Friesian cattle, often referred to as Holstein or Holstein-Friesian, are the most common cow found on New Zealand dairy farms; renowned for their superior productive capacities. Their origins are linked to North Holland where they were the regional cattle dating back over 2000 years ago. The breed was developed and bred with the aim of increasing the output that the cattle produced, maximising the benefit of an abundant supply of grass. As time has passed, Friesian cows have developed their characteristic black and white appearance due to the artificial selection of breeders; a sign that is associated with high production dairy cows throughout the world.

Friesian cattle are distinctive in their appearance, being a large animal with distinguishing black and white colourations over the entire body; others white with red patches. Calves generally weigh between 40 and 45 kg at birth; although much larger have been recorded. On average, a fully grown Friesian cow will stand approximately 1.48 metres tall and weigh in the vicinity of 550 to 600 kilograms.

The New Zealand dairy industry is world leading in respect to the quality of product and the production levels that the farming operations within the industry are able to achieve. Being a leader in innovative technologies, management processes and productive additives to the farming production cycle, the basis of much of the increases in output is down to the breed of the cow. Over 40% of cows utilised in New Zealand dairy operations are Friesian, contributing significantly to the productive capacities as a result of their innate ability for increased production, as well as their positive response to external inputs in the farming environment. Read the rest of this entry »

The dairy industry plays an important role in the socio-economic development of India. The dairy industry in India is instrumental in providing cheap nutritional food to the vast population of India and also generates huge employment opportunities for people in rural places.

The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Fisheries, which falls under the central Ministry of Agriculture, is responsible for all the matters relating to dairy development in the country. This department provides advice to the state governments and Union Territories in formulating programmes and policies for dairy development. It also looks after all the matters relating to production and preservation of livestock farms (cattle and sheep). To keep focus on the dairy industry a premier institution known as the National Dairy Development Board was established. This institution is a statutory body that was established in 1987. The main aim to set up the board was to accelerate the pace of dairy development in the country and attract new investments.

India is a wonderland for investors looking for investment opportunities in the dairy industry. The dairy industry holds great potential for investment in India and promises high returns to the investors.

The reasons why the industry has huge potential for attracting new foreign investment are: Read the rest of this entry »