A SMALL DAIRY PROJECT FOR OFWs AND RETIREES
HERE IS ONE INVESTMENT SCHEME in a small dairy project that is especially designed for OFWs, retirees and aspiring agri-entrepreneurs. It can be obtained through installment or on a lay-away basis if one does not have the cash right away. This is the Dairy Gold dairy investment scheme being offered by King Ranch Dairy Farm, which has a thriving milking herd in Rosario, Batangas. It is run by the father-and-son tandem of Alex and King Carlos. Based on their own experience, small-scale dairying can be a good moneymaking proposition that can be undertaken in many parts of the country.
Here is how the scheme works. Investors can choose from three packages which one they think best suits their circumstances. Package A consists of three Holstein-Sahiwal heifers that are already three months pregnant. Package B consists of 5 head, while Package C consists of 10 animals.
The Holstein-Sahiwal crosses from New Zealand have been proven to be highly adaptable to the tropical climate of the Philippines. Each cow is priced at R130,000 and can be paid for on installment within 12 months.
How soon can that investment be recovered? King Carlos explains that a few months after recipients receive their pregnant animals, the cows will give birth and start producing milk for up to 300 days. In the first year of milking, one cow can give an average of 10 liters a day, and these can be sold for R50 per liter for an average income of R500 per day for each animal.
As per their experience, King said, one can make a profit of R11,500 per month from each cow by selling the raw milk at R50 per liter. That means R138,000 per head in one year. Of course that could vary depending on how the animals are managed. He said that generally, the cost of the cow and other expenses can be recovered in 16 months.
Aside from dairy farmer’s income from milk, the calves are an additional bonus. A female calf, when raised to breeding age, will normally fetch R80,000, according to King. On the other hand, a male that is raised for slaughter may sell for R40,000 in less than one year. When it is raised for breeding, the bull can fetch R55,000 per head.