Small-scale Dairy Research Articles

Readily Available Water Access is Associated with Greater Milk Production in Grazing Dairy Herds.

Simple SummaryIn Santa Catarina, Brazil, most milk is produced on small-scale farms that utilize grazing as the main form of nutrition; however, the farms differ in how they provide water for their herds, with some herds not providing access to drinking water while on pasture and other herds having unrestricted access to water. In this study, we assessed the milk production on farms that differ in the way drinking water is provided to the herd. Herds with unrestricted access to drinking water produced more milk than herds that had restricted access to drinking water, regardless of the main breed of the herd, and amount of concentrate offered per cow per day. Simple changes in water management practices may positively impact milk production.In this cross-sectional study, we measured the association between water provision and milk production on intensively managed small-scale grazing dairy herds. Farms (n = 53) were categorized according to water provision as follows: (1) Restricted—cows did not have access to a water trough while on pasture; and (2) Unrestricted—cows had free access to a water trough while on pasture. Herd main breed and feeding practices were included in a model to assess the effect of water provision category on farm average milk yield/cow/d. The effect of pasture condition and environmental variables on milk production were also assessed, however were not retained on the final model. Herds provided with unrestricted access to drinking water produced on average 1.7 L more milk per cow/d (p = 0.03) than herds with restricted access to drinking water. Predominantly Holstein herds produced 2.8 L more milk per cow/d (p < 0.01) than non-Holstein herds. Each extra kg of concentrate offered per day increased milk yield by 1.1 L/cow/d (p < 0.01). In conclusion, providing free access to drinking water while grazing was associated with greater milk production.

Nitrogen utilisation efficiency in small-scale dairy systems in the highlands of Central Mexico.

Nitrogen (N) plays an important role in small-scale dairy systems, both in production costs and as an indicator of environmental impact. The objective of this study was to quantify nitrogen inputs and outputs to identify areas for improvement in nitrogen utilisation efficiency (NUE). Evaluation was in 12 small-scale dairy farms with different feeding strategies. Six followed the traditional cut and carry of irrigated temperate pastures (CUT), and six have implemented grazing of pastures (GRZ), quantifying N inputs and outputs from May 2016 to April 2017. Data were analysed by ANOVA following a split-plot model with season (rainy or dry) as main plots and feeding strategy (CUT or GRZ) as split-plots, with results in kilograms N per hectare and kilograms N per cow. There were differences (P< 0.05) between seasons and strategies in N inputs from purchased N fertilisers and purchased feeds as concentrates and roughages, showing different N inputs and outputs whether in CUT or GRZ strategies. There were also significant interactions between seasons and strategies as in the sale of animals, where GRZ sell throughout the year, while CUT sell at the beginning of the dry season. N balance ranged from 33.9 to 183.0kg N/ha, and 37.8 to 111.0 as kilograms N per cow with an interaction (P< 0.05) between season and strategies. There was a larger N surplus in GRZ during the rainy season from fertiliser inputs, which reduced N utilisation efficiency (NUE). Mean NUE in kilograms N per hectare and kilograms N per cow was 19%, with the higher efficiency for GRZ in the dry season. Farms with the best NUE had lower use of fertilisers and purchased feeds.

Isolation and characterization of E. coli strains causing intramammary infections from dairy animals and wild birds

ABSTRACTThe study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in sub-clinically mastitic (SCM) animals, and in wild and migratory birds which may act as reservoir disseminating such pathogen. Farm hygiene, management and milking procedures were listed through a questionnaire. Thirty lactating cows and 15 lactating buffaloes from five small-scale dairy farms were randomly selected and screened for subclinical mastitis (SCM) using California Mastitis Test (CMT) and somatic cell count (SCC). In addition, 80 teat skin swabs, 5 drinking water samples and 38 wild and migratory bird faecal matter were also collected. All samples were processed for E. coli isolation by culturing on Levine’s Eosin Methylene Blue (L-EMB) agar, followed by purification and biochemical identification. Positive samples were subjected to molecular identification and serotyping. In addition, the presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing E. coli have been reported by antimicrobial sensitivity testing. Escherichia coli were isolated from 7.7%, 50% and 50% of the positive CMT cows’ quarters, cows’ composite and buffaloes’ composite milk samples, respectively. In addition, 14% of cows’ teats, 20% of water samples, 70% of faecal matter from wild bird, and 33.3% of faecal matter from migratory waterfowls were carrying E. coli. Serotyping, antibiotic-resistant pattern and phylogenetic analysis have pointed the bearable implication of milking hygiene and wild birds in disseminating E. coli strains causing intramammary infections.

