Precision Dairy Farming in the Gulf:
Nutrition & Housing
Welcome to the technical hub of Aarday Dairy Farm.
Operating in the unique climate of the Gulf requires a scientifically rigorous approach to cattle management. Below are our standards for nutrition and housing across every life stage of the dairy cow, optimized for health, longevity, and production efficiency.
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Read the Disclaimer before blindly following these without a paid consultation.
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The Newborn Calf (0 - 7 Days)
The first week is critical for immune transfer and survival. In our desert environment, hygiene and thermal comfort are paramount.
Housing & Environment
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Pen Dimensions: 1.5m x 1.3m (Individual Pen).
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Shade: 100% Mandatory. Direct sun is fatal at this stage.
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Bedding: Deep sand (15cm+) replaced daily. Sand stays cooler than straw in summer and harbors fewer bacteria.
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Space: 1.5 - 2.0 m² per calf.
Nutritional Requirements
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Priority: Colostrum intake (4-6% Body Weight) within first 6 hours.
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Energy: 12-16 MJ/day.
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Protein: 28-35% (via Colostrum/Transition Milk).
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Sample Newborn Feed:
At this stage, the calf relies entirely on milk/colostrum. Dry feed intake is negligible.
Ingredient | Daily Amount | Cost (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Colostrum/Transition Milk | 4.0 - 5.0 Liters | Internal Cost | Critical for antibodies (IgG). |
Clean Water | Ad libitum | 0.1 | Essential for hydration. |
Total Cost | -- | ~0.10 AED | Plus milk production cost. |
Milk Feeding Phase (1 - 6 Weeks)
The goal is to encourage early rumen development while maintaining high growth rates.
Housing
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Bedding: Sand (10-15cm), cleaned twice daily.
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Ventilation: Critical to prevent pneumonia, but avoid drafts.
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Trough Space: 20-25 cm/head for milk; 8-10 cm for water.
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Sample Ration (Calf Starter):
Aim: Encourage solid feed intake alongside Milk Replacer (MR).
Ingredient | Daily Amt (kg) | Nutritional Role | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
Milk Replacer | 0.8 - 1.0 (solids) | Primary protein/energy source. | 12 |
Maize (Broken) | 0.15 | Starch for rumen papillae growth. | 0.17 |
Soybean Meal | 0.1 | High quality protein (CP). | 0.22 |
Alfalfa Hay | 0.05 | Scratch factor (fiber). | 0.08 |
Barley (Flaked) | 0.1 | Fermentable energy. | 0.1 |
Total Daily Cost | ~1.2 - 1.4 kg DM | Mostly driven by milk cost. | ~12.57 AED |
Weaned & Growing Calves (6 Weeks - 6 Months)
Transitioning from liquid to solid feed. The rumen is now the primary energy source.
Housing
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Type: Small groups (8-10 calves).
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Space: 2.2 - 2.8 m² per head.
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Shade: 70-80% minimum coverage.
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Bedding: Mounded Sand (18-25cm).
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Sample Grower Ration:
Requirements: 14-16% CP, Energy ~30-36 MJ/day.
Ingredient | Daily Amt (kg) | Cost (AED) | Nutritional Role |
|---|---|---|---|
Bermuda/Rhodes Grass | 1.5 | 1.5 | Cost-effective fiber base. |
Alfalfa Hay | 0.8 | 1.32 | Protein and calcium. |
Maize (Ground) | 0.8 | 0.88 | Energy for growth. |
Soybean Meal | 0.3 | 0.66 | Protein supplement. |
Wheat Bran | 0.4 | 0.34 | Phosphorous & palatability. |
Total Daily Cost | 3.8 kg Feed | 4.70 AED | Growth target: 0.6-0.8 kg/day. |
Heifers (6 Months - Breeding)
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Balancing growth without causing obesity (which hurts future milk production).
Housing
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Space: 3.0 - 5.5 m² per head (increases with age).
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Cooling: Fans required if THI (Temperature Humidity Index) > 72.
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Shade: 50% minimum.
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Sample Heifer Ration:
Requirements: 12-13% CP. Lower energy density to prevent fat deposits in udder.
