cows and milk
Cows significantly contribute to maintaining soil fertility in agriculture. They have ruminant stomachs – stomach with four separate compartments (the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum and the abomasum). The rumen is the largest part of the cow's stomach. It contains enzymes that start the digestion process, breaking down indigestible material for humans (grass, hay, straw). In the reticulum, in symbiosis with microorganisms, the cows can exchange food from meadows for milk and meat. The by-product of the digestive process is manure, which is essential for building soil fertility. In the composting process, cow manure and liquid manure are mixed with other farm wastes (old grass, woodchips, straw, wood ash, peat).
Hay milk
Juchowo Farm produces high quality Demeter milk. Apart from using it as drinking milk, this milk is processed into a variety of products such as cheese and yogurt with high quality and nutritional values. Our own studies have proven that the milk from Juchowo contains high-value omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), especially if it comes from cows during grazing on the meadows. This milk is safe even for people with milk allergies.
Cows
A herd of 360 cows include three breeds: Holstein Frisian (HF), Braun Swiss (BS) and the Polish Red (RP). Breeding of these races takes place in accordance with the rules of breeding for longevity. The basis of this type of breeding is the selection of animals in terms of longevity, which is reflected in the numerous calves, in the growing milk yield to the age of 7-8 years and in high overall milk yield during life. Thus, the average age of the herd also increases. It is important that cows first calving was only at the age of 2,5 years, the amount of milk from the first lactation is not treated as a selection criterion. The first lactation is only so-called the training phase, so that the animal can further develop physically.
Stables
Cows are placed in stables divided into 6 parts: calf stable, three parallel stables for 100 dairy cows each, stable for dry cows and stable for young animals. The zones are separated from each other by bars and catwalks. A large amount of wood was used to build the stables. The buildings are bright and the smell in them is pleasant and fresh, because the hay fodder reduces the production of ammonia. All stables have a similar arrangement: a rest zone (calm), a catwalk zone and a food zone (movement). Each part of the rest zone consists of wide lying boxes, built in the form of a wide trough with compost and straw.
According to Demeter guidelines, part of the run-up areas is not roofed, so that the animals can be outdoors, in the sun and in the rain. Stocking density is 15 m2 space per head. Manure is stored and liquid manure is collected in the back of the stables. The liquid manure tank has the capacity which allow to store whole winter amount of liquid manure diluted with rainwater. Breeding bulls are kept in the front of the stables, in large boxes, four in each. Also, in the front there are three boxes for calving and single boxes for calves up to 14 days old.
Milking parlor
In the central place next to the stables, there is a parlor, where it is possible to milk 2 x 16 cows at the same time. Thanks to this, dairy cows from three stables can be milked twice a day.
Cows with horns
Our cows have horns. Therefore, animals are treated gently and encouraged rather than rushed in order to eliminate aggressive animal behaviour. Harmony in the herd is possible thanks to feeding of hay as a basic food, placing in groups of 100 dairy cows, calm and gentle treatment by workers, and adequate space between feed ladders and catwalks.
Udders
To maintain the stable condition of udders, all animals are tested after calving for euteropatogenic microorganisms that cause mastitis. The animals return to the group after their good condition is confirmed.
Pregnant cows
Dry cows from three herds are divided into two groups and are placed in a stable with deep litter. Pregnant cows are heavy, move slowly and require a soft ground to lie down. The stable with deep bedding is the most suitable for this purpose. Pregnant animals receive appropriate feed, and we pay attention that they do not receive too much energy and thus do not put on fat. In addition, the right selection of feed ensures the correct balance of calcium absorption after calving.
Calving
One week before calving, the cows are transported to the calf boxes, in which there are 2-3 cows. Here the calving takes place – usually by the natural method, without any help. In the first 3-5 days mother and child are together. It is important that the calves receive enough colostrum in the first 24 hours. After this time, the calves are separated into individual boxes, where for 14 days they learn to drink acidified milk from a bottle. Then the calves in groups of 10-12 animals go to a separate building – calf stable. Here they receive special food (milk, short cut hay, concentrate) and they can choose to stay on the padded catwalk or in hutches. After 3-4 months, the young animals go to the stables with lying boxes. It is only in the second year of life the animals go to pastures and are naturally mated.
Additional information
- Herd: 650 animals, among them 360 dairy cows
- Milk yield: 5.500 l / cow / year
- Young stock: 275 animals
- Feed in 97% from own farm
- Grazing in the meadows: May – October
