Regarding fly management, Brent emphasizes the role of allowable vaccinations -"Vaccination protocols - part of a proactive, preventive approach - are high on our list of practices." "Animals aren't crowding around waterers when they arrive at a paddock."įly pressures while cows are on pasture, especially dry cows, and the potential negative consequences for herd health present challenges within the certified organic milk production framework. Water is available at every opening, about every 300 feet. The current system provides needed flexibility during periods of poor pastures so that adequate forages are available during the season to meet production goals.Brent emphasizes the importance of providing plenty of water. The balance is fenced, but not set up for paddocks. Twenty 350 feet by 400 feet paddocks are for rotational grazing of dairy cows, while about 40 additional acres are for heifers. Where cows were expected to travel a half mile or less to pastures, the expanded pasture area meant that cows now travelled up to three quarters of a mile to a mile to access pastures. The decision was to fence off all but 60 of the 260 acres, including extending waterers, to accomplish production goals.
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In 2009, the first full year of organic production, Brent found himself having to rethink the amount of pasture needed.
Regarding Brent's decision to produce certified organic milk, the article states ".he's relieved - and thankful - he decided to go organic."Ĭurrent Practices Result from Challenges Facedīrent cites adjusting to weather uncertainties, for example, the dry summer conditions of 2009 and the negative effects on grass growth, as a challenge. Milk price volatility in the conventional milk market and the desire to avoid the volatility also affected the decision.
a farm that did not require "too many employees, and too much capital investment.".a farm that met the family's financial goals, and.The decision to produce certified organic milk was driven by Brent's desire for The herd currently averages 4.9 percent butterfat, 3.75 percent protein, and somatic cell counts of 120,000. Milk receipts are enhanced beyond a base organic price when butterfat, protein, and quality factors exceed certain levels. "Clipping pastures 2 to 3 times a year to manage weed pressures," and "Not grazing pastures too tall, because they tend to get knocked down" are mentioned as important practices in Grassland Dairy's overall approach to producing quality forages.Ĭows currently produce about 45 to 50 pounds of milk per day.
Rye grass is the primary forage crop, while clovers and orchard grass share the balance. Brent notes that excellent forages, in the form of grown grasses consumed as pasture or as stored baleage, are key to achieving desired results. All other required feeds are purchased - corn grain for the milking herd, calf grains, and a mineral batch. Milking cows are fed grain, while dry cows receive minerals. Two hundred sixty acres of rented tillable land meet the forage needs of the herd.
During the grazing season, dry cows and bred heifers obtain 100 percent of their forage needs from pasture, while milking cows obtain forage needs from pasture and a mixed ration. Today, between 100 and 110 Jersey cows are milked in a conventional swing parlor, and the farm has about 90 replacement animals. Two thousand nine was the first full year of production. The Tillotsons (Brent, Polly, and their twin sons) own and operate a certified organic dairy farm in Pavilion, NY, Genesee County.
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