Obtaining the highest quality biodynamic A2 hay milk

Operation JuchowoMilk will help ensure stable production of high-quality hay milk genotype A2. The demand for food production on a global scale continues to grow. In developed countries, of which Poland is one, food quality and its health-promoting aspects are increasingly appreciated. As a result of the operation, it is planned to obtain excellent quality milk, which can be offered to consumers on the domestic market or be a lucrative export commodity to markets in many European countries and the world. Widespread implementation of the operation's results in other regions of the country may result in obtaining quality marks and certificates for pro-ecological food in the long run.

The main goal is to produce A2 biodynamic hay milk. The composition of the milk obtained will be subjected to detailed laboratory tests and a comparative analysis will be made with other milks produced on the same farm.

The specific goal will be to determine how to feed the cows in order to uzsyki the best possible A2 biodynamic hay milk, and to carry out animal selection that takes into account healthiness, correct exterior, animal temperament and adequate milk yield and composition, with little emphasis on high lactation yield, but as high a lifetime yield as possible. The selection of pairs for breeding is carried out in such a way as to ensure the greatest possible genetic diversity and obtain in the offspring the desired traits.

Specific objectives:

• Renovation of pastures, selection of dedicated seed for the soil quality class and requirements of the organic and biodynamic system - IMPLEMENTATION.
• Analysis of pasture sward composition.
• Analysis of the level of bioactive components in milk.
• Determination of the effect of polymorphic forms of β-casein (A1A1, A1A2, A2A2) on the formation of levels of bioactive components in milk.
• Determination of the effect of polymorphic forms of β-casein (A1A1, A1A2, A2A2) on the formation of the metabolic profile of cows.
• Determination of the effect of polymorphic forms of β-casein (A1A1, A1A2, A2A2) on the formation of milk fat dispersion.
• Selection of genetic material in terms of polymorphic forms of milk lactoproteins- BIRDING WORK.
• Analysis of biodynamic A2 hay milk for the level of bioactive components and the degree of oxidative protection.
• Development and implementation of technology for production of biodynamic hay milk A2- IMPLEMENTATION.

Project activities

Stage 1. Examination of the genetic potential of the herd The study will cover a herd of 260 cows – this is the only way to determine the frequency of the desired A2A2 gene in the herd. Testing only part of the herd is not justified – selecting only a small group of cows with the desired genotype will not allow for a thorough analysis of the issue and will significantly limit consumers' access to the innovative product. It is important to bear in mind the logistical constraints resulting from the organization of the work of milk recipients, who are not equipped to process marginal quantities of raw material. The product innovation resulting from the implementation of the project should be easily accessible to consumers. Collection of genetic material from the ear tissue of each dairy cow, sending samples to a research laboratory, analysis of results. Collection of genetic material from the ear tissue of heifers and breeding bulls, sending samples to a research laboratory, analysis of results. Breeding program focused on A2 milk production Appropriate selection of breeding pairs, taking into account the increase in A2A2 frequency and the assumptions of the current breeding project Purchase of appropriate semen and bulls for natural mating (only with the A2A2 gene) Milk testing The scope of testing is described in the Laboratory Testing sheet. Milk testing is planned at six-month intervals, allowing for analysis of the impact of nutrition on the quality of the milk obtained. In connection with the silage feed base currently existing at the Juchowo Agricultural Company and its planned feeding during the 2022/2023 winter feeding period, milk testing should begin in January 2023. Both biodynamic bulk milk and biodynamic milk obtained from cows with the A1A1, A1A2, and A2A2 genotypes should be analyzed. Preliminary analysis of test results.

Stage 2. The next stage of the research will be the analysis of biodynamic hay milk obtained during the grazing period (feed ration with a predominant share of pasture green fodder and hay supplement) – bulk milk and milk from cows with the A1A1, A1A2, and A2A2 genotypes.

Stage 3. The third stage will be the analysis of biodynamic hay milk from cows with the A1A1, A1A2, and A2A2 genotypes during the winter feeding period, when the only dry bulk feed will be hay produced as part of the project.

Stage 4. The next stage of milk testing will be to analyze the impact of the quality of hay obtained from individual plots on the quality of milk obtained from individual groups of cows fed with specific batches of hay. The distribution and size of the groups will depend on the results of the genetic analysis of the herd.

The main benefits of the project

The JuchowoMilk operation will contribute to supporting the agricultural sector through the efficient use of the large forage resources of permanent grasslands located on land of bonitation classes 5 and 6 and other grassland habitats. In addition, the operation can be applied to a large acreage of ecological and biodynamic grasslands, excluded from agricultural use, where it is necessary to manage the biomass developed by grassland communities in order to maintain high natural values. The area of this type of land in Poland is up to 1 million hectares.

The operation is in line with agro-ecological systems of hay milk production, harmoniously compatible with the use of the fodder potential of grasslands, and at the same time economically viable, productive, competitive, due to the excellent quality of A2 biodynamic hay milk produced, low-carbon and climate-friendly and resistant to climate change.

Practice summary

The result of the operation will be the development of an innovative technology for the production of biodynamic A2 hay milk.

The developed and implemented technology will enable the so-called precise feeding of dairy cows, limiting the negative impact of cattle breeding and rearing on the natural environment (greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions), contributing directly to the improvement of animal welfare and the profitability of milk production. Improved production conditions, animal welfare, and longevity will enable Polish dairy farmers to become leaders in the production of biodynamic A2 hay milk, which is also desirable from the point of view of competitiveness in the domestic and foreign dairy industry. Implementation – innovative technology enabling precise feeding of high-yield dairy cows.

Additional comments

The operation will contribute to building bridges between the latest research knowledge and technology and farmers, entrepreneurs, and advisory services. Renovation of pastures, selection of dedicated seed material for soil quality class and organic and biodynamic system requirements, analysis of pasture sward composition, analysis of bioactive components in milk, determination of the impact of polymorphic forms of β-casein (A1A1, A1A2, A2A2) on the formation of bioactive components in milk, determining the impact of polymorphic forms of β-casein (A1A1, A1A2, A2A2) on the formation of the metabolic profile of cows, determining the impact of polymorphic forms of β-casein (A1A1, A1A2, A2A2) on the formation of milk fat dispersion, selection of genetic material in terms of polymorphic forms of milk lactoproteins, analysis of biodynamic A2 hay milk in terms of the level of bioactive components and the degree of oxidative protection, development and implementation of technology for the production of biodynamic A2 hay milk, sensory panel, consumer analysis - scientific sphere and participation of all consortium members, hay drying technology system - all consortium members, innovative methods of renewable energy and automation application - Vivende.