Economic characteristics of sour cream production in small-scale dairy processors in Serbia

In Serbia small family households dominate in milk production, while large-scale capacity dairies dominate in milk processing. There are over 200 dairy processing plants, and currently they manufacture about 80% of all dairy products. In this race small-scale dairies are lagging behind. The aim of this paper is to investigate economic characteristics of processing milk into sour cream in small scale dairy processors in Serbia. The research showed that the cost price of sour cream with a minimum of 20% milk fat is 68.96 RSD/kg. The largest share in total costs has costs of raw material account for 44.11% and labor costs for 38.79%, while the remaining costs are packaging, transport and other overheads. In order for small-scale capacity dairies to compete with larger-scale capacity dairies, both in product quality and price, it is necessary to continuously monitor and minimize production costs.

A Participatory Systems Mapping (PSM) based approach towards analysis of business sustainability of rural Indian milk dairies

Drawing from the theories of Participatory Systems Mapping (PSM) this study presents an approach to analysing the business sustainability of entrepreneurial dairy ventures in India. The article begins with a general introduction to the small and medium scale dairy ventures in rural India, highlighting the prominent issues and challenges faced by the stakeholders. The second part demonstrates the use of the PSM framework in developing the Stock and flow diagram (SFD). Further, data from a local milk dairy is collected, and simulations are carried out between 2017–2025 using Vensim®. The outputs are analysed, and inferences are made. This study is expected to enable the policy makers towards the development of sustainable strategies for dairy businesses in general and enable the entrepreneur to analyse the future trends of the potential strategies under his consideration

Selection Criteria for Holstein Friesian and Crossbreed Dairy Cattle Objective Traits in Ethiopia

There was no research regarding selection criteria for the economically relevant dairy cattle objective traits in Ethiopia. Therefore, the goal of this paper was to determine the selection criteria for Holstein Friesian and crossbreed dairy cattle economically relevant traits. The research was based on 236 respondents of large, medium and small scale dairy farms from Dire-Dawa, Harar, Bishoftu, Holeta agricultural research center and Mekele. Data were analyzed using statistical analysis software and traits preferences were ranked by calculating index values with the principle of weighted average. For Holstein Friesian preducers, the most preferred breeds were pure Holstein Friesian, Holstein Friesian crossbreeds and local cattle breeds with an overall index value of 0.47, 0.36, and 0.13, respectively. Similarly for crossbreed producers, pure Holstein Friesian (0.46), Holstein Friesian crossbreed (0.37) and local cattle (0.15), respectively, were their main breed preferred. In the present study, both Holstein Friesian and crossbreed producers were used milk yield (0.61, and 0.64) and milk yield composition (0.39, and 0.34), as the main preferred selection criteria for milk composition, respectively. On the other situations, age at first calving (0.45, and 0.39), age at first service (0.38, and 0.37), and service per conception (0.08, and 0.17), were the preferred selection criteria for economically relevant reproduction traits both for Holstein Friesian and crossbreed, respectively.

Biaya Transaksi Eksplisit dan Implisit dalam Usaha Ternak Sapi Perah di Kabupaten Bandung Barat

