

Constraints faced by the dairy farmers in production and marketing of milk in northern dry zone of Karnataka

The present study investigated production and marketing related constraints of dairy farming practice in Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka. The study covered 240 sample households selected randomly from four districts of Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka. About 66 per cent of dairy farmers belongs to marginal (32.50%) and small (33.75%) category. The study also revealed that the 93.75 per cent, 91.66 per cent and 87.91 per cent dairy farmers were facing high cost of feed and fodder, non-availability of quality feed round the year and susceptibility of crossbred animals to disease were the major production related problem, respectively. It was also noted that, the distant location of milk collection center (96%), low price of milk (92.50%), inadequate availability of regular market (91.25%), spoilage of milk due to poor hygiene and storage problem while carrying milk to procurement centre (83.33%) were the major constraints in marketing of milk. Thus efforts should be focused on making availability of quality feed round the year along with the improvement of marketing infrasture is win-win situation for development of dairy sector in the Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka.

Innovation Uncertainty Impacts the Adoption of Smarter Farming Approaches

There are increasing opportunities to use smart farming technologies for improved management of farming systems. However, there is limited understanding of how the potential can be translated into effective use in the farming sector. Previous studies have highlighted the role that uncertainty plays in technological innovation systems. In this paper, we present the results of an international survey investigating the impact of innovation uncertainty on adoption of a smart farming technology, automatic milking systems (AMS). The objective of this study was to review adoption of automatic milking systems internationally and propose lessons for developing institutional knowledge and effective networks of practice in emerging smart farming innovation systems. We used an online survey of AMS experts globally and received 81 completed survey responses. The main countries represented were Canada, The Netherlands, USA, Denmark, and the UK. Respondents identified a range of adoption trends in their country and some of the reasons behind these adoption profiles were: suppression of uptake due to low milk prices, financial markets, and issues with early installations and perceptions of these issues by other farmers. In terms of the impact of uncertainty, technological uncertainty was historically an important issue around the early development of AMS, with decommissioning occurring in some cases due to perceived technology issues. Political uncertainty also impacted adoption, with implications of food safety regulations or rules around herd testing systems. Our study highlighted the potential impact of negative experiences associated with new technologies from farmers who struggle with the adaptation process as such occurrences may act to stall the uptake of smart farming technologies. If public policy organisations are to realise the desired impacts of smart farming technology, there needs to be greater focus on understanding where (and which) technologies can have an actual impact on farm as opposed to technologies that only create greater farmer distrust and uncertainty. Our study highlights that to reduce uncertainty with emerging smart technologies, greater public and private R&D collaboration is required to foster knowledge development and exchange.

Existing dairy buffalo production system under intensive condition in drought prone Dinajpur district of Bangladesh

An attempt was made to study the existing production and management system under intensive buffalo farming at Dinajpur district, a drought area of Bangladesh. Thirty two farmers were selected for this study. Direct interview with farmers, farm observation, community discussions and key informant interview (KII) were carried out to achieve the study. Two types of intensive system were found, namely – household yard (HYI) and completely intensive (CI). It was observed that in HYI system during the day time the animals were kept in yard and in confinement at night. On the contrary, animals were always remained in the shed under CI system. Feeding practice and utilization of feed resources were found different in HYI and CI farming. Showering of dairy buffaloes was observed as common practices in both production systems. All productive e.g. milk yield, lactation yield, lactation length and dry period and reproductive traits e.g. service per conception, age at first pregnancy, age at first calving and post/partum heat period under CI production system were found significantly (p≤0.05) better than that of the HYI systems. Significantly (p≤0.05) higher total solids and fat were found in milk from CI system compared to the HYI system, but in case of protein it was opposite. Natural breeding showed as more prominent practice than that of the artificial insemination in both farming systems. All the farmers practiced colostrum feeding and the calf mortality ranges from 7-8%. Regarding the primary health care, CI farmers were found to be more attentive than the HYI farmers. Most of the buffaloes showed heat from early night to early morning (78.7%). Problem matrix revealed that the top ranked order of problems were “inadequate knowledge”, “high price of feed” and “low milk price”. However, both systems were found as a profitable venture (benefit cost ratio1.33 in HYI and 1.25 in CI).
 Bangladesh J. of Livestock Res. 21-25: 103-117, 2018

Factors Affecting the Demand for Milk and Dairy Products in the Slovak Republic

Paper is aimed at dairy sector in the Slovak Republic with an emphasis on identifying the determinants causing low demand for milk and dairy products. The primary objective is to identify consumer behavior and the main factors affecting consumer choices in choosing milk and dairy products. The primary source of information is created by the results of consumer survey proving the consumption of milk and dairy products is widespread among consumers, with cheese and yoghurt as the most preferred ones. The results of the consumer survey were confronted with a survey aimed at identifying the views of producers and processors of milk and dairy products. We identified the main issues, particularly the low redemption price of milk, lack of milk consumption and the absence of sales support.