By Katie Spring, Communications Manager
Crosswinds Farm & Creamery isn’t your typical dairy.
Their herd of Brown Swiss cows are grass-fed, with calves raised alongside the cows on pasture. They milk the cows just once a day and spend the rest of their time processing that milk into yogurt, cheese, and gelato. In between cow care and milk processing, Crosswinds Farm co-owner Sarah VanOrden Morrow is constantly learning and innovating to build the business.
She and her Technical Assistance provider identified improved herd management as an area of opportunity. This led her to apply for, and receive, a Dairy Farm Innovation & Alternative Management Grant.
With grant funding of $16,464, Crosswinds Farm installed the Smaxtec rumen bolus health monitoring system in June 2023.
The primary goal of the project was to boost farm profitability by increasing milk production through improved pregnancy rates, better cow health, and reduced cull rates. Over the course of one year, the monitoring system delivered substantial results, including a 30% increase in milk production in April and May 2024 compared to the previous year. With ongoing improvements in reproduction and milk production, VanOrden Morrow expects continued gains in profitability.
Along with these improvements, VanOrden Morrow found value in rumination data. In 2023, the monitoring system showed significant daily variations in rumination. By adjusting their grazing strategy and incorporating dry hay, the farmers stabilized rumination patterns, maintaining both milk production and cow health.
To share these results with others, VanOrden Morrow hosted a webinar for dairy farmers and educators.
In the webinar, Sarah shares:
- Why to consider a health monitoring system for your dairy herd
- Details on the Smaxtec rumen bolus system
- Incorporating data into decision making
- Challenges and caveats to consider when choosing a tracking system
The Dairy Innovation & Alternative Management Grant has been updated to be the Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant.
This grant is expected to open again in December 2024. Interested applicants can learn more about the program on the grant webpage.
