Dairy farm near Moscow sets a major milk yield record
The Shakhovskaya Niva company is constructing a livestock dairy complex in the Moscow region for 2,400 forage cows. The complex is being built according to a customised plan, which aims to achieve an average milk yield of 45 litres per cow per day. This exceeds the current global average of 30-40 litres. The farm is expected to commence operations by the end of 2024 and reach full capacity of 80 tons of milk per day by 2028. The project received investments of 3 billion rubles.
The farm covers an area of 65 thousand square meters, with 20 buildings and structures occupying half of it. The secrets to achieving ultra-high milk yields lie in the farm's structure and animal husbandry technologies, which aim to create greater comfort for the animals. In an interview with the Milk Institute, General Director Rasul Aliyev stated that he was building the farm of his dreams, which he had been working towards for 25 years.
His main goal is to solve the issue of heat stress in cows during the summer. Although cross-ventilation, the only effective existing technology, is rarely used due to economic reasons, Aliyev believes that the additional costs are justified. Statistics show that stuffiness in barns can lead to a reduction in milk yield of up to 30-35%. To address this issue, it is recommended to invest in high-quality beds, an orthopedic hoof treatment machine, and an inseminator.
Additionally, it is important to organize cow logistics within the farm to minimize the distance that animals have to travel to the milking parlor and back, which can be up to 1.5 km. This excessive load can negatively impact the productivity of highly productive cows. At 'Shakhovskaya Niva', everything is arranged compactly, with wider than usual passages for animals to ensure smooth flow.
The farm's compactness reduces maintenance costs, and it is highly automated. The project is expected to have a record payback period of 5.5-6 years, compared to the industry average of 8-10 years.
