Economic impact of selected milk production determinants on milk production in the Sudan : a case of belgravia dairy farm

Abstract EN

This study aimed at examining the impact of some of the main factors (ration composition,temperature,rainfallandmilkingnumbers)affectingmilk production on the quantity of milk produced by Belgravia farm during the period 1984-2002.

Both primary and secondary data were used although secondary data was the main data sources.

Secondary data was collected from Belgravia Dairy Farm's records and Metrological Corporation.

Regression analysis technique was used to attain the stated objectives.

The results of the selected multiple linear regression model revealed that the coefficients on forages for both Berseem (Medicago sativa) (0.037) and Abu-70 (Sorghum bicolor L Moench) (0.045) were found to be highly significant with positive signs; indicating that a unit increase ineachoftheindependentvariable(BerseemandAbu-70)increasemilk production by the corresponding amount of elasticity.

On the other hand, the impact of other explanatory variables (concentrates, temperature, rainfall and milking numbers) on milk production were found to be insignificant though got a negative sign, except the last one.

This indicates that, concentrates used by Belgravia Dairy Farm were more than the required.

Accordingly, to improve the farm milk production, rations are to be carefully prepared taking in mind the positive impacts of forages (Berseem and Abu-70) and negative effects of concentrates onmilk production, that is, forages and concentrates are to be used economically.