Skip to content
- August 24th, 2024
Atin Sharma, Age 22 is a young veterinary diploma holder, has turned his family’s small dairy unit into a thriving business. Starting with just two cows, Atin now manages a successful dairy with Eight animal dairy unit, producing 80 liters of milk daily. His innovative practices, including the use of sexed semen, strategic feeding, and advanced calf management, have significantly improved his herd’s productivity. Despite facing challenges like limited space and health issues, Atin’s veterinary knowledge and dedication have made his dairy farm both profitable and sustainable, serving as a model for aspiring dairy farmers.
Atin Sharma 22, a young veterinary diploma holder based at Saliyana, has transformed his family’s small dairy unit into a thriving business. Starting with just two cows, Atin’s hard work and dedication have grown the dairy into a successful operation with ten animals (8 adults and 2 calves). His total milk output is an impressive 80 liters per day.
- Successful Calf Management: The Key to Profitable Dairy Farming :Atin Sharma’s innovative approach to calf management has transformed the profitability of his dairy farm. Central to his method is the practice of ad lib feeding, where calves are given unrestricted access to up to 5 liters of milk per day for the first three months. Additionally, he introduces a calf starter from day 10, beginning with 100 grams and gradually increasing to 600-800 grams per day. By the time calves reach three months, they receive 400 grams of feed daily. His heifers are carefully fed 3-3.5 kg of feed, ensuring optimal growth and development.Deworming is regularly practiced as part of his health management strategy. Atin’s focus on nutrition and health is evident in the exceptional performance of his animals. For instance, one of his Jersey heifers was successfully inseminated at just eight months old. By 2.9 years of age, this animal had already calved twice, was pregnant for the third time, and had reached peak milk production. Another noteworthy animal, at 2.5 years of age, produced 31 liters of milk and was pregnant for the third time, while another purchased pregnant cow gave 25 liters of milk.
“Noteworthy Cow: Gave 22 Liters in second lactation and at 2.9Years, Pregnant for the Third Time”Atin also emphasizes the importance of using quality straws for insemination. He suggests that government veterinary institutions often provide good-quality straws at affordable prices, though he also explores private options from companies like ABS. By purchasing straws in bulk, he achieves significant cost savings. His strategy involves a mix of stored straws in bags and open straws for feeding.This meticulous and proactive approach to calf management has resulted in superior outcomes, demonstrating that careful attention to feeding, health, and breeding can significantly enhance dairy farm profitability.
- Innovative Practices and Strategic Investments:Atin feeds his cows with a balanced diet, including 20 kg of silage, 8 kg of feed, mineral mixtures, and bypass fat daily. He has also made strategic investments in sexed semen from Genus ABS, purchasing two doses at Rs 1500 each. This investment ensures higher chances of female offspring, which is crucial for expanding his dairy business. To store the semen, Atin maintains a small cryocan, which he regularly refills with liquid nitrogen.https://www.youtube.com/embed/4f8CjRwaGv8?feature=oembedVideo on Dairy practices adopted by Atin
- Challenges and Animal Health Management: Despite his success, Atin faces challenges due to limited space for his growing herd. Overcrowding has led to some health issues among his cows. One of his cows suffered from mastitis, requiring treatment that cost over Rs 25,000. Additionally, two calves developed swollen joints, and a few cows experienced high fever. Subclinical mastitis is also a recurring problem. Although Atin is knowledgeable about basic treatments, these issues persist. One of his cows is currently undergoing treatment for Theileria, a tick-borne disease.
- “The cow, which had been suffering from a high fever for the past 15 days, was diagnosed with theileriosis at the veterinary college after our advice. It was recovering on the last day of our visit.”
- Effective Dairy Management and Production:Atin’s dairy farm consists of six animals, including three Jersey crossbred cows and three Holstein Friesian (HF) crossbreds. Some of these animals were self-raised, while others were purchased from a trader. The farm is attached to his home, providing convenience for daily management. The cow shed is clean, but during our visit, we observed issues with poor sunlight and overcrowding. Despite these challenges, Atin ensures that his cows are comfortable, using cow mats and maintaining an average milk production of 18-20 liters per cow per day.
- Feeding Strategy: Atin Sharma’s feeding practices prioritize dry fodder, concentrates, and
- silage over green fodder.
“Straw blocks are stored for winter or times when open straw becomes costlier to purchase.”He uses a chaff cutter to mix dry and green fodder efficiently, ensuring a balanced diet for his cows. Silage is procured at a cost-effective Rs 6-7 per kg, and straw blocks are bought from Punjab at Rs 7 per kg, which helps in managing expenses. Additionally, he grows super napier grass sourced from a neighboring progressive farmer, enhancing the nutritional value of his feed. Atin’s daily feeding routine for his cows includes 20 kg of silage, 8 kg of feed, and bypass fat. He has been using Goka feed for many years and shared that when he tried switching to a different feed, his animals developed health issues like mastitis. Because of this, he continues to rely on Goka feed.