Ingredient | Daily Amt (kg) | Cost (AED) | Nutritional Role |
|---|---|---|---|
Wheat Straw | 2.5 | 1.75 | Filler to limit energy density. |
Bermuda Grass | 3 | 3 | Main forage source. |
Alfalfa Hay | 1 | 1.65 | Protein source. |
Wheat Bran | 1.5 | 1.28 | Energy & Fiber. |
Barley | 0.5 | 0.5 | Supplemental energy. |
Total Daily Cost | 8.5 kg Feed | 8.18 AED | Economical maintenance diet. |
The "Close-Up" Transition
(3 Weeks Pre-Calving)
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The most critical 21 days. We must prevent Milk Fever (Hypocalcemia) and prepare the rumen for high-energy lactating diets.
Housing
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Space: 12-15 m² (Calving Pen).
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Comfort: Deep sand bedding (35-40cm) is non-negotiable for hygiene.
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Water: 20L trough capacity per head immediately available.
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Sample Close-Up Ration (DCAD Focus):
*Goal: Low Potassium, Moderate Energy.
Note: Avoid high potassium Alfalfa if possible, or use anionic salts.
Ingredient | Daily Amt (kg) | Cost (AED) | Nutritional Role |
|---|---|---|---|
Wheat Straw | 3 | 2.1 | Low potassium filler. |
Bermuda/Rhodes | 3 | 3 | Moderate forage. |
Maize (Corn) | 2.5 | 2.75 | Rumen acclimation to starch. |
Soybean Meal | 1.5 | 3.3 | High protein for calf growth. |
Wheat Bran | 1 | 0.85 | Fiber/Energy. |
Total Daily Cost | 11.0 kg Feed | 12.00 AED | Must add anionic salts (Cl/S). |
Lactating Cows
(Early & Mid Lactation)
High performance phase. The cow is an metabolic athlete. Energy density must be high to support 25kg+ milk production.
Housing (Gulf Standard)
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Cooling: Soakers (sprinklers) and high-velocity fans are active whenever temp > 21°C.
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Stalls: Freestall with sand bedding.
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Water Access: 15-20cm linear trough space per cow (High intake: 100L+/day).
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Sample Lactating Cow Ration (High Energy):
Requirements: 16-17.5% CP, High Energy (ME > 11 MJ/kg).
Ingredient | Daily Amt (kg) | Cost (AED) | Nutritional Role |
|---|---|---|---|
Alfalfa Hay | 7 | 11.55 | High quality digestible fiber/CP. |
Maize (Corn) | 6 | 6.6 | High Starch (Energy). |
Barley | 3 | 3 | Energy (slower digestion than corn). |
Soybean Meal | 3.5 | 7.7 | Bypass protein for milk yield. |
Wheat Bran | 2 | 1.7 | Palatability. |
Bermuda Grass | 1 | 1 | Structural fiber (rumen mat). |
Minerals/Vitamins | 0.5 | 2.5 | Critical Ca/P balance. |
Total Daily Cost | 23.0 kg Feed | 34.05 AED | Target Milk: 25-30 Liters/day. |
Dry Cows (Far-Off)
The rest period. The goal is to maintain body condition score (BCS) without fattening.
Housing
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Type: Bedded pack or pasture with heavy shade (4-5 m² shade/head).
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Space: 9-12 m² total space.
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Sample Dry Cow Ration (Low Energy/High Fill):
Requirements: 10-12% CP. High fiber to keep the rumen expanded but low calorie.
Ingredient | Daily Amt (kg) | Cost (AED) | Nutritional Role |
|---|---|---|---|
Wheat Straw | 5 | 3.5 | Bulk/Fill (limits energy intake). |
Bermuda/Rhodes | 4 | 4 | Maintenance forage. |
Wheat Bran | 2 | 1.7 | Phosphorous source. |
Soybean Meal | 0.5 | 1.1 | Minimal protein maintenance. |
Total Daily Cost | 11.5 kg Feed | 10.30 AED | Prevent obesity (Fat Cow Syndrome). |
Summary of Daily Feed Costs (Estimated AED)
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Calf (Milk Phase): ~12-14 AED (High investment)
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Heifer (Growing): ~8-9 AED
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Dry Cow: ~10-11 AED
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Lactating Cow: ~34-36 AED (Returns ~50-60 AED in milk revenue)
In the Gulf summer, dry matter intake (DMI) drops.
You must increase the density of nutrients (more grain/fat, less straw) to compensate for the lower volume the cows eat during heat stress.
Mineral, Vitamin and Amino Acid supplements varies for each stage.