Smallholder dairy production in Southern Vietnam: Production, management and milk quality problems

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the prerequisites for dairy production at smallholder farms in 
Southern Vietnam and to identify the strengths and weaknesses in management at farm level. Data on 
milk production, management routines and heat stress were collected during farmer interviews and field 
observations on 120 smallholder dairy farms. Individual milk samples were taken from 360 cows. The 
average herd contained 12 animals (ranging from 2 to 17), dominated by lactating cows. The main dairy 
breeds were Holstein Friesian crossbreeds, mostly at F2, F3 and F4. The mean Temperature-Humidity 
Index was 81 (range 75 to 97) in the morning and 85 (range 72 to 104) in the afternoon and the mean 
respiration rates for cows were 54 (range 30 to 102) and 70 (range 35 to 116) breaths per minute, with 
mean rectal temperatures of 38.8°C (range 38 to 39) and 39.3°C (range 38.3 - 40.9). The milk somatic cell 
count (SCC) was high in all farms, averaging 1, 300, 000 cells/mL. The strength of the dairy producers 
was their willingness for further education, as 80% of the farmers attended training courses, while poor 
udder health and heat stress were the most pronounced problems.