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In this lesson we are going to discuss Commercial Livestock Farming

Answer Text:
b) Commercial Livestock Farming
i) Dairy Farming
- Keeping cattle for milk production.
Characteristics
- Dairy cattle are reared.
- It’s usually practiced in areas with good economy i.e. developed infrastructure for quick transportation of milk and good ready market
because dairy products are perishable.
- Employment of high modern technology of processing, packaging because milk is a perishable product which should be processed short time
after it is milked.
- High milk yielding cows are reared e.g. Friesian, Ayrshire, Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sahiwal.

Kenya
- The main breeds are Friesian and Ayrshire and cross breeds between indigenous and exotic breeds.
- Farmers use AI administered by veterinary extension officers or bulls directly to sire calves and keep the herd ‘in milk.
- In the past the government used to provide the services but they have been privatized making them inaccessible to many Kenyans.

Types of dairy farming
a) Lowland Dairy Farming - Keeping traditional cattle for consumption by family members.
b) Highland Commercial Dairy Farming - Practiced in the Kenyan highlands in the following dairying areas:

Rift valley
- Kericho, Bomet and Nakuru, Laikipia, Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu which are the leading dairying areas.
Characteristics
- Large scale farms
- Milking is mechanized
- Fed on fodder and grass
Central
- All districts
- Small farms
- Ranches exist in Makuyu Murang’a
- Intensive farming
- Zero grazing and fodder feeding practiced
Western
- Kakamega, Vihiga, and Bungoma.
- Small scale dairying
- Open grazing is common
Eastern
- Meru, upper Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Kangundo, Machakos, Mbooni hills and Makueni.
- Large scale dairying in Timau and Kibirichia in Meru - Small scale in higher altitudes
- Open grazing common
- Minimal zero grazing
Nyanza
- Kisii, Nyamira and Oyani and suna in higher parts of Migori
- Dominated by small scale dairying
- Zero grazing in some parts of Nyamira and Kisii districts.
Conditions Favouring Dairy Farming Kenya Highlands
Physical
a) The region experiences low temperatures ideal for survival of exotic breeds (averaging 18◦c).
b) The areas receive high and well distributed rainfall which ensures abundant supply of natural pasture and water from
permanent rivers.
c) Fertile volcanic soils which have ensured there is quality nutritious cover of grass.
Human
a) Well established infrastructure e.g. roads which ensures quick transportation of milk to processing plants.
b) High population which offers ready market for dairy products.
c) Availability of processing and storage facilities near dairy farms to transform milk into less perishable products
which has increased the rate of milk production.
d) Provision of veterinary services and demonstration farms by the government which promotes rearing of high quality dairy breeds.