Innovation, knowledge, and discipline are the foundation of modern dairy farm production

The Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Aquatic Bioresources of the National University of Biotechnology of Ukraine continues to successfully use field trips to the best farms in Ukraine. On April 3, students of the 1st year of the master's degree, 3rd and 4th years of the bachelor's degree, together with scientific and pedagogical workers of the Department of Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology of Animals (Ruban Serhiy Yuriyovych, Lytvynenko Tamara Valentinivna) visited the PSP "Ukraine" of the company "Eridon", which is located in the village of Pochuyki, Popilnyansky district, Zhytomyr region.

The enterprise has been successfully operating since April 17, 2015 and remains one of the first large robotic dairy enterprises in Ukraine. The complex keeps 900 heads of highly productive Holstein breeding cows, which are “served” by 19 robots. During the period of 2024, the farm reached a level of 42 kg of daily milk yield per dairy cow with a total daily sales of 35-36 tons. The Chief Animal Husbandry Manager, Grigory Shumylo explained in detail the technological processes related to standardized feeding, milking, and rearing of replacement young stock, paying particular attention to the quality of the feed of the basic ration of cows. 

Traditionally, dairy calves are kept in individual cages, although to achieve better results, an experiment is being conducted on keeping them in houses. It is planned to achieve kilogram gains, for which an experiment is being conducted on the use of granulated feed and chopped alfalfa hay. A strict system of protocols (the order and time of performance of certain works by the service personnel) is the basis of modern high-tech production. At the same time, all undesirable deviations from the planned operations according to the protocol are recorded, which is then reflected in the wages of the farm workers who must perform them.

The students shared their impressions after the trip.

Oleg Kharchenko: “I am most impressed by the management’s approach to animal welfare and sanitary and epidemiological requirements. Upon entering, they immediately gave out shoe covers, disposable gowns, and conducted a safety briefing. You can feel the high level of discipline and knowledge of the duties of the complex’s working personnel. Feed is regularly checked for chemical analysis, which allows balancing the diet according to a large number of important indicators. "Extra class" milk, which corresponds to the high purchase price."

 Anna Shevchuk: "It was interesting to watch the milking ,,inside” the milking robot. The robot cleans and disinfects the udder itself. The cow "decides" when to be milked. The robot's monitor screen immediately shows data about the animal, how much and what kind of milk is being milked from each teat, which allows you to detect mastitis in time. The robot also analyzes the composition of the milk. If blood gets into the milk, it automatically falls into a separate container and such an animal is promptly treated by veterinarians. After milking, the milk automatically falls into a tank where it is cooled to +4 C0. It was interesting that the cow can be milked no more often than 5 hours after the previous milking, otherwise the robot will not milk such an animal. All these measures minimize manual intervention."

  There were many more impressions, and all of them are positive. The students are satisfied with the trip and express their gratitude to the administration of the farm and the faculty for organizing a surprisingly informative trip.

                                                                                                                                               Demyan SORAK

4th year studentсу