Sundaymail Editor
Online Reporter
MASHONALAND EAST dairy farmer Mr Sean Webster is currently producing 21 000 litres of milk per day after he adopted the pasture-based dairy farming model.
In 2018, Prodairy in collaboration with Mafuro Safari Farm, Grasslands Research Station and AFC Commercial Bank invested US$1,6 million in what seemed to some an ambitious project, which targeted to drastically cut the cost of milk production by setting up a pasture-based system.
But the venture seems to be on the path to success.
The model helps optimise use of inputs to enhance yield and quality of output.
Speaking recently at a large-scale dairy farm field day at his Mafuro Safari Farm, Mr Webster said: “As you can see, the project is already showing results. As for now, we even managed to set up an advanced farm parlour.
“The project started from a herd of 546, of which 75 were being milked, to the current big milking herd of 1 099 cows at an average of 19,3 litres per cow.
“This translates to a whopping average of 21 000 litres per day, which is an improvement from the previously known average of 13 litres per cow owing to this method of production.”
Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Vangelis Haritatos applauded the initiative.
“This event presents an opportunity for the rest of Zimbabwe dairy farmers to learn life-changing developments coming along with the implementation of precision dairy farming systems.
“In agriculture, fundamental to the projected economy is the adoption of sustainable smart climate change strategies as we are witnessing here.”
Online Reporter