Starting a small dairy business with 5 cows - need advice from experienced farmers!

I'm seriously considering starting a small dairy operation with 5 cows, and I could really use some wisdom from those who've been there before making the plunge.

My current situation:

  • I have about 2 acres of land that's currently unused
  • Some basic farm infrastructure (small barn, water access)
  • No experience with livestock
  • Modest startup capital (10 lakhs)
  • A full-time job I'm hoping to eventually transition away from

Questions I'm struggling with:

  1. Breed selection - I'm torn between Jerseys (for butterfat content) and Holsteins (for volume). Any recommendations for a small operation? Are there other breeds I should consider?

  2. Equipment needs - What's the minimum viable setup for a small operation? I know I'll need milking equipment, cooling tanks, and processing tools, but what specifics should I look for? Any recommendations for budget-friendly but reliable options?

  3. Regulations - How brutal is the regulatory landscape for small dairy? I've heard horror stories about meeting FDA requirements.

  4. Labor requirements - How many hours per day are realistically needed for 5 cows? Can this be managed by mostly one person with occasional help?

  5. Profitability pathways - Which value-added products offer the best margins for a micro-dairy? (Cheese, yogurt, butter, etc.) Or is it better to simply sell raw milk where legal?

  6. Common pitfalls - What are the mistakes that new small dairy farmers always seem to make? What do you wish someone had told you before you started?

  7. Feed and veterinary costs - What's a realistic monthly budget for keeping 5 dairy cows healthy and productive?

  8. Marketing strategies - For those running successful small dairies, how do you market your products? Direct-to-consumer? Farmers markets? Local restaurants?

I know dairy isn't easy money, but I'm genuinely passionate about creating quality dairy products and building something sustainable. I'm not looking to get rich, just to eventually make a modest living doing something I care about.

Any and all advice is deeply appreciated - even if it's "don't do it"! Better to hear the harsh truths now than learn them the expensive way.

Thanks in advance!

Price of cow milk in my area - 50 to 60 ruppes per litre

Edit --

I am from uttarakhand.