Milking machine price is a key factor before buying the equipment. The main function of a milking machine is to extract milk from dairy animals without using human labor. This article examines the milking machine prices in Kenya and their suitability for small or big farms.
Importance of milking machines
Hand milking is suitable and convenient in farms holding 1-5 herds. However, it is unsuitable for large farms because manual milking consumes maximum labor.
In general, milking machines aid in reducing labor costs. Milking dozens of cows is a difficult task, and most farmers will hire extra help to help them complete it. This increases the amount of money you have to spend by paying for all of the extra help, which isn’t ideal in any situation.
This is true not only in terms of money; trying to milk several cows on your own consumes a lot of energy. A milking machine relieves you of both burdens and is an excellent piece of farm equipment.
They are easy to operate and have low power consumption. Most importantly, machine milking is more hygienic, smooth, and efficient. This enhances production and income.
Availability of milking machines
There are various dealers of milking machines in Kenya. Some of them are manufactured locally, but most sellers import these products. A Google search of these machines in Kenya shows how popular they have become locally.
Determining factors
In order to keep updated with the ever-changing technology, suppliers in Kenya are adopting innovative ideas in this field. This is to ensure that they remain competitive in the market as well. One of the key factors determining the installation of a milking machine is the size of the herd. It may be more economical to buy one for more than one cow. Again, while a small herd requires a small machine, a bigger herd requires larger and more complex ones.
Milking machines of various types
It is important to know that there are various milking machines, each with a different size and method of extracting milk. This fact directly impacts the milking machine price in Kenya; the more automatic the machine, the higher the price.
However, suppose you have many cows but want to save money by going with something other than the most expensive option. In that case, cheaper alternatives can service multiple cows while requiring an additional workforce.
Small herds
The price of these machines varies according to type, model, infrastructure, and level of automation. Most importantly, the milking machine price is determined by the size of the dairy herd. These machines are suitable for small to medium size farms.
Big herds
Large farms have no option but to acquire milking machines in order to minimize costs associated with manual milking. Again, using machines for big herds ensures comparatively safe and clean milk production. For this category, the double cow milking machine is recommended. The equipment milks 20-24 cows per hour.
Conclusion
Although milking machines can stimulate milk production and income, they are not advisable for small herds. Again it is important to consider the price before buying the equipment. It is also important to note that the labor cost in Kenya is not high. However, where labor cost is high, automation is necessary. Significantly, the prices of these machines are determined by the size of the herd, model, and level of automation. Source: https://milkingmachines.co.ke