Romania Case farm 2

See the sustainability assessment Romanian case farm 2(pdf)

Global low input approach
This low-input dairy farm is located in the North region of the Romanian Plain (Southern Romania). It is a specialized dairy farm, which produces its own feeds (hay, cereals) and has high access to the common land (more than enough). The import of feeds has only diet balancing reasons. It uses the buildings of the former dairy communist cooperative: basic infrastructure, tethered cows (head to head, central feeding alley, etc.). The farm is run by the family (2 members) supplemented by three long-term workers, doesn’t use bank loans and has a global low-input approach (in terms of investments, financials, feeding, fertilizers, etc.). Milk is sold through a single outlet (a milk dispenser placed in a nearby large town) which is very good for the current profitability but has potentially adverse effects on farm resilience. Feeding is based on pasture (in the summer time) and hay plus bulk forages in the winter time (no use of silages) while the concentrate feeds are minimal (brans, meals).

Farm type:
Low-input dairy cows


Staff: 2 family members, 3 hired staff


Livestock:
Dairy cows: 32 + followers
Milk production:
(litres per cow per year): 3750

Land data:
Size: 89 ha
Soil type: Heavy
GLU -Grazing livestock units pr ha: 0,58

Forage and land use:
Pasture (permanent): 60 ha
Other forage crops: 17 ha
Cereals: 12 ha

Feeding:
About 80% of the feeding is roughage (pasture / hay + bulk forages)

 

Local engagement:
Farmer is open to visits and public access, provided the specific regulations are observed. The whole milk production is sold in the nearby town, through a milk dispenser.

Energy usage per year:
Tractor diesel: 7000 litres
Electricity (farm usage only): 9600 Kw hours


Total NPK balance in kg:

N

P

K

Inputs kg/ha

7,016

274

292

Outputs kg/ha

2,486

526

1,910

Balance (kg/ha)

4,530

-251

-1,618

Efficiency of use
(ratio of outputs in products:inputs)

0.36:1

1.92:1

6.55:1



Biodiversity and nature conservation:

The farm is bordered on one side by a rather large river with meadow vegetation.

 


Sustainability assessment Romanian case farm 2


See details on Romanian case farm 1
See background info on all Romanian farms examined

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