“ We aim to build our dairy business around producing 12 million litres per year and achieving a 6 000 l cow. We also do not feed specific rations to individual cows, but rather a flat rate of 5.7 kg in the parlour.”
Managing through foot-and-mouth disease
Graham also explains the impact foot-and-mouth disease had on his dairy. It was almost a disaster and clearly took a psychological toll.
With the help of the MPO, they managed to secure limited early vaccine doses for their positive herds and vaccinated all their animals without losing a single one. Fortunately, they had followed an in-depth immune-boosting programme before the disease reached the area, which helped prevent major animal losses.
“ I was once asked what the single most important aspect of farming here is. For me, it is simple: soil fertility. It influences the entire system, from animal health to production figures.”
However, milk production dropped from about 21 l per cow to about 12 l, resulting in a loss of approximately R3 million.
Mastitis followed the foot-and-mouth outbreak, and only 15 cows from each herd had to be culled.
Focusing on soil fertility and cow fertility has been the basis for Graham’ s growing herds. With careful planning and the advice of close friends and confidants, Graham Caldecott continues to build a successful dairy farming business in the KZN Midlands.