BiH Dairy Farmers Boost Milk Production
Nine famers from Buzim were recently let in on a valuable secret: Cutting their grass earlier can increase their winter milk production by as much as 10 to 15%. The earlier cuttings are lower in fiber, higher in protein and easier for their cows to digest, thus increasing the amount of milk each cow produces.
The farmers learned about the technique on a study trip to the Netherlands sponsored by USAID’s Linking Agriculture Markets and Producers (LAMP) project. But the nine participants were not content to keep the knowledge to themselves. One of them filmed the trip and USAID organized a screening for other farmers from the region.
USAID also helped the Jezerski Farmers Association purchase a baler to better preserve the grass after it is cut. The Association used the baler to make 650 bales for its members and another 100 bales for neighboring farmers.
Association member Nermin Ramic says the cooperation has had a ripple effect, “Four of our farmers cooperated in buying another piece of farm machinery. It showed us that we can work together to accomplish what we can’t do alone.”
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| Farmers from Buzim watch as a member of the Jezerski Farmers
Association demonstrates the use of the association’s new baler |
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