MANY people would have chosen to retire comfortably at the age of 65, but not Lee Soon Seng, who is determined to venture into dairy farming.
Lee was a poultry farmer for over 20 years before he decided to move on to explore the dairy industry.
He grew Napier grass to be used as fodder for his dairy cows, built a cowbarn and constructed a milk collection centre to store milk.
“I took about 14 months to get everything ready,” he told Buletin Mutiara at his farm in Balik Pulau today.
Lee said he has bought 17 dairy cows and a bull.
“Cattle care is not easy. It requires hard work, patience and passion.
“I have a worker who helps me to take care of the animals.
“Both of us will work together daily, from 5am until evening.
“Among the tasks that need to be done daily are bathing the animals, feeding them, milking the cows and cleaning the cowbarn.
“The milk that is collected must also be cooked for over an hour.
“The milk is also filtered three times,” he said.
Lee said the milk is then bottled and sold to customers.
“We do not add any preservative in the milk,” he said.
He thanked Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and the state authorities for visiting his farm in June this year.
“I hope that the state can assist in giving me more dairy cows.
“I just need more dairy cows to sustain this small farm, especially during this difficult period,” Lee said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud