We want a modern farm!

Very few milk producers from Moldova can be convinced of the benefits of the modern cattle farm pattern. The Moldovans are reluctant to accept the idea that the modern cowsheds, which are cold in winter, provide the necessary comfort for the animals. Their main benefits are, on one hand, good ventilation, gas discharge, and animal-walking without any impediments. On the other hand, these farms ensure an increase of the productivity and profits for their owners, and also allow them to manage a larger number of animals with minimum staff.

A modern farm, equipped and mechanized according to the latest trends, is likely to appear by the fall of the year 2011 in Ghiliceni, Teleneşti. "We want a modern farm, given the one we have right now is operating based on obsolete principles, says Vasile Luţcan, manager of "Goloseevo" LTD, located in the same village. – Currently, in the Teleneşti district there are only two dairy farms, including the one we own. If it’s easier for those who lease their land compared to us, I believe it because they do not consider the future. For me, farming without livestock is hard to imagine, given these two activities are interrelated."

After being a construction worker for several years in Ukraine, and also after working on modern farms, Vasile Luţcan has started his own farm three years ago, in his native village. He has bought an old Soviet farm, which was in an advanced state of destruction, renovated one of the stables and bought 40 breeding heifers. "We need more workers at the farm now, about 40 people, which makes it not profitable. There are also many operations that we cannot mechanize, the businessman states. – We had different local and Romanian specialists as consultants and they all told us you cannot build a modern farm in an old barn."

The "Goloseevo" LTD manager mentions there are farms in the U.S., similar to the one he wants to build, farms which own 200-300 cows, and are only managed by 5 or 6 people. This made him apply for free consultancy provided by Farmer-to-Farmer Program, implemented in our country by the USAID-funded organization CNFA. Vasile Luţcan states it was easy for him to work with an American consultant. "The expert has quickly discovered things we did not know, gave us advice on building cowsheds, milking parlors, and forage facilities, he adds. We were taught before the cows are to be kept in warmth during the winter, while the Americans believe they are more afraid of heat than of cold. The cowsheds the Americans own do not require large expenses as the ones we own, and don’t even have windows."

In about a month, "Goloseevo" LTD representatives are planning to begin the construction of a new farm, with a total area of 5 hectares. Its planned initial capacity is of 220 cows. Based on the recommendation of the American expert, the project has also included the possibility to expand the farm in the future by the successors and increase its capacity up to 400 heads. The estimated construction costs are to be calculated by the same consultant from the U.S. Construction works alone require about 1.5 million lei.

"We don’t know yet how it will go, considering the way we were taught to work, Vasile Luţcan says. – We hope to learn from Americans, and make this farm a place where the employees could earn at least 6-7 thousand lei per month, while also being involved in more activities to keep them busy the whole day. When the consultant told us a 200-head cow farm is managed by five people only, who also grow alfalfa, mow and prepare forage, we could not believe it."

Currently, the Ghiliceni businessman is waiting for new recommendations from the American consultant in order to start building the new farm. The "Goloseevo" LTD manager also hopes to benefit from free American consultancy in sheep breeding. Regarding the cows, he believes he should switch to a new race, given the 40 heifers he currently owns are only for meat and milk. "Goloseevo" LTD also owns 50 breeding sows and a sheepfold. Moreover, fruit and vegetables, wheat, corn and sunflower are cultivated on an agricultural land with a total surface of 800 hectares.

The American expert Michael Brugger, PhD, specializing in cowshed design, is convinced the project that was developed for the "Goloseevo" LTD will be a successful one. "The host has traveled a lot, was open for new ideas, and understood everything rather quickly, the expert states." Michael Brugger mentions the project was developed for a completely new farm. Within the cowshed perimeter, the cows will have the freedom to walk and to satisfy their every need. There will be enough oxygen in the same room, while the animals will have fresh food and clean water at all times. This will be a simple cowshed, without thermal insulation, and with natural ventilation resulting from free air circulation. There will be a separate facility besides the cowshed – the milking Center, which will include the milking parlors, the waiting area, and the rooms for the milking equipment. There will also be storage rooms for the feed – hay, silage, and straw. A garbage disposal system is included as well.

The expert has mentioned the American free stall farm system was developed in the fifties or the sixties of the last century and has greatly evolved over the time. "We want to help the businessmen to avoid the mistakes we made in the past", Michael Brugger states. According to the expert, the benefits of the American system are related to the establishment of a healthier environment for the cows, where the animals are easier to be cared for. There is also more profit, considering more animals can be cared for by the same staff.

Given the existing changes in the climate, the expert recommends taking steps for cooling the cowsheds, such as spraying and installing fans. "If cooling is not provided, the productivity begins to decrease. At a 25°C temperature, the cows are beginning to suffer from heat. " The expert is also concerned with the quality of the concrete in the cowsheds, which he believes to be a very big issue for Moldova. "A more solid concrete would serve longer, while the costs would decrease."

Regarding cow comfort, the American guest states it is more necessary in the waiting area before the milking. Moreover, a quite comfortable animal sheet is considered the sand – a practice widely used in several U.S. regions, but not used at all in Moldova. The volunteer has also had many discussions with the Moldovan farmers on the modern methods of separating sand from garbage, with or without water use.

Michael Brugger has visited our country between July 19 and August 3 in order to assist Goloseevo LTD in finishing the cowshed construction plans in accordance with modern standards. The expert has also contributed to the development of blueprints and the display sketches of the new cowshed, and has provided consultancy on construction materials and equipment selection. Furthermore, the expert has assisted Goloseevo LTD management in developing a schedule for the construction activities and the milk production expanding process.

In order to learn more about the assistance that is provided with the support of the Farmer-to-Farmer Program, you can access the web page www.cnfa.md or contact us by e-mail at info@moldova.cnfa.org.