Dear Reader,
I am pleased to welcome you to the first edition of our Dairy Development Newsletter for the year.
The first quarter has already been a defining one for us at Arla Foods Nigeria. We proudly launched the Arla Cool Cow Yoghurt, a product that represents more than just innovation. It reflects our unwavering commitment to quality, nutrition, and local value creation. Made from fresh milk sourced directly from the Arla-Dano Farm, this yoghurt stands as a testament to the potential of locally produced dairy. Together with our Dano brand, it also reinforces our broader role in tackling food insecurity by making nutritious dairy accessible to Nigerian families while continuing to build a strong local dairy value chain.
Our engagement with government stakeholders also took a significant step forward this quarter. During our visit to the Kaduna State Governor, we reinforced our shared ambition to position Kaduna as the dairy capital of Nigeria. This vision is rooted in collaboration, aligning public and private sector efforts to attract dairy sector investments, build infrastructure, empower local farmers, and create a thriving dairy ecosystem that delivers long-term economic and nutritional benefits. We were deeply appreciative of the Governor’s commendation of Arla’s long-term commitment to dairy development in Kaduna State and his assurance of the government’s continued support as we work together to grow a sustainable and resilient dairy ecosystem.
The beginning of the year, however, was not without its challenges. The outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease at our farm tested our resilience. It was a challenging period, but our team responded swiftly, with innovative thinking and strong monitoring. Our expertise helped us maintain our daily milk yield with only a little reduction and keep operations on track. This edition shares more on our learnings and experience on managing the disease.
e also continue to strengthen industry-wide collaboration. Our joint efforts with Danone and FrieslandCampina through a dairy coalition, alongside the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, reflect a unified commitment to advancing Nigeria’s dairy sector. As part of this, we are exploring the development of a national breeding center as a key initiative to accelerate herd quality, productivity, and long-term sustainability of local dairy production. Together, we are working to unlock the full potential of the sector, ensuring that development efforts are coordinated, impactful, and scalable.
As we move forward, we remain focused on our purpose to unlock the highest potential in dairy, while nourishing Nigeria and supporting livelihoods across the value chain.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support and do enjoy the read.
Peder Pedersen MD - Arla Global Dairy Products Ltd.
Managing Foot and Mouth Disease
Highly Contagious Diseases Are Challenging — but Manageable with the Right Actions
Highly contagious livestock diseases are among the most stressful challenges dairy farmers can face. One such disease is Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), a viral infection that affects cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. Infected animals usually develop a fever, followed by blisters or lesions on the mouth, tongue, lips, and around the hooves. A lesser-known but equally problematic symptom is the development of blisters on teat ends, which poses an additional challenge for dairy operations.
These lesions often cause animals to become reluctant to walk or eat, leading to reduced milk production, weight loss, and a general decline in condition. FMD spreads rapidly through direct contact between animals, contaminated equipment, vehicles, clothing, feed, and, in some cases, even through the air. Because of its speed of transmission, FMD can have severe economic consequences if not managed quickly and effectively.
Grading System for FMD
In December 2025, the herd at the Arla-Dano farm experienced an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, requiring immediate and structured action to control its spread. One of the most important lessons from this experience was the value of systematic identification and close monitoring of affected animals.
To support this, a grading system was developed by Arla to classify animals based on the severity of their symptoms. Each grade was linked to a specific action and treatment plan. As soon as an animal showed symptoms, it was moved from the healthy group to an affected group. This approach reduced viral load among healthy animals, enabled better prioritization of care, and significantly limited further spread within the herd.
Protecting the Most Vulnerable Animals
A key priority during the outbreak was early detection among the most vulnerable animals — young calves. To achieve this, all small calves had their temperatures taken twice daily. Any calf showing an increase in temperature was immediately isolated and given pre-treatment. This proactive approach proved highly effective. The spread of the disease among calves was brought under control, and no small calf was seriously affected by the outbreak.
Targeted Care for Affected Animals
Once animals were classified and isolated, daily care was tailored to the severity of their symptoms. All symptomatic animals received pain management to improve comfort and support their ability to eat and move. For animals with reduced feed intake, the energy density of feed was increased, and the Total Mixed Ration (TMR) was chopped extra finely to minimize chewing and ease consumption. Close daily monitoring allowed treatments to be adjusted as needed and ensured that changes in condition were identified early. This targeted approach ensured that animals received care proportional to their needs while supporting recovery and reducing the overall impact of the disease on the herd.
Additional Biosecurity Measures
Strict isolation of affected animals was critical in slowing the spread of the virus. Additional biosecurity measures included:
- A complete ban on visitors to the farm
- No movement of animals on or off the farm
- Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of facilities, equipment, and vehicles
- Restricted internal movement of staff between healthy and affected animal groups
Together, these measures helped contain the outbreak and prevented a rapid escalation of cases within the herd.
