Nik Syazwan (right) and Muhammad Naim on their milking rounds at the farm in Jeram Mengaji, Pasir Puteh. — Photos: Bernama
Pasir Puteh dairymen say work may not be easy, but they take pride in contributing to nation’s food security
MORNINGS at a dairy farm in Jeram Mengaji, Pasir Puteh in Kelantan, begin with the hum of milking machines.
SRZ Ternak produces more than milk; it is ensuring food security through systematic farm management.
Farm manager Nik Syazwan Najmi Sukeri said operations involved feeding cattle, monitoring their health and stall-cleaning to ensure hygienic milking and consistent production.
The 16.19ha farm has 58 cows yielding an average 70kg of milk per day.
“Caring for dairy cows requires a high level of discipline, as they are easily stressed.
“They need to be bathed twice a day, provided with sufficient feed and housed in a comfortable environment to maintain both the quality and quantity of milk,” he told Bernama.
The facility on 16.19ha of land has 58 dairy cows and produces an average 70kg of milk per day.
He said cleanliness was a top priority to comply with standards set by the authorities and regular monitoring by Kelantan Veterinary Services Department before the milk can be processed or marketed.
Fresh milk is used in various dairy-based products such as curd, yoghurt and buttermilk, aside from being sold directly to consumers through e-commerce sites.
“Demand usually increases during the school holidays and weekends, requiring production to be ramped up.”
Besides having an on-site processing facility, the farm features sales kiosks and a mini zoo with animals like ostriches, horses, deer, buffalo, geese and ducks.
On operational challenges, Nik Syazwan said animal feed constituted the largest cost and could hit over RM10,000 monthly.
On the plus side, the cattle had pasture for grazing and the farm, being on high ground, was not affected by floods, he said.
In addition to contributing to local food production, the farm serves as a learning and research site with the involvement of tertiary institutions like Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) and Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA).
Farmhand Wan Muhammad Iman Wan Rosli said his routine starts at 10am with bathing the cows followed by the milking process, which takes about an hour, and bringing them to pasture for grazing at 12.30pm.
It is physically demanding and dirty work due to the manure, but he doesn’t mind, and even knows all the cows by name such as Ruji, Betik, Wahab, Najwa, Aidil, Ipin and Paidin.
Another farmhand, Muhammad Naim Al-Hafiz Mohd Razwan, said his duties included feeding the livestock, cleaning their stalls and assisting during calving which required a high level of skill and patience.
“Each cow has a different temperament. Some are sensitive and easily startled.
“A wrong move could result in being kicked or butted, and I have experienced that.”
The fourth of five siblings said he was not embarrassed by his job, as he was picking up a skill and earning income to help his family.
