The network meeting of the Impulsbetriebe Rind (cattle impulse farms) took place at the Impulsbetrieb Biohof Kinkelbur, which has been family-owned since 1648. The new and old farms got to know each other over coffee and cake at beautifully laid tables. After a round of introductions, Prof. Volker Krömker presented the ten farms with the six most important udder health indicators, which include, for example, the proportion of animals with healthy udders in the herd and the healing rate during the dry period. The farms then had the opportunity to ask individual, farm-specific questions in order to obtain solutions and incentives for improving their own udder health. There was an in-depth discussion on practical aspects of hygiene in relation to udder and calf health. The exchange was further deepened during the subsequent tour of the farm, including a visit to the milking parlour and farm shop.

Fortified with breakfast, the group started the next day with a visit to the diversified, also organically managed, Impuls farm Gut Wilhelmsdorf. First, the two farm managers introduced themselves and reported on their philosophy following the takeover of the farm in 2023. This includes the conversion of the barn facilities for suckler calf rearing. During the tour led by farm manager Maike Schumacher, the participants exchanged ideas about the process and other topics such as pregnancy monitoring and hoof care. They were also given a glimpse of the dairy, the subscription box packing station and the farm shop from outside. During lunch together, numerous ideas for future networking work were exchanged. After a successful event, all participants made their way home, hopefully to return on 17 and 18 June 2025 for the next networking meeting of the Impulsbetriebe Rind.

Author: Anne Zinkowski, FibL Deutschland e.V.