Member of Association of Dairy Producers of Ukraine

The complex is unique by its 5,000 herd of Brown Swiss dairy cattle, placed at the same producing platform. This breed is famous for its calm and a positive reaction to people. Milk of Brown Swiss dairy cows is characterized by high content of fat and protein.

In 2015 average milk yield per cow per year was 10 thousand kg for the 305 days of lactation period, average fat content is 4,2−4,4%, and protein — 3,5%.

The first line of the complex is milking parlor and barns for cows.

During winter the air inside stays warm while in summer — not hot, because of special double-panels which were used while constructing the roof of the barn.

Temperature detector and curtains are set in barns. If detector gives warning signal of substantial temperature change, curtains open and close automatically. For better air circulation during summer fans are turned on.

In holding area there are sprinklers and fans.

There are also sprinklers in the barns in the project, but it doesn’t work yet.

Special mattresses which replicate the shape of animal’s body and create supplementary comfort during the rest are used in the stalls. The top of mattresses are covered with fine sawdust mixed with calx to absorb the excess moisture.

There is daylight illumination and night-time lighting (infrared) light.

Manure from the sections is removed by bobket when animals go to the parlour.

Dairy cows are kept in two barns for 600 stalls.

Each barn contains of 4 sections for 150 heads. Cows have access outside.

Cows are milked three times a day at 8-hour interval in «parallel” 2×20 (DeLaval).

Only one section of dry off cows is milked once a day.

Every week about 20 cows are dried off: they change their diet to dry off ration and are milked only once a day.

In a week they are stopped being milked and their teats are sealed.

By the 40th day of lactation animals are not inseminated, but are monitored for heat.

When the animal is in heat, it is recorded to database.

From the 40th to 46th day of lactation, in weekly rhythm, cows are examined by ultrasound to diagnose and prevent gynecological diseases.

If the animal is sick it will be treated. If cow is healthy, it comes to artificial insemination (AI) technician.

The period from 40^th to 85th day of lactation is a period when cows are in active monitoring of spontaneous heat and insemination.

In 32nd days after the artificial insemination, the cow’s pregnancy is diagnosed by ultrasound.

If cow is not in heat after 85 days, it is hormonally stimulated.

Feed is distributed three times a day. The concentrate content is about 50%.

In one of the barns robot is used to push up the feed. Motion path of this robot is scheduled. It can be easily programmed.

Young animals are kept in the second line. Buildings are reconstructed. Calves come here on a 5^th day after birth.

They are kept in small groups (heifers and bulls separately). Section for 10 calves is formed in 3—4 days.

In groups calves socialize, eat feed and get accustomed to any changes better imitating each other. Calves drink milk twice a day — 3 kg each time.

Drinking bowls are designed for 12 calves and 12 nipples.

Average age for first insemination is 15—16 months.

One peculiarity is that there are sections for bulls placed between heifers sections. Their close presence helps to produce the correct cycle, because heifers come in heat almost simultaneously. It simplifies the work of AI technician and ensures regularity of calvings.

They have their own laboratory for controlling milk and forage quality.

They produce 50 ton of milk per day.