193 Pregnant Jersey A2 Heifers Arrive from Australia to Sarawak, Boosting Local Dairy Self-sufficiency

(Kuching, 18th) A total of 193 pregnant Jersey A2 heifers have successfully arrived in Sarawak from Australia, marking a key step forward for the state in strengthening food security and moving towards its goal of becoming a net food exporter.
With strong support from the Sarawak government, Eco Farm Solutions continues to lead the transformation of the local dairy industry, setting a new benchmark for modern and technology-driven agriculture. According to a press release, the cattle import took place on Tuesday (December 16) at Kuching International Airport, witnessed by Sarawak Deputy Minister for Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Martin Ben and Sarawak Veterinary Services Department (DVSS) Director Datuk Adrian Susin Ambud.
The two leaders emphasized that introducing high-quality dairy cattle is an important initiative to increase Sarawak's milk self-sufficiency, reduce reliance on imported dairy products, and support the state's long-term strategic goal of becoming a net food exporting state.

Eco Farm Solutions, founded in 2018 by the late Dr. Wong Siew Thiam, has had a vision from its inception to build a self-sufficient, technology-driven dairy system in Sarawak. Now, with continued government support, the farm has become a benchmark for modern, scalable dairy operations in the region.
Under the licensing and supervision of the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department, all dairy products from Eco Farm Solutions are certified with the Veterinary Health Mark (VHM), meeting strict animal health, food safety, and hygiene standards. The farm utilizes fully automated, enclosed barn systems, implementing modern intensive breeding methods that align with both state and national agricultural modernization and long-term food security policies.
Currently, the farm owns about 120 heads of cattle, all of whose feed is produced locally. About 200 acres of land are allocated for growing corn, which is fermented into silage, ensuring stable feed quality while driving integrated development of local agriculture.

Eco Farm Solutions is also the first in Malaysia to use a rotary milking parlor. Cows are milked twice daily, with milk transferred directly through a closed pipeline system to bulk milk coolers (BMC), avoiding manual contact and reducing the risk of contamination. The current daily output is about 1,000 liters, averaging 16 liters per cow, with activity and milk yield monitored by pedometers, allowing real-time monitoring, precise herd management, and early detection of health issues.
The farm focuses on producing A2 milk. A2 milk contains only A2 type beta-casein protein and does not contain A1 type beta-casein, which may cause digestive discomfort in some people, making it easier to digest and gentler on the stomach. It is suitable for those sensitive to milk (non-lactose intolerance) and is of higher nutritional value, particularly from Jersey cows.
The farm uses sexed A2 semen for artificial insemination, achieving a 90% female calf birth rate to ensure sustainable herd development and long-term production growth.
With support from the state government’s matching grant scheme, 92 of the 193 heifers brought in this time are directly funded by the government scheme. All imported cows underwent A2 gene certification at laboratory facilities under the Australian government, ensuring authenticity, traceability, and compliance with international standards.
These young heifers are expected to calve in April 2026, by which time the daily local milk output can be boosted to about 5,000 liters, and the farm is expected to expand the herd size to 500 heads by May 2026.

At the welcoming ceremony, Martin stated that this strategic import will significantly enhance Sarawak’s dairy self-sufficiency. Adrian reiterated that the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department will continue to ensure animal health, biosecurity, and product safety as the farm expands.
Currently, Eco Farm Solutions produces about 25 metric tons of pasteurized milk and 2 metric tons of yogurt per month. The product range covers original, chocolate, date, and strawberry flavors for pasteurized milk, yogurt, UHT milk, and ice cream. From pasteurization, UHT processing to aseptic packaging, all processes are strictly quality controlled to ensure freshness, safety, and stability.
With licensing from the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department, VHM-certified products, strong government support, and the successful import of Australian Jersey A2 cattle, Eco Farm Solutions has become a key driver in Sarawak’s journey towards food security and its status as a net food-exporting state.
This expansion not only strengthens local dairy production but also provides Sarawakians with high-quality, nutritious locally produced dairy products, further consolidating public confidence in the development of the state’s agri-food industry.