“Super Napier grass grown by him, with roots received from a progressive farmer in his village.”
- Breeding Innovations: Atin’s use of sexed semen and superior semen from Genus ABS represents a key innovation in his dairy operation. This choice improves breeding outcomes, with Atin personally managing the transportation and storage of semen straws in his cryocan. He fills it with liquid nitrogen from nearby sources, often opting for economical private vendors.
- Efficient Equipment Use: A crucial element of Atin’s feeding system is his chaff cutter, which he uses to prepare dry fodder. During the rainy season, when green fodder is more available locally, the chaff cutter is used less frequently. This method ensures that the cows receive well-prepared and nutritionally balanced feed throughout the year.
- Routine Care and Veterinary Practices
- Atin’s Essential Medications: A Modern Approach to Animal Health in Dairy Farming
- ”Being a diploma holder in veterinary pharmacy, Atin is well-equipped to administer medications to his animals. During our visit, we observed a variety of medications available on his farm. Regular deworming, vaccination, and feeding of mineral mixtures and bypass fat are routine practices. Atin and his father manage most of the dairy work, including milking. As a single child, Atin shoulders the responsibility of running the dairy farm, and he does so with skill and dedication.
- Direct Milk Sales: Atin Sharma’s Business Strategy Personal Sales and Distribution: Atin Sharma is directly involved in the sale of his milk. He uses his scooty to transport and deliver milk to a nearby dairy, where it is sold at Rs 50 per liter.
A chaff cutter is used to process fodder, while a scooty is employed for delivering milk:This hands-on approach allows him to maintain control over the sales process and ensure timely delivery. Atin’s milk is priced at Rs 50 per liter due to the high fat content of his Jersey cows, which exceeds 5%, compared to 3.5% in his Holstein cows. This high fat percentage enhances the quality of the milk, making it more valuable in the market. Atin notes a strong demand for milk due to the decreasing number of dairy farmers in the area. This gap in supply presents a promising business opportunity for him, as he capitalizes on the consistent demand for high-quality milk.
- Observed Limitations in Yatin’s Dairy Management
- 1. Inadequate Housing Space
During our visit, it was noted that the housing space for Yatin’s dairy animals was insufficient. Proper housing is crucial for the health and well-being of dairy cattle, and limited space can lead to overcrowding, which can contribute to stress and health issues.
2. Insufficient Sunlight Provision
Although the animal shed was well-ventilated, it lacked adequate sunlight. Sunlight plays a significant role in maintaining animal health, as it helps in controlling humidity and reducing the risk of infections
- .3. Health Problems
The combination of limited housing space and insufficient sunlight provision has contributed to several health issues among Yatin’s animals. Notably, the herd has experienced cases of mastitis, subclinical mastitis, and other related health problems. Improving housing conditions and ensuring adequate sunlight can help in mitigating these issues and promoting better overall health for the animals
- 4.Family Resistance and Support: Atin Sharma’s Journey in Dairy FarmingDespite facing resistance from family members, especially from his mother and aunts, Atin Sharma’s passion for dairy farming has remained undeterred. His journey into dairy farming began at a young age, while he was still in school. Driven by a strong sense of tradition, Atin feels a deep connection to dairy farming, as both his grandfather and father were involved in it. This familial legacy has fueled his own commitment to the practice.Although there was opposition, Atin found crucial support from his father, who not only encouraged his aspirations but also actively assisted him in dairy operations before heading off to his job each day. This support has been instrumental in sustaining Atin’s enthusiasm and dedication to dairy farming, ensuring that the family’s legacy continues to thrive.Conclusion: A Model for Aspiring Dairy Farmers
Atin believes that with fewer people pursuing dairy farming, there is significant potential in the dairy business.Atin Sharma’s story is an inspiring example of how innovation, strategic investment, and sound veterinary knowledge can turn a small dairy operation into a successful business. His commitment to animal health, efficient management, and adoption of modern practices make him a model for aspiring dairy farmers. Despite facing challenges, Atin continues to push forward, ensuring his family’s livelihood through his thriving dairy farm.About the WriterDr. Devesh Thakur is an alumnus of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute and a faculty member at DGCN COVAS. He is passionate about writing stories from the rural hinterlands of Himachal Pradesh, India. Dr. Thakur can be reached at drdth4@gmail.com.