Following the successful first face-to-face meeting of the Impulsbetriebe Rind network, twelve farms set off for Naumburg this time, despite some cancellations due to illness. The second meeting of the Impulsbetriebe Rind network took place there on 1 and 2 March to exchange technical information and visit two farms in Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. The meeting was accompanied by Mr Enke and Ms Deeg from the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food, which is acting as the project sponsor. The meeting began with a round of introductions and a discussion of current animal welfare issues that are currently affecting the Impulsbetriebe. The rearing of calves was a frequently mentioned topic. On the one hand, this was against the backdrop of the amendment to the Animal Welfare Transport Ordinance (especially bull calves of dairy breeds), and on the other hand, with a view to the form of milk supply (ad libitum, cow-bound rearing, feeding duration, etc.) as well as the introduction of group housing as early as possible. Sustainability issues (climate relevance of cows, emission reduction, etc.) also played a role.

In the late afternoon, the farms set off for the Prießnitz agricultural company. Farm manager Patrick Zier had already extended the invitation to visit during the last network meeting. Unfortunately, he was unable to attend due to illness, but his father and employees divided the attendees into two groups and gave them a tour of the farm, where everyone was able to see the well-maintained herd of 200 cows, which is milked using AMS. The calves and young cattle are kept in cleverly converted old system stables and impressed with their excellent constitution.

After dinner together, Prof. Dr. Olaf Steinhöfel addressed the topic of protein in feed in a very comprehensive presentation. The focus was on the question of protein utilisation by ruminants and usable protein sources. Although the lecture went over time, there was also a lot of discussion and many questions. Late into the night, long and intense conversations continued. The next morning, however, the group set off punctually for Thuringia to visit the Pfiffelbach agricultural company. From the gallery overlooking the milking carousel, Lars Fliege presented the farm while serving fresh milk and biscuits. With a good 1,200 cows, the dimensions of the farm were impressive, and the group eagerly made their way to the stables to see the cows and calves. Herd manager Katharina Witt showed them the newly built open-front barn for the calves, and in the spacious cowsheds, they talked shop about the deep litter boxes, which are strewn with pressed manure, the paved walking areas and the feeding. At lunchtime, almost everyone took the opportunity to conclude the network meeting with a meal together and discuss further planned events. Everyone agreed that the very heterogeneous group constellation of the impulse farms (large-small, intensive-extensive, organic-conventional, north-south-east-west) is an enrichment for all and that the next meeting is eagerly awaited.

Author: Dr Gudrun Plesch, FiBL Deutschland e.V.