Best Feeding for Dairy Cows on BioHof Thelsdorf

The best feeding for dairy cows on BioHof Thelsdorf – managing farmland according to their needs.

Cattle farming has a long tradition in the Lüneburg region, south of Hamburg. Right here, at the organic farm BioHof Thelsdorf in Jesteburg, 56 dairy cows with natural reproduction are kept. Siblings Paula, Charlotte, and Friedrich Krieger run the farm together and have a clear vision for sustainable land use. They strongly believe that agricultural land should be used efficiently:

“As an organic farm, it was only logical for us to use the grass from our fields to feed the cows instead of selling it as organic grain,” explains Friedrich Krieger, who is responsible for crop production and mechanization. “Why should we transport the feed to the barn when our cows can eat it directly outside?” he adds.

The cows enter the barn only in the morning and evening for milking and are then assigned a new grazing area. “They expect it, and it’s also about fair treatment of the animals,” explains Charlotte Krieger, who is responsible for pasture management and ensures a balanced diet for the cattle.

Preparing the Pasture

Before the herd returns to the barn after milking, a new grazing area must be prepared. During the day, the cows graze on meadows, while at night they move to arable land planted with clover and alfalfa.

In the barn, only lightly structured silage is used, combined with minerals and minimal concentrated feed. The goal is to keep the cows on pasture as long as possible and let them choose their own food. “For us, organic farming means providing animals with the most natural conditions possible,” emphasizes Paula Krieger.

The crop rotation on the fields is planned in a way that does not interfere with the grazing system. “It is better to plant grass more frequently in the fields rather than using them just for grain cultivation,” adds Friedrich Krieger.

BioHof Thelsdorf GbR

📍 Jesteburg, Lower Saxony
👥 The farm has been run since 2015 by siblings Paula, Charlotte, and Friedrich Krieger.
🐄 Livestock: 56 Holstein Friesian dairy cows, average annual milk yield: 7,300 liters per cow.
🌱 Agricultural land: 40 hectares of grassland, 40 hectares of arable land.
🌿 Feeding system:

  • Grazing on grassland and arable land, silage, minimal use of concentrated feed.
  • Regular renewal of clover mixtures for optimal pasture use.
  • Dairy cows spend the winter in spacious barns with outdoor access.
  • Special focus on self-produced forage for a balanced diet.

Paula Krieger is responsible for herd management and farm operations, while Friedrich oversees mechanization and crop production.

Source: Author: Brigitte Stein, Bioland

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