Starting your own dairy farm can be a rewarding endeavor. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, though. There are plenty of challenges, mistakes, and other bumps in the road that can derail you during your first few years of business. Luckily, with the right preparation and plenty of determination, you can navigate these obstacles and find success with your farming business. Hit the ground running with these top tips first-time dairy farmers should know.
Choose Your Animals Wisely
When you think of dairy animals, you probably think of cows first. Most dairy farms find success by raising and milking cattle. Cows—especially popular breeds like Holsteins and Jerseys, which produce a lot of milk—are ideal for larger operations. However, investing in a small number of dairy cows can also be a lucrative decision for smaller farms.
That said, you might choose to raise goats or sheep on your dairy farm instead. Because goats and sheep are smaller, they don’t require as many resources as cows to handle responsibly. They need less feed and less barn space, making it easier to raise more of them in a smaller area. This makes goats or sheep ideal for operations that want to start small or don’t have as much room in their budget to cover upfront expenses.
Anticipate a Changing Market
The agricultural industry is notorious for changing prices, fluctuating supply and demand, and other unpredictable ebbs and flows. The dairy sector is no different. That’s why one of the most crucial tips for first-time dairy farmers is to keep an eye on the global market. Pay attention to ever-changing industry trends—such as higher production in 2022 and a decline in prices in 2023—to gain insights into dairy prices and the global market. This information will help you plan ahead for the ups and downs of the industry so you can stay afloat no matter what your farm faces.
Don’t Outgrow Yourself
If cows and goats are both great for starter dairy farms, why not invest in both? You’ll certainly get more products to sell that way, but that also means you’ll need to invest in more space, more feed, more employees, more packaging, and so on. That’s a lot of expenses and responsibilities to handle when you’re just starting out.
The world of farming can be exciting, but it’s important to stick to one business niche while you’re still finding your footing. By investing your time, money, and efforts into a singular product or service, you can make sure that you offer high-quality services and goods from day one.
