Arla Foods, makers of Dano Milk, has received delivery of 216 Danish Holstein heifers for its Kaduna dairy farm.
A statement said this would help to shape the future of dairy in Nigeria.
According to ArlaFarm Manager, Dr. Jimmy Johnmark, the 216 Holstein-Friesian heifers arrived at the farm.
Johnmark noted that the Holstein-Friesian breed had a much higher expected yield per cow compared to the local breeds.
He disclosed that the heifers, sourced directly from Arla’s farmer owners, travelled by air from Europe, arriving at the Mallam Aminu Kano Airport in Kano, Nigeria, recently.
It stated that, “The heifers were then transported to the farm in special trucks that were adapted for their optimum comfort. The heifers have arrived in Nigeria ahead of the official commissioning of the farm which is scheduled to hold later this month.
“We are very excited to announce that the Arla Farm is fully set to commence operations for milk production, to boost local dairy.”
He explained that the heifers had now settled into the farm and were getting comfortable in their new home, noting that milk production on the farm was expected to start in the third quarter of 2023.
The statement said, “Arla Farm, located in Kaduna State, is a state-of-the-art commercial dairy farm, established by Arla Foods to serve as a model for productive and sustainable dairy farming in Nigeria.
“The farm development project, which officially began in 2021, is one of Arla’s investments in Nigeria’s dairy sector and one of the steps taken towards backward integration in Nigeria.”
Senior Manager, Raw Milk Supply and Production, Mr Snorri Sigurdsson, disclosed that the ultra-modern Arla Farm, covered a land area of 400Ha, and had the capacity to house 400 milking cows and in total, 1,000 animals. It would feature modern technology for optimal animal comfort and milk production.
He said Arla Farm had been developed to be a showcase for sustainable and efficient dairy farming in Nigeria.