The dairy farm in Indonesia are dominated by small-scale farms causing it is difficult to obtain access to market information and raises transaction costs in the provision of fodder, the production process and the sale of milk produced. However, transaction costs tend to be hidden and neglected by the farmer while it can affect the farm profit. The objective of this research was to analyze and calculate the transaction costs faced by dairy farmers, either explicit or implicit transaction costs, using Transaction Cost Analysis (TCA). This research was conducted at West Bandung District and classifying samples based on the scale and the membership in cooperative institutions. The explicit transaction cost include membership fee, the pulses, tips for paramedics, security costs, and sanitation cost of Cooperatives Service Location (TPK). The Implicit transaction cost include information cost due to the price differences of tofu and cassava pulp and the opportunity cost of time in obtaining of feed and marketing the milk. The implicit transaction costs that were payed by the farmer were higher than the explicit transaction cost. Information cost component had the highest proportion of total transaction cost with the percentage of 41.65% in cooperative members and 48.16% in non-cooperation members. The small-scale dairy farmers paid higher transaction cost because transaction cost was a fixed cost. Based on institutional, the transaction cost paid by the cooperation members was lower than that paid by the non-cooperation members even though the difference was not significant. The difference in transaction cost only IDR1.39/L for the farmer with ownership of 1-5 cows and IDR7.09/L for ownership of 6-10 cows.

BLACK OAT (Avena strigosa) SILAGE FOR SMALL-SCALE DAIRY SYSTEMS IN THE HIGHLANDS OF CENTRAL MEXICO

&lt;p&gt;Black oat (&lt;em&gt;Avena strigosa&lt;/em&gt; cv. Saia) silage (BOS) as an alternative forage for the dry season in small-scale dairy systems was evaluated against maize silage (MSL) at 6.0 kg DM/cow/day. Treatments were evaluated through on farm participatory livestock research: T1=100 BOS, T2=66:34 BOS:MSL, T3=34:66 BOS:MSL, and T4=100 MSL fed to milking dairy cows that also received 4.5 kg DM/cow/day of a commercial compound dairy concentrate and 2.2 kg DM/cow/day of cut-and-carry pasture. Eight Holstein cows were allotted to a replicated 4X4 Latin Square design, with 14 day experimental periods. Daily milk yields and milk composition were measured during the last four days, and live weight and body condition score recorded on the last day of each period. Feeding costs were determined by partial budget analysis. There were no differences in milk yield (15.9±0.26 kg/cow/day), or milk composition with mean values for milkfat of 38.8±0.86 g/kg, milk protein 32.2±0.38 g/kg, and lactose 46.3±0.22 g/kg. There were also no differences in milk urea nitrogen (MUN) with a mean of 11.8±0.83 mg/dl, live weight 385.6±1.67 kg, or body condition score with a mean of 2.6±0.01. Feeding costs per kg milk were 33% higher in T1 and T2 than T4, with intermediate feeding costs in T3 (T1=0.88, T2= 0.85, T3= 0.74, T4= 0.66 R$/kg). Profit margins and income/feeding costs were all positive. Black oat silage may be an alternative forage in small-scale dairy systems in the dry season when maize silage cannot be cultivated or fails due to climate concerns.&lt;/p&gt;

Production potential of lactating Red Chittagong cows due to improved feeding in small-scale dairy farm

The aim of the experiment was to reveal the production potential of lactating Red Chittagong cows through improved feeding. To achieve the aim, the experiment was designed in a completely randomized design with three dietary treatment groups having ten Red Chittagong cows in each group for a period of six months. The cows were randomly allocated to three dietary treatment groups, i.e., T0, T1 and T2. The cows of T0 group received only farmers’ diet (63% of dry matter intake of cows according to ARC, 1995) without the supplementation, served as control. The cows of T1 group received farmers’ diet (63%) plus 25% supplementation of formulated concentrate diet for deficit of requirement of cows {(63 + 9.25) = 72.25% dry matter intake of cows according to ARC, 1995)} and T2 group received farmers’ diet (63%) plus formulated concentrate diet to meet 100% requirement of cows according to ARC (1995) {(63% + 37%) = 100%}. The average milk production of Red Chittagong cows of T0, T1 and T2 groups was 2.40, 3.27 and 4.82 kg per day, respectively. The milk fat, protein, solids not fat, total solids and ash were 4.30, 3.85, 9.02, 13.34 and 0.70; 4.75, 3.70, 8.97, 13.73 and 0.71; and 5.45, 3.56, 8.86, 14.30 and 0.72, g per 100g milk, respectively, for T0, T1 and T2 groups. Therefore, the farmers’ diet plus supplementation of formulated concentrate diet (FCD) to meet 100% requirement of cows was a better improved feeding system of lactating Red Chittagong cows to derive good performance.Progressive Agriculture 29 (2): 147-157, 2018

Risk factors associated with reproductive performance in small-scale dairy farms in Mexico.