The Role of Vaccination
Vaccination remains a critical tool in protecting livestock against Foot-and-Mouth Disease. In Africa, FMD is particularly complex due to the presence of multiple virus serotypes, which complicates vaccine selection and control efforts. Despite this challenge, a well-structured vaccination programme can prevent infection in many animals, reduce disease severity in those that become infected, and limit viral spread within the herd.
At the Arla-Dano farm, vaccination is extensive and systematic, ensuring animals receive timely protection against FMD and other contagious diseases. This proactive approach complemented biosecurity and targeted care measures and likely contributed to the limited overall impact of the outbreak.
Lessons Learned
- Preparation is Key: Having a disease-response plan in place reduces panic and enables swift, structured action.
- Systematic Grading Works: Clear, objective classification supports targeted care and efficient use of resources.
- Biosecurity Matters: Basic hygiene practices and controlled movement significantly reduce virus transmission.
- Animal-Centric Care Improves Outcome: Adjusting feed and treatment to animal needs supports faster recovery.
- Vaccination Makes a Difference: Strong vaccination programmes reduce mortality and production losses.
- Patience and Observation Are Essential: Recovery takes time, and daily monitoring is critical to prevent complications.
Conclusion and Outbreak Results
Managing highly contagious diseases such as FMD is challenging, but the Arla-Dano farm experience shows that, with the right measures, outbreaks can be effectively controlled.
For us, the results were significant: out of nearly 400 animals, only one animal was lost, and overall milk yield loss remained below 20%, far lower than typically expected during an FMD outbreak. This experience clearly demonstrates how early detection, grading-based interventions, and disciplined biosecurity can substantially reduce the impact of highly contagious diseases.
Soil Sampling on Dairy Farms
Efficient forage production is a cornerstone of profitable dairy farming. Crops such as maize, grass, and forage sorghum form the backbone of silage fed to dairy cattle throughout the year, making both yield and silage quality critically important. One of the most effective management practices for achieving this is regular soil sampling, which provides farmers with valuable insight into the nutrient status of their fields and supports more precise and cost‑effective fertilizer use.
Soil testing reveals the availability of key nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), as well as soil pH - factors that directly influence crop performance. It also indicates the availability of essential micronutrients such as zinc, boron, copper, manganese, and iron, which are required in small amounts but are critical for plant health, growth, and crop quality. Without reliable soil test data, farmers risk under-fertilising, which limits crop growth and yield, or over-fertilising, which increases costs and raises the risk of nutrient losses to the environment.
Because nutrient needs vary by crop and from field to field, soil sampling ensures fertilizer applications are matched to actual requirements. This is particularly important for silage maize, a high‑yielding but nutrient‑demanding crop that relies heavily on adequate nitrogen for biomass production and potassium for plant health, water regulation, and stress tolerance.
Accurate soil testing depends on representative sampling. This involves collecting multiple soil cores - typically 15 to 20 - from across a field in a zig‑zag pattern, mixing them into a single composite sample, and sending it for laboratory analysis. Samples are usually taken from the top 15 - 20 cm of soil and should avoid atypical areas such as manure heaps, wet spots, or field edges.
By regularly sampling soils, analyzing them and then adjusting fertilizer strategies accordingly, dairy farmers can improve forage yields, maintain long‑term soil fertility, and reduce unnecessary input costs. Soil sampling is therefore a simple yet powerful tool for supporting sustainable and productive dairy farming.
Why Regular Heifer Weighing Matters
Monitoring the growth of young stock is essential to long‑term dairy farm performance, and regularly weighing heifers is a simple yet highly effective management practice. By tracking body weight at key stages — such as birth, weaning, six months, and around one year — farmers gain valuable insight into growth rates and can assess whether feeding and management programmes are supporting optimal development.
Birth weight provides an early indication of calf vitality and calving success, while weighing at weaning helps evaluate the effectiveness of milk feeding and early nutrition. Further measurements at six months and one year are particularly important for determining whether heifers are on track to reach breeding weight at the right age. Heifers that grow too slowly may reach puberty and calve later than planned, increasing rearing costs, while excessively rapid growth can result in over‑conditioned animals with a higher risk of calving difficulties and reduced lifetime milk production.
Weight measurements can be taken using a livestock scale, as practised at the Arla–Dano farm, but reliable estimates can also be obtained using a specially designed weight tape. The tape is placed around the chest just behind the front legs, and the measured girth is converted into an estimated body weight. This method is quick, inexpensive, and practical for farms without access to weighing equipment.
By recording weights regularly, farmers can track growth trends, identify nutrition or health issues early, and make timely management adjustments. Regular weighing is therefore a straightforward but powerful tool for raising healthy, productive cows and improving the efficiency and sustainability of dairy operations.
