Australian Cows Drive Malaysian Fresh Milk Production at Johor Farm
Jemaluang Dairy Valley (JDV) in Johor, Malaysia, is at the forefront of strengthening the country's fresh milk industry. Situated on approximately 275 hectares of land in Mersing, the farm has integrated Australian-bred dairy cows into its operations. This initiative is a joint venture between A2 Fresh Holdings Sdn Bhd and Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad, a subsidiary of Johor Corporation (JCorp).
JDV began operations around seven to eight months ago and currently houses 1,900 cows, including calves, after importing 1,000 cows from Australia. Another 500 are expected by the end of the year. These cows, cross-bred for adaptability to Malaysia's climate, play a crucial role in JDV's plan to produce five million litres of fresh milk in its first year, increasing to 10 million litres by the third year.
The farm focuses on producing A2-A2 milk, a type of milk that contains only beta-casein A2 protein, which is considered easier to digest. JDV's cows are DNA-tested in Australia to confirm their A2-A2 status. This segment of milk is primarily imported into Malaysia and sold at a premium, but JDV aims to offer it at a more competitive price.
To support its dairy operations, JDV is constructing a milk processing factory near its milking parlour, set to begin market operations by the second quarter of next year. The farm is also developing a ruminant feed hub and a training centre to support local farmers, addressing challenges such as market access and quality feed availability.
JDV employs modern dairy technologies, including rotary milking systems and smart herd management, enhancing job opportunities beyond traditional farm roles. The farm practices a zero-waste policy, utilizing cow manure as fertilizer, and plans to increase self-sufficiency by cultivating corn for silage.
In addition to milk production, JDV is exploring agro-tourism, initially targeting school visits and later expanding to the public. This move aligns with Malaysia's broader goals of enhancing food security, technology adoption, and local economic development.