Several studies suggest that reproductive performance in small-scale dairy farms is low reducing the farms' profitability. Therefore, identifying risk factors associated with low reproductive performance is a key step to implement an improved reproductive management program. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to identify the main risk factors affecting the reproductive performance of cows in small-scale dairy farms. Ninety-six dairy farms were incorporated into this study, and data from 1263 lactations were collected with different events as potential risk factors. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association (odds ratio, OR) and impact (population attributable fraction, PAF) between the potential risk factors and the reproductive variables. The main risk factors associated with assisted calving were male calf and primiparous cows (OR = 1.7, PAF = 0.315 and OR = 1.5, PAF = 0.131, respectively), while for retained fetal membranes (RFM) were assisted calving and abortion (OR = 4.5, PAF = 0.440 and OR = 8.1, PAF = 0.239, respectively). The main risk factors for days to first service over 70days in milk were low body condition score at calving (BCS ≤ 2.5) and primiparous cows (OR = 2.2, PAF = 0.285 and OR = 1.4; PAF = 0.096, respectively), while for days open over 110days in milk were low BCS at calving (BCS ≤ 2.5) and primiparous cows (OR = 1.7, PAF = 0.213 and OR = 1.4; PAF = 0.096, respectively) The main risk factor for non-pregnant cows at first service was RFM (OR = 1.7; PAF = 0.059). In conclusion, assisted calving, male calf, BCS ≤ 2.5 and RFM were the main risk factors associated with reduced reproductive performance in small-scale dairy farms in tropical and subtropical regions of Mexico.

Impact of dairy hubs on smallholder welfare: empirical evidence from Kenya

This paper identifies the factors that affect farmers’ decision to participate in a dairy hub. It also examines the impacts of dairy hub participation on rural household welfare measured by farm yields and net returns in Kenya. The study utilises farm-level data of 826 Kenyan small-scale dairy farmers. The casual impact of dairy hub participation is estimated by utilising endogenous switching regression. This helps in estimating the true welfare effect of dairy hub participation by controlling the role of selection problem on participation decision. The empirical results indicate that farmers’ education, extension services, credit access, landholding, tropical livestock unit, distance to dairy hub, off-farm work and household size mainly determine participation in dairy hub. It was also found that dairy hub participation significantly increases yields and net returns.

Oat silage for grazing dairy cows in small-scale dairy systems in the highlands of central Mexico

The objective was to evaluate the provision of oat silage (Avena sativa) to supplement grazing dairy cows on pastures of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), festulolium (Lolium multiflorum × Festuca pratense) and white clover (Trifolium repens) during the dry season when pasture growth is limited. The experimental design was a 3 × 3 Latin square replicated three times, with nine milking Holstein cows (mean live weight 496.2 ± 33.6 kg and daily milk yield 14.8 ± 2.8 kg cow−1) under on-farm participatory rural research. Experimental periods were 14 d. Simulated grazing samples of pasture herbage were analysed for chemical composition, sward height recorded and net herbage accumulation determined from exclusion cages. Treatments were the inclusion of oat silage at T0 = 0 kg DM cow−1 d−1 of oat silage, T3 = 3 kg DM cow−1 d−1 of oat silage, and T6 = 6 kg DM cow−1 d−1 of oat silage, plus 5.0 kg fresh weight commercial concentrate and 9 h of continuous grazing. Animal variables were milk yield and composition, live weight and body condition score. Feeding costs were calculated. Mean milk yield was 18.9 ± 0.27 kg cow−1 d−1 with no differences in animal variables (p > 0.05), but feeding costs per kilogram milk increased 25% for T3 and 50% for T6. Oat silage supplementation is only viable under difficult grazing conditions.

Benefit-Cost Analysis of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccination at the Farm-Level in South Vietnam.