YouGot It! - Arla Cool Cow Yoghurt
Arla Cool Cow Yoghurt has officially arrived!
As part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s dairy value chain, Arla Foods Nigeria recently launched the Arla Cool Cow Yoghurt, a product firmly rooted in local milk production and value addition. Officially introduced in February 2026, Cool Cow Yoghurt represents another important step in converting on-farm investments into high-quality, nutritious dairy products for Nigerian consumers, while creating sustainable demand for locally produced fresh milk.
Produced using 100% fresh milk sourced directly from the Arla–Dano Farm in Kaduna, the yoghurt’s smooth texture, creamy consistency, and balanced taste are a direct reflection of quality milk production, good animal management, and controlled processing. Beyond its refreshing taste, the Arla Cool Cow Yoghurt offers a convenient and nourishing option that fits easily into everyday consumption moments.
The introduction of the Arla Cool Cow Yoghurt reinforces Arla’s broader objective of improving nutrition, supporting local farmers, and advancing sustainable dairy development in Nigeria, while proving that locally produced milk can meet both market expectations and consumer enjoyment.
Bulls for Sale
At the Arla‑Dano Farm, we primarily use sexed semen, which means the majority of calves born are heifers. While the process is highly effective, it is not 100% precise, and a small number of bull calves are occasionally produced. Once these bulls reach the appropriate age, they are carefully assessed by our trained team, and those that meet our standards are offered to Nigerian dairy farmers as high‑quality breeding bulls. We are pleased to announce that we currently have three 100% purebred Holstein bulls ready to move to new farms across Nigeria.
The bulls are:
Collaborating to Strengthen Nigeria’s Dairy Sector
The Dairy Coalition of the Willing, comprising three global dairy companies operating in Nigeria - Arla Foods Nigeria, Danone FanMilk, and FrieslandCampina Wamco recently engaged with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in Abuja, led by the Honourable Minister, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha. The meeting focused on collaborative initiatives aimed at accelerating local milk production and strengthening Nigeria’s dairy sector.
The engagement highlighted strong alignment between government and private sector partners and explored key opportunities for collaboration, including a proposed breeding centre project as an initial step toward improving cattle genetics and boosting dairy productivity. To advance this initiative, the Honourable Minister constituted a joint technical committee tasked with developing an activity plan to guide implementation.
As a coalition, the shared objective is to support stronger backward integration and enhance dairy productivity through improved genetics and closer collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock Development. By combining global expertise with Nigeria’s significant dairy potential, the coalition aims to unlock sustainable growth and long-term resilience across the sector.
Visit to His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani
We recently held a highly productive engagement with Kaduna State Governor, His Excellency Senator Uba Sani, alongside senior government officials, during which we shared progress updates from the Arla–Dano Farm in Damau. The session provided an opportunity to demonstrate how our continued investments, sustainable practices, and backward integration efforts are delivering tangible impact across the dairy value chain — creating quality jobs, strengthening technical capacity, and building local expertise. During the visit, we also introduced Cool Cow Yoghurt, our newly launched product made with 100% fresh milk sourced directly from our Kaduna farm. This milestone reflects our ability to translate local milk production into high-quality, value‑added dairy products produced in Nigeria, for Nigeria.
The Governor and the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Murtala Dabo, shared encouraging updates on the Damau Household Milk Farm Project, confirming that the initiative is set to commence in the near future. The project will establish clusters of smallholder farmers around the Arla–Dano Farm, with Arla serving as the primary off‑taker—marking a significant step toward strengthening Kaduna State’s dairy ecosystem.
We appreciate the Governor’s recognition of our long‑term commitment and are encouraged by the state’s continued collaboration as we work together to build a more resilient, modern, and sustainable dairy sector in Kaduna and across Nigeria.
Visit the Arla-Dano Farm
At Arla Foods Nigeria, we continue to welcome partners, institutions, and stakeholders who are keen to experience modern dairy farming firsthand. The Arla-Dano Farm functions not only as a production site, but also as a practical learning hub where visitors gain real‑world insights into dairy and veterinary practices.
Institutions, schools, government bodies, and industry groups are invited to book guided farm tours, offering an opportunity to observe our operations up close, from animal care and milking processes to quality control and sustainability practices. The farm also features a dedicated meeting room that accommodates up to 40 participants, making it well suited for workshops, knowledge‑sharing sessions, and capacity‑building programmes. Whether for academic learning, professional training, or stakeholder engagement, the Arla-Dano Farm provides a hands‑on environment that brings theory to life and supports the development of skills needed to grow Nigeria’s dairy sector.
For more information or to schedule a visit, please get in touch with us.
