Ritukesh Feeds, Ruiru

15/06/2023

15/06/2023

Dairy cows can be a good venture in Kenya for several reasons:

Growing demand for dairy products: Kenya has a rapidly growing population, and with rising incomes and urbanization, there is an increasing demand for dairy products. This demand provides a ready market for dairy farmers.

High milk consumption: Milk is a key part of the Kenyan diet, consumed in various forms such as fresh milk, tea, and traditional fermented products like mursik. The high per capita milk consumption in Kenya indicates a consistent demand for dairy products.

Favorable climate and natural resources: Kenya has diverse agro-ecological zones that provide suitable conditions for dairy farming. The country has ample grazing land, and many regions receive sufficient rainfall, supporting the growth of nutritious forage for cows.

Supportive government policies: The Kenyan government has implemented various policies and initiatives to support the dairy sector. These include subsidized breeding programs, access to credit facilities, extension services, and training programs. Such support can help farmers establish and expand their dairy enterprises.

Value addition opportunities: Kenya offers potential for value addition in the dairy sector. Farmers can diversify their products by processing milk into cheese, butter, yogurt, and other value-added products. These products often have higher profit margins compared to raw milk.

Income generation and employment opportunities: Dairy farming can provide a source of income and employment opportunities, especially in rural areas. Small-scale farmers can engage in dairy farming to supplement their income and improve their livelihoods.

Export potential: Kenya has the potential to export dairy products to regional markets, such as East Africa and the wider African continent. Expanding the dairy sector can tap into these export opportunities, boosting profitability for farmers.

However, it's important to note that successful dairy farming requires proper management, access to quality breeds, good animal health practices, and adequate infrastructure for milk collection, processing, and marketing. Farmers should also consider factors such as feed availability, water resources, and access to veterinary services when considering dairy farming as a venture in Kenya.

14/05/2022

Breeding in Pigs (PART 3a):

INBREEDING

This is the mating between individuals of the same breed but which are more closely related than the average of the breed. This could be between as close individuals as full sibs or sire – daughter, mother - son. Pure breeding is a special kind of in-breeding. The effect of inbreeding is the concentration of common genes in the offspring. This high frequency of homozygous gene pairs applies to both desirable and undesirable traits. Many undesirable traits e.g. hernia and cryptorchidism involve recessive genes thus inbreeding perpetuates their expression phenotypically. In breeding causes decrease in litter size and increases mortality. In**ed sows are inferior in milking and mothering ability. It delays sexual maturity in gilts and boars. In**ed boars have less sexual libido. In**ed gilts have fewer eggs during oestrus and farrow smaller litters than those out bred.

13/05/2022

Breeding in Pigs (PART 2):

OUTBREEDING

Out breeding is mating individuals of the same breed but who are less closely related than the average of the breed. There should not be a common ancestor for at least four generation back in the pedigree of the boar and the females with which he is mated. It is a useful mating system in purebred individuals.

11/05/2022

11/05/2022

Breeding in Pigs (PART 1)

Pure-breeding

Pure-breeding is mating purebred individuals of the same breed. The progeny has the same genetic makeup. The major objective of pure-breeding is to identify and propagate superior genes for use in commercial production primarily in crossbreeding programs as well as to propagate and identify superior females for maintaining valuable genetic material. Furthermore, crossbreeding will not be worthwhile unless superior pure bred individuals are used.

06/05/2022

06/05/2022

Know your breeds:

06/05/2022

Do you know your pig breeds?

The most common pig breeds for commercial pig production are the Yorkshire, Landrace, Hampshire, Duroc, and Tibetan, Tamworth and Meishan breeds and their crosses.

These breeds produce lean meat combined with efficient feed conversion (3 kg of good feed is needed to produce 1 kg of pork).

Compared to local pig breeds, these commercial breeds are less resistant to diseases and suffer more from hot weather and low quality feeds.

03/05/2022

03/05/2022

03/05/2022