This study aimed to analyze the financial impact of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks in cattle at the farm-level and the benefit–cost ratio (BCR) of biannual vaccination strategy to prevent and eradicate FMD for cattle in South Vietnam. Production data were collected from 49 small-scale dairy farms, 15 large-scale dairy farms, and 249 beef farms of Long An and Tay Ninh province using a questionaire. Financial data of FMD impacts were collected using participatory tools in 37 villages of Long An province. The net present value, i.e., the difference between the benefits (additional revenue and saved costs) and costs (additional costs and revenue foregone), of FMD vaccination in large-scale dairy farms was 2.8 times higher than in small-scale dairy farms and 20 times higher than in beef farms. The BCR of FMD vaccination over 1 year in large-scale dairy farms, small-scale dairy farms, and beef farms were 11.6 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 6.42–16.45], 9.93 (95% CI 3.45–16.47), and 3.02 (95% CI 0.76–7.19), respectively. The sensitivity analysis showed that varying the vaccination cost had more effect on the BCR of cattle vaccination than varying the market price. This benefit-cost analysis of biannual vaccination strategy showed that investment in FMD prevention can be financially profitable, and therefore sustainable, for dairy farmers. For beef cattle, it is less certain that vaccination is profitable. Additional benefit-cost analysis study of vaccination strategies at the national-level would be required to evaluate and adapt the national strategy to achieve eradication of this disease in Vietnam.

Short communication: Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus isolated along the raw milk cheese production process in artisan dairies in Italy

Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of food-borne intoxications. Several staphylococcal food poisoning outbreaks have been linked to consumption of raw milk cheeses and artisanal cheese production. However, information on Staph. aureus isolated from artisanal raw milk cheeses and small-scale dairy production environments is very limited. Therefore, we aimed to characterize Staph. aureus isolated along the artisanal raw milk production chain by determining (1) the population structure, and (2) the presence/absence of enterotoxin genes, mecA/C, and pvl. We collected 276 samples from different production stages (raw milk, whey, curd, brine, drying worktops, and cheese) at 36 artisan dairies in Italy. A total of 102 samples from 25 dairies tested positive for Staph. aureus, with 80% positive samples among the tested artisan cheeses. All isolates were further characterized by spa typing and PCR screening for staphylococcal enterotoxin genes, the mecA/mecC genes characteristic for methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus, and the pvl gene encoding Panton-Valentine leukocidin. The 102 isolates represented 15 different spa types and were assigned to 32 different Staph. aureus strains. The spa type most frequently detected was t2953 (30%), which is associated with genotype B strains causing high within-herd levels of bovine mastitis. In addition, 3 novel spa types (t13269, t13277, and t13278) were identified. Although none of the strains harbored mecA/mecC or pvl, 55% of the isolates exhibited at least one enterotoxin gene. Many strains were present in samples from multiple dairies from different regions and years, highlighting the spread of Staph. aureus in small-scale cheese production plants. Our findings demonstrate that enterotoxigenic Staph. aureus and in particular t2953 (genotype B) isolates commonly occur in artisanal dairies and raw milk cheeses in Italy. It is particularly alarming that 80% of the artisan cheeses sampled in our study were positive for Staph. aureus. These findings stress the need for effective measures preventing staphylococcal food poisoning by limiting Staph. aureus growth and enterotoxin formation along the production chain and in the final product.

Evaluation of comparative advantages in the profitability and competitiveness of the small-scale dairy system of Tulancingo Valley, Mexico.

This article combines a Policy Analysis Matrix with a sensitivity and poverty line analysis with the objective of evaluating the economic contribution of comparative advantages to the private profitability and competitiveness of small-scale dairy systems. For 1year, socioeconomic data were collected from 82 farms selected from four strata via statistical sampling. Two scenarios were established to determine the quantitative contribution of comparative advantages: (1) a simulated scenario, which accounted for the cost of purchasing the total food and the opportunity cost of the family labour force (FLF), and (2) an actual production scenario, which accounted for the cost of producing food and eliminating the payment of the FLF and included other income. The E3 and E4 producers were the most profitable and competitive in the simulated scenario and actual production scenario. Of the four scales evaluated, the E2 and E1 producers were the most efficient in taking advantage of the economic contribution provided by the comparative advantages in their own production of food and employment of the FLF, in addition to accounting for other income, a condition that increased their profitability by 171 and 144% and competitiveness by 346 and 273%, respectively. The poverty results indicated that only E3 and E4 producers were non-vulnerable in the simulated scenario and actual production scenario. The purchase of food was the comparative advantage with the greatest sensitivity to cost increases in the two scenarios analysed, which exacerbated the effect on the E1 and E2 producers.

