Getting healthy, productive dairy cows starts with proper breeding and good farm management. In this guide, Benson Lander from CKL Africa explains how farmers can make the right breeding choices and manage their cows for higher milk yields.
Why Good Breeding Matters
As farmer Massi shared, her main goal for keeping cows was milk production for sale and value addition (like yogurt and cheese). However, her current yield wasn’t meeting expectations.
Benson explains that:
- 25–30% of milk output depends on the cow’s genetics (genotype).
- 70–75% of milk output depends on management practices such as feeding, watering, health checks, and parasite control.
Key Factors to Consider When Breeding
When selecting or breeding a cow, farmers should look at:
- Genetics: Choose breeds with strong milk production traits.
- Body structure: Stature, body depth, udder attachment, teat placement and length all affect productivity and milking ease.
- Leg structure: Straight, well-spaced legs allow proper udder formation and easier milking.
- Health: Select for disease resistance and adaptability to climate change.
The Difference Between Mating and Breeding
- Mating: Simply inseminating a cow to conceive.
- Breeding: Strategically selecting bulls and cows to improve genetics for the next generation.
Benson stresses that true breeding helps farmers avoid passing weaknesses (like poor stature or udder structure) to offspring, ensuring better productivity in future herds.
Using CRV Genetics from CKL Africa
CKL Africa offers CRV semen catalogues that help farmers select the best bulls for improving their herds.
Benefits include:
- Healthier cows with better disease resistance.
- Efficient cows that consume less feed but can produce 30+ litres of milk per day.
- Improved structure, udder quality, and overall productivity.
For comparison: Mercy’s cow was producing 10 litres/day, but with better genetics and management, the goal is 30 litres/day.
Management Tips for Better Milk Yields
Beyond genetics, day-to-day farm practices are crucial. Some key steps include:
- Comfortable housing: Create proper partitions so cows can rest well.
- Clean environment: Regularly clean feed troughs and sleeping areas.
- Dry bedding: Use wood shavings to keep floors dry and comfortable.
- Balanced feeding: Provide a mix of silage, hay, and essential minerals to prepare cows for breeding and boost milk yield.
Final Thoughts
Breeding is not just about producing calves — it’s about shaping future generations of healthier, more productive cows. By combining the right genetics (30%) with proper management (70%), farmers can transform their dairy farms into profitable ventures.
With CKL Africa’s CRV genetics and expert support, farmers like Massi can look forward to stronger, healthier cows and significantly higher milk production.
