Lam Dong aims for effective and sustainable dairy farming

Blanket dairy farming to maintain stable location

In recent years, dairy farming in Lam Dong has become one of the specific agricultural sectors, contributing significantly to the local socio -economic development.

As one of the first four households in the locality to import dairy cows for raising since the end of 2022, up to now, the dairy farming of Mr. Tran Huy Rin's household, Cat An village, Cat Tien 2 commune has been stable. Mr. Rin said that in order to serve the dairy farming, he boldly invested in building standard barns and buying high-quality breeding animals from Da Lat Milk Joint Stock Company with a total cost of more than 3 billion VND.

Mr. Tran Huy Rin (right) discussed with experts from Dalat Milk Joint Stock Company about the dairy cow farming process.

Currently, Mr. Rin is raising a total of 47 dairy cows; of which, 35 are in the milking stage, with a stable output of 700kg/day. At the same time, the company has signed a fixed contract for milk purchase price at 15,000 VND/kg (calculated immediately), with an additional bonus of 1,000 VND/kg (calculated at the end of the year) depending on quality.

Thanks to that, after 2 years of raising cattle, Mr. Rin has paid off all the debt for buying breeding cows from Da Lat Milk Joint Stock Company, gradually recovering the invested capital.

After 2 years of raising cattle, Mr. Tran Huy Rin has paid off all the debt for buying breeding cows from Da Lat Milk Joint Stock Company, gradually recovering the invested capital.

Mr. Tran Huy Rin shared that to have the highest quality of cow milk, he always ensures the care regimen according to technical instructions for the dairy cow herd. The barn must always be cool and clean. For new mother cows and calves, the floor is lined with straw or mats to ensure enough warmth.

Regarding the food ration, he always ensures the nutritional components for pregnant cows and cows that have given birth to produce high quality fresh cow's milk. In addition, he actively learns about milking techniques to effectively exploit the fresh milk source from the herd and ensure the hygiene of the fresh milk when harvesting.

On the other hand, Mr. Rin also actively shares his experience in barn construction and animal husbandry techniques with farmers in and outside the commune who want to invest in developing a dairy farming model like his family. From his field visit to his family's farm, Mr. Rin has encouraged and motivated more farmers in and outside the commune to boldly convert from beef cattle farming to dairy cattle farming.

thumbnails (4) — The total herd of dairy cows in Lam Dong province has recovered to over 26,000.

In particular, the average milk yield in Lam Dong province reaches 22 liters/cow/day, higher than the national average.

According to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine of Lam Dong province, as of July 2025, the total herd of dairy cows in the province has recovered to 26,220. The herd is mainly concentrated in communes of Don Duong district (old) with 17,159 cows, Duc Trong district (old) with 5,427 cows. In addition, there are scattered in Bao Loc city (old) with 734 cows; Di Linh district (old) with 557 cows; Lam Ha district (old) with 276 cows; Da Huoai district (old) with 550 cows and a few in other localities.

The stability of the cow herd is an important foundation for developing milk production. In 2024, Lam Dong province's milk production will reach more than 106,800 tons, an increase of more than 10% compared to 2020. In particular, the average milk yield will reach 22 liters/cow/day, higher than the national average (18.9 liters). This proves that improving breeds and applying intensive farming techniques have been effective.

Closely linked , promote promote processing and consumption

In fact, dairy farming in Lam Dong has been affirming its important role in agricultural restructuring , contributing to increasing farmers' income, creating jobs and promoting agricultural value chain linkages.

Despite many difficulties, the dairy industry of Lam Dong province is still maintaining stability, moving towards sustainable development.

thumbnails (9) — Vinamilk's dairy farm in Lam Dong province meets Organic standards

Mr. Pham Phi Long, Head of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine of Lam Dong, said that Lam Dong currently has 5 enterprises purchasing raw fresh milk with 18 purchasing stations. In addition, 3 cooperatives and 2 cooperative groups of livestock and milk purchasing are operating effectively.

About 95% of milk production is consumed stably through contracts with large companies such as: Vinamilk, Dalatmilk, Friesland Campina.

Along with that, in the province there are 3 fresh milk processing factories and a cheese production facility, with a capacity of hundreds of tons/day. Thanks to that, the output of products of households and farms is basically guaranteed, limiting the risk of "good harvest, low price".

thumbnails (7) — Farm and ranch owners are increasingly equipping modern machinery for livestock farming.

On the other hand, large-scale dairy farms have applied many advances such as: Automatic rotary milking, electronic chips to manage cow health, feed-pushing robots, and TMR (complete mixed ration) mixing. Waste treatment technology using biogas, biological products, and manure separation and pressing systems have also been deployed to minimize environmental pollution.

modern equipment — Farm and ranch owners are increasingly equipping modern machinery for livestock farming.

Along with that, disease and environmental management in dairy farming are also focused on. Veterinary work and disease prevention in Lam Dong are implemented quite synchronously. Every year, the vaccination rate reaches over 80% of the total herd, many farms are certified as disease-free.

However, the 2024 diarrhea outbreak shows that risks are still lurking, requiring the agricultural sector to further strengthen monitoring and response work.

thumbnails (8) — Farmers proactively grow grass for dairy farming

In particular, in the period 2016 - 2020, Lam Dong province has implemented the Project on developing dairy farming, supporting breeds, facilities and techniques for people. In the period 2021 - 2025, the plan to prevent and control animal diseases continues to be effectively implemented, contributing to maintaining stability for the industry.

thumbnail (1) — Pre-fermented feed is chosen by many farms and ranches to serve dairy farming.

Notably, many large-scale dairy farming projects are being and will continue to be implemented in the province. A typical example is the project of the High-tech Dairy Farm and Milk Processing Company Limited in Quang Son with a designed capacity of 50,000 cows; of which, 25,000 cows are for milk. It is expected that by 2031, when the project comes into operation, it will create a strong push, making Lam Dong a major dairy center of the country.

thumbnails (10) — About 95% of milk production in Lam Dong province is purchased and consumed stably by businesses through contracts.

In the coming time, the Department of Agriculture of Lam Dong province will continue to orientate to reduce small-scale dairy farming, develop concentrated farming applying high technology, improve the quality of breeding herds, and protect the environment. This is the basis for the dairy industry to become one of the spearheads in the province's agricultural economic development.

At the same time, promote value chain linkages between farmers, cooperatives and enterprises, ensure stable output; invest in food processing infrastructure and encourage the use of agricultural by-products.

Along with that, strengthen disease prevention, build more disease-free livestock areas; apply high technology, especially in waste treatment and dairy herd management. At the same time, support small households to change scale or join cooperatives, avoid fragmentation...

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/lam-dong-huong-toi-chan-nuoi-bo-sua-hieu-qua-va-ben-vung-391132.html