Cow- and herd-level factors associated with lameness in small-scale grazing dairy herds in Brazil

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess lameness occurrence and to identify the associated risk factors in small-scale grazing dairy herds. Forty four farms (mean lactating herd size was 42 cows, SD = 11.2, range: 28–74) located in the south of Brazil were visited twice, approximately 4 months apart, in 2015. Locomotion was scored in 1633 and 1836 cows at the first and second visit, respectively. Potential risk factors for lameness were assessed through inspection of cows and facilities, and a questionnaire for farmers about herd management practices. Multilevel logistic regressions, using herd as random effect, were fitted to investigate the cow-level risk factors for accumulated incident (not lame at the first visit but lame on the second), chronic (lame on both visits) and recovered (lame at the first visit but sound on the second) cases of lameness. A multilevel linear regression, using municipality as a random effect, was fitted for herd-level analysis. Cumulative lameness incidence between two visits (1110 cows in 41 herds) was 29.6% (range: 0–80); lameness prevalence (n = 44 herds) was 31% (10–70) and 35% (5–76) at the first and second visits, respectively. The odds of incident cases were greater in Holstein cows [odds ratio (OR) = 4.0, 95% confidence interval 2.1–7.6] compared with Jerseys, in cows in parities 2–3 (OR 2.5, 1.4–4.4) or >3 (OR 6.6, 3.3–13.1) relative to parity 1, in cows having a low body condition score (BCS) of 2–2.75 or 3 on the first visit (OR 2, 1.1–3.7), and in cows with observed hoof abnormalities (OR 2.5, 1.3–4.7). Similar associations were found for chronic cases, with Holstein and crossbred cows having greater odds of lameness, compared to Jersey, and chronic cases being more likely in cows with increasing parity, with BCS at first visit of 2–2.75, and with presence of hoof abnormalities. Jersey or crossbred cows (OR 3.2, 1.3–8.1) and cows in parity 1–2 (OR 3.6, 1.6–8.4) had higher probability of recovery from lameness. Having a herd composed of Holstein cows was associated with 13.5% (CI 4.3–22.8) greater incidence of lameness (n = 35). For every 1 km/h increase in the average speed of movement of the herd to or from milking, lameness incidence increased by 5% (CI 0.1–10). Given that the occurrence of lameness was high there is great opportunity to reduce lameness in this population. This study highlights some management and prevention practices that may reduce lameness in these grazing herds.

Supplementation of dairy cows with commercial concentrate or ground maize grain under cut-and-carry or grazing of cultivated pastures in small-scale systems in the highlands of central Mexico

Small-scale dairy systems (SSDS) in Mexico represent over 78% of dairy farms and 37% of milk production. In the central highlands, many SSDS base the feeding of herds on irrigated cultivated pastures (mostly cut-and-carry), straws, and large amounts of commercial concentrates that result in high feeding costs and low economic sustainability. Intensive grazing may result in lower feeding costs when compared with cut-and-carry strategies. The high protein content of pasture may meet requirements of dairy cows with moderate milk yield (16–20 kg milk/cow.day), so that lower protein supplements, like ground maize grain, may substitute for commercial concentrates. An on-farm experiment following a participatory rural research approach was undertaken with seven farmers evaluating commercial concentrate (CC) or ground maize grain (MG) as supplement; and two pasture managements, grazing (G) or cut-and-carry (C) of irrigated ryegrass/white clover pastures to assess productive performance and feeding costs. Six farmers participated with four milking cows each and one farmer with two groups of four milking cows in a 2 by 2 factorial experiment. Daily milk yield per cow before the experiment was used as covariate. The experiment lasted 12 weeks. There is a trend in G for higher protein content in milk (P &amp;lt; 0.10). CC showed higher body condition score than MG with a significant interaction for body condition score with the highest body condition score in CCC (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Feeding costs were 15% higher per kg of milk yield and 19% per kg of energy-corrected milk under cut-and-carry but no statistical differences were detected (P &amp;gt; 0.05) in comparison with the grazing strategy. Supplementing with home-grown ground maize grain resulted in 28.5% higher margins per kg of milk produced. Implementing grazing involves less work burden for small-scale dairy farmers, and combined with home-grown grains as supplement is a viable option that may reduce feeding costs in these systems.

