Calf stable visit on 04.07.2019 at the Koopmann family in Berne
The family has 150 dairy cows, mainly black and colorful Holsteins, 80-90 calves are raised on the farm per year. This year the family decided to rebuild the calf barn to improve the calf's health and for work- economic reasons. Two large pens were built for the calf groups, with a wide feed corridor in between. The machine "Alma Pro 12" is located in a separate room where the milk powder can also be stored directly.
Furthermore, the farmer has installed a windbreak system and the walls of the pens are clad in easy-to-clean plastic. Above the pens there is a storage floor with an high rack through which the hay and straw can easily access the pens.
The family is enthusiastic about the effects of the conversion: respiratory diseases and diarrhoea symptoms have been significantly reduced. The barn is easier to clean out and much drier than before. The family is particularly satisfied with the simple and easy operation of the automatic feeder and the fact that it is now possible to be more flexible in everyday working life due to the independence from fixed feeding times.