Publisher's Synopsis
This textbook was developed as a practical curriculum to present the basics of how to care for a modern dairy cow and how to make her more productive. This book is the heart of the teaching in our Dairy as Business School in Gulu, Uganda. This textbook is also the blueprint for the practices and protocols we expect our research farm known as Gulu Uganda Country dairy in Gulu, Uganda to follow every day. It is our intent that this curriculum present a dairy farm as a genuine business operation that to be successful must follow proven dairy cattle protocols and business practices. It was designed to get beyond theory and present the practical steps to a successful dairy farm. Our hope is that this book will challenge you to adopt these principles as you evaluate your dairy farm or consider starting a new one.
Information on this training school and research farm can be seen on Facebook at Gulu Uganda Country Dairy.
About the Author
Wendell Van Gunst, is an emeritus owner of Country Dairy Inc, a large family owned dairy farm in Michigan, USA. Wendell is a graduate of a 2 year dairy science program at Michigan State University. He recalls always loving dairy cows and started farming with his dad in 1964 with 16 cows growing Country Dairy into the farm it is today. Country Dairy currently milks 1500 Holsteins and farms several thousand acres to produce their feed. Country Dairy is managed today by several family members. The farm has gained notoriety for its Holstein dairy cattle genetics and is unique in bottling its own milk, making cheese and ice cream, and operating its own retail store. Wendell has been actively involved over several years in the dairy sector in Africa. He is chairman of an advisory board that has built a dairy research farm in Gulu, Uganda. The Gulu farm is milking 25 cows using modern practices and equipment to care for the cows and to raise their feed. The Gulu dairy farm also operates a dairy/business school teaching modern dairy farming from a business perspective. The students are involved in hands on learning as part of their training at the farm. The Gulu farm was recognized in 2015 winning the best farmer national award.