Impact of Non-Governmental Organisations’ Income Generating Projects: A Case of Rural Poverty Alleviation in a Selected Small Scale Dairy Projects in Chikomba District

Impact of Non-Governmental Organisations’ Income Generating Projects: A Case of Rural Poverty Alleviation in a Selected Small Scale Dairy Projects in Chikomba District

Uncovering the Determinants of Sustainability Practices: Perceptive of Small Scale Dairy Farmers

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED WITH THE INFORMING SCIENCE INSTITUTE. Aim/Purpose............................................................................................................................................................................... This research will explore the factors that determine the level of adoption and participation in sustainability practices among the local dairy farmers in Malaysia. Background............................................................................................................................................................................... Sustainability is often aimed at a solution in most fields: economics, social, and ecological welfare. Sustainability is known as the best technique to practice farming, which ensures the continuity of the practices, guarantees the continuous access to economic resources; the social well-being of the people; and also the preservation of the environment. In order to improve productivity of the dairy industry in Malaysia, it is important for the dairy farmers to be encouraged to embrace the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in their management of farm operations. Methodology............................................................................................................................................................................... Data were collected with the use of well-structured questionnaires. The face-to-face interview was conducted for 167 dairy farmers from six selected states in Malaysia. Likert-like scale was used to determine the practices that were adopted by the dairy farmers. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive analysis and regression. Contribution............................................................................................................................................................................... This paper attempts to bring into focus the sustainable practices in farming industry especially local dairy farmers in Malaysia. It also helps to prioritize the determinants which mainly influence the sustainability in dairy industry. Findings.................................................................................................................................................................................... The findings suggest that the most significant element contributing to sustainability in the Malaysia’s dairy industries was environmental sustainability. It can be concluded that farm sustainability, environmental sustainability, and social sustainability variables explained about 42.6% of the variance that reflected sustainability. Recommendations for Practitioners......................................................................................................................................... The overall findings revealed that the entire element gave a significant role in the sustainability of the dairy industry. It is suggested that the industry in Malaysia develops over time towards sustainability. Recommendation for Researchers............................................................................................................................................ There is need for measuring sustainability thoroughly in every aspect and separately measured the sustainability determinants. Impact on Society....................................................................................................................................................................... Adopting the good management practices in improving the production by potentially revealing the dairy farmers sustainable operation practices, give benefits determinants influences dairy farmers adoption of sustainability practices; and also insights into the decision making process of dairy farmers in adopting sustainability practices. Future Research.......................................................................................................................................................................... Cross Regional study will provide better insights on intensifying the determinants of sustainability and improving the livelihood of small farmers.

Perceptions of Factors Affecting Milk Quality and Safety among Large- and Small-Scale Dairy Farmers in Zimbabwe

The study investigated the perceptions of milk producers on milk quality and safety. Randomly selected large-scale farmers (n=158) and small-scale farmers (n=186) were surveyed using semistructured questionnaires. An ordinal logistic regression was used to estimate the probability of farmers considering milk quality and safety important. Large-scale farmers were 3 times more likely to consider that breed affects milk quality compared to their small-scale counterparts. Farmers aged over 30 years were 3 times more likely to indicate that hygiene affected milk quality. The likelihood of milk transportation affecting its quality was 4 times higher in small-scale farmers compared to large-scale producers. Postmilking contamination of milk was perceived to occur during transportation by small-scale farmers, whilst commercial farmers ranked storage as the important source of contamination after milking. Udder diseases were ranked first by large-scale farmers while small-scale farmers ranked milking environment as the major cause of milk spoilage. The likelihood of milk safety being important was two times higher in large farms compared to small-scale farms. Intervention programmes on milk safety should mainly target small-scale dairy farmers since they are less concerned about milk quality and safety.