Zero grazing is a system where the cattle are usually kept in the farm and farmers
bring the feed and water to the animals. Due to reduced communal grazing land,
zero-grazing has become a common livestock management practice in most areas
of south-western Uganda.
Generally, the main advantages of the zero-grazing system are:
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Cows are confined and therefore use most of the energy from feeds for
growth and milk production.
Saves land for other enterprises by allowing the use of high yielding fodder
crops like Napier.
Enables on farm clean milk production.
How do you feed zero grazing cows?
Most farmers prefer giving dairy meal to the cows at milking time. Supplement at a
rate of 1 kg for each 1.5 litres of milk the cow produces on top of the 7 Kg of milk
contributed by grass. Other concentrates like sunflower seed cake, cotton seed cake
and bran are available.
How do you make a zero grazing unit?
Along one end of the walking area are the feed troughs with a water trough in the
middle. The inside measurements of the feed trough should be 60cm (2ft) wide at
the bottom and be raised at least 15cm (1/2 ft) above the ground level of the
walking area. Shallow feed troughs allow for feed spillage hence wastage.
Farmers need to fence their farms to keep away malicious neighbours and stray
animals that may carry diseases or ticks into your farm. Security can be enhanced
by setting up the dairy unit in a place where it can be monitored during the day or
night. To further enhance this, lighting can be added. There are good solar powered
lamps in the market which can light up your farm.
A) Slope or Gradient of your farm
Dairy units are better placed on the higher side of the farm. This is advantageous
because the dung from the unit can flow by gravity to your farm where it can be
directed into a composite pit or into a biogas digester.
Features of a diary unit
The Cubicles
The number of cubicles will vary according to the number of animals you have but
the measurements for each cubicle are 1.2 metre by 2.1 metres. Cubicles provide
the animals with a resting space at night and even during the day. Animals will
spend more time here and if the floor is not well made they can bruise the animals
and result in wounds. This is the area where cow mattresses must be placed. In
most farms they will fill this place with sand or murram which also gives warmth
to the animal. Cement is very cold and is not comfortable for the animal. Cubicles
are normally opposite the feeding area.
Walking area
The walking area gives the cow room to walk and exercise. It is between the
cubicles and the feeding area and is open to give the cow access to sunlight. The
walking area should be made of concrete to help in the shaping of the hooves and
avoiding overgrowth and coiling. It should be curved for ease of cleaning.
Feeding area
The feeding area will have troughs for holding water and feeds. Each animal
should have its feeding trough to avoid fighting and injury during eating. The
water trough must have water all the time (ad lib) and should have an outlet for
ease of cleaning.
Milking area
This will be placed at one extreme end on the side of the cubicles close to the store
and chaff cutting area. The milking area has a small feeding trough where
concentrates are placed for the animal to eat during milking and a place where the
mineral lick can be suspended. It has bars for retraining the head and the hind legs
during milking.
Calf Pen
This should be raised and protected from wind. Exposure to wind will predispose
the calf to respiratory tract infections. The unit should have a door that can be
locked to make it secure. Provide a foot bath for disinfection of anyone coming
into the unit.