The member of Ukrainian milk producers since 2015

The reconstruction of the farm was started in 2011. First, two free-stall barns for 231 heads each were reconstructed, then in 2014−2015 they reconstructed two more. Also calf pen and pen for youngstock were built.

Before the reconstruction 100 cows were housed at the farm, and in 2013 there were 300 heads. First heifers were bought in Ukraine and 270 — in Czech Republic. All are of Holstein breed.

Now 552 cows are kept at the farm, 462 of them are milking cows. At the end of 2016 there was a plan to increase the milking herd to 612 cows, and in 2018 to have 750−800 cows and to finish the reconstruction.

Average daily milk yield for forage cow is 23 kg, and foe milking cow — 28.1 kg. There are cows whose daily milk yield is 50 kg. Cows with daily milk yield less than 15 kg are culled. Fat content of the milk is 3.6−3.65%,

In 2015 average milk yield per forage cow per year was 7250 kg, in 2016 planned to get 8500 per cow per year.

Cows are milked three times a day in herringbone parlour 2×14 with rapid exit (GEA Westfalia), which was installed in 2013. Full capacity of the parlour is 800 cows per day. Totally they produce 12,900 kg of Extra Grade milk per day.

The feeding of the cows is differentiated, rations are formed for early dry off and close-ups (20 days before calving), milking cows (15−40^th day of lactation, highly-producing and low-producing cows), and foe fresh cows. Groups are formed based on physiological condition. If the cow gives less than 18 kg of milk to 120 days in milk, she is transferred to low-producing cows.

Basic ration includes alfalfa hay, straw, oat, alfalfa and corn silage, feed mix, premix and corn offal. Also, some other components are added to the ration according to the cow’s needs. Feed is delivered twice a day, just dry off cows are fed once a day.

New-born calves are fed the colostrum through the tube, in 12 hours the procedure is repeated. For five days from the birth, the calves are kept in calving pen, where they are trained to water from the bucket. They drink 2 liters of pasteurized milk three times a day. Then calves are transferred in the separate barn and from 5^th to 57^th day they are kept in individual huts.

From 60^th till 6 months' calves are kept in small groups. They are fed feed mix and from 90^th day of birth — TMR. Average daily weight gain is 900 grams.

Heifers are inseminated at 13−14 months when they weight 380 kg. Average calving age is 27 months.