Start With Milk Income
Record how many litres each cow produces and the price you receive per litre.
For example:
If a cow gives 12 litres per day and milk sells at UGX 1,500 per litre, her gross milk income is:
12 × UGX 1,500 = UGX 18,000 per day
That is the starting point, not the profit.
Then Look at What She Costs You
The cow must eat, drink, receive treatment, and be managed every day.
Consider the main costs such as:
* forage and concentrates;
* minerals;
* veterinary care;
* breeding;
* labour;
* water and other routine costs.
If a cow produces UGX 18,000 worth of milk but costs nearly that amount to maintain, the margin is very small.
Watch Feed Cost Closely
Feed is often the biggest daily cost.
A high-producing cow may eat more, but that is not necessarily bad if the extra feed produces enough additional milk.
The real question is:
“For every shilling I spend feeding this cow, what am I getting back in milk?”
Cheap feeding that reduces milk is not always economical.
Include Fertility and Health
Profitability is not only about today’s milk.
A cow that repeatedly suffers mastitis, takes many services to conceive, or stays open for too long may become expensive even if she produces reasonably well.
Good farm records help reveal these hidden costs.
Compare Cows, Not Just the Herd
If you have five cows, do not only record total farm milk.
Know which cow produces:
* 18 litres;
* 14 litres;
* 9 litres;
* or 5 litres.
Then compare this with her feeding, health, and breeding costs.
You may discover that one cow is carrying the business while another is quietly consuming the profit.
The Bottom Line
A profitable dairy cow should produce enough income to cover her costs and leave a worthwhile return for the farmer.
You do not need complicated accounting.
Start by knowing:
Milk produced + Milk income – Main costs = Is this cow earning her keep?
The better your records, the better your answer.
Take Action
This month, choose one cow and track her milk, feed, treatment, and breeding costs.
Then ask yourself:
“If every cow on my farm performed like this one, would I be happy with the business?”
Radiant Farm Uganda Limited supports dairy farmers with practical dairy knowledge, quality hay, and maize silage to help build healthier, more productive, and more profitable dairy farms.
📞Contact Radiant Farm today and make every cow, and every feeding decision, count.🐄🌽
Order forage from our website (click here) or from the nearby authorised dealer (click here to find out more)
😉 Call / WhatsApp to confirm your Hay or Maize silage ORDER NOW!
📲📞 +256 790 810 337
📲📞 +256 702 350 821
📲 📞+256 702 760 564
📩 Email: kampala@radiantfarmug.com
📍 Farm Location: Plot 5 Kitotolo Road, Nsangabwami Kikandwa, Mityana - Uganda.
By Oliver Namirimu,
The Manager - Production and Operations at Radiant Farm, specializing in sustainable farming practices and animal nutrition.
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