"From values to future farming systems"

Brian Madsen

“Milk from hay and grass from a nature conservation area with a mobile milking

robot”

"From values to future farming systems"

How to make milk from hay and grass by Brian Madsen (Denmark)

About me My working system: nature’s dairy in Denmark Type of entrepreneur, company and environment Important factors for success of system

"From values to future farming systems"

Brian Madsen: nature’s dairy in Denmark

Who is Brian Madsen? married, with 4 children owns farm together with

wife

My farm in brief: organic dairy farm further development into

biodynamic farm

My environment: Central Denmark (eastcoast)

"From values to future farming systems"

Brian Madsen: nature’s dairy in Denmark

I’m now involved in setting up a farm that is very similar to Nature’s Dairy. This system appeals to me very much, as it fits very well with my personal goals and company strategy :

An operating system that is as natural as possible Low costs and little external capital Sale of milk as a regional specialty

"From values to future farming systems"

Developments

Developments so far:

Started with 40 cows, first 8 years as a conventional farm, and for the last 8 years as an organic farm

7 years at the present location: 34 hectares in ownership and 16 hectares long-term lease

Curren location was originally a pig farm, and was converted on a low cost budget

200 hectares of natural grass available on the “Barritskov” estate

"From values to future farming systems"

Making milk from hay and grass

The operational system: Organic farming developing into biodynamic farming in the

future Cooperation with a private nature conservation organisation Cows are kept outside as much as possible Cows fed a diet based on hay and grass natural milk with a

distinctive natural taste Cows milked with the aid of a mobile milking robot (under

development) A very simple cowshed for the winter For the time being, a low-cost milking parlour making use of

milking equipment from the old cowshed Milk is sold through a small cooperative as a regional

specialty, making use of sales channel for vegetable packages

"From values to future farming systems"

Making milk from hay and grass

Entrepreneur: Makes his own choices and goes his own way:

organic farming, does not supply to Arla, clearly does not fit into general Danish pattern of expansion/growth, does not have to be the owner of the ground per se

The animal is the focus: if you’re good to the cattle, the cattle will be good to you

Location: Use land that is already available; location sought

appropriate to the desired system Natural environment, providing the cattle with

enough space to live

"From values to future farming systems"

Making milk from hay and grass

Cow

Proper care of the cows provides good results Care for sick cows, and give them the necessary time and

rest they need to recover Provide a natural environment for people as well as

animals Healthy cows give better tasting milk

"From values to future farming systems"

Making milk from hay and grass

Important factors for the success of this system:

Generating sales Relationship with owner of the estate Development of mobile milking robot (not really

indispensable)

"From values to future farming systems"