OVERVIEW

When considering the incredible complexity of commercial dairy farming in our point in time, there are a couple of big
questions in desperate need of an answer.

• As a farmer, is my farm performing at optimal effectivity and efficacy?
• What are the impacting factors subtracting from my farm’s performance?
• How do I mitigate and remedy these factors?
• In the highly competitive arena I am operating in, how do I plan to stay abreast of the latest developments and research?
• How do I differentiate passing fads from real gains and real world implementation?

These are just some of the questions the forward thinking farmer of today is asking. My consultancy services answers these questions and much more. The holistic farm approach addresses key factors from the ground up, literally. It firstly identifies shortfalls or ineffective redundancies in the 4 components that make up the modern day farm.
These being, soil management, feed, herd management and waste management.Secondly we address these components with a systematic approach taking care to find the balance between cost, implementation and yield.

Thirdly my extensive experience in the dairy industry in combination with research, I will be able to advise on real world immediate troubleshooting of fertility, milk quality, SCC, etc.
Lastly it is worth mentioning that our industry is saturated with information and supporting products. Through meticulous scrutiny I have identified quality products and services and will be able to advise upon these peripheral products based upon solid, scientific research in conjunction with results and taking into consideration cost. Problem specific and battle proven.

The Objective

Trying climate changes, consumer biases and economic circumstances compel us to re-examine ourselves and our practices.
Always striving to optimize in every facet of our activities. In light of this my objective are,

• To work hand in hand with the farmers in moving their farms to the optimally efficient, effective level of operation.
• To serve as a “filter” for peripheral products, providing unbiased and merit based advice to farmers.
• Supporting farmers to become even more sustainable and self-reliant through full utilization of their scarce resources.
• Establish traceability and determine route courses for production problems.
• Improving our food security and integrity.

Some of the problems I address:
Soil and Pasture Management (includes feeds)

• A comprehensive soil and leaf analysis is done to determine a baseline. This reveals shortages and additives needed for maximum effectiveness.
• Recommendations to enhance soil health, which boosts element absorption and lowers fertilizer needed.
• Support and advice for optimal seed treatment, root absorption and heightened water retention capability of soil.
  This will have an advantageous result on soil pests and root diseases.
• Irrigation services.
• Silage quality.

Herd Management and animal health

• Improvement on feed conversion ratio through Rumen functionality optimization. This could lead to higher milk production.
• Advice on biosecurity and prevention of certain diseases.
• Improvement on immunity which leads to lower indecencies of disease and lower SCC.
• Reproduction, improvement on overall fertility status of heard in lower inter-calving periods.

Milk Composition and quality

• Improvement of milk quality on farm level
• Improvement of TPC (total plate count), reflective of stall hygiene
• Improved udder health, lowers incidences of mastitis and lower SCC

Environmental management

• Waste Management
• Calculating, interoperating and advising on the carbon footprint of the dairy farm
• Advising dairy farmers on different practices to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions on farm level.

Execution Strategy
Due to the individuality of each farm, execution varies. Preferably we start with trouble areas of production. This may entail milk quality, feeds, etc. The focus would be on the most immediate impact factor on the milk premium that the farmer earns. The next step would be to establish a baseline of all the different components. According to the baseline, and taking the farms medium and long term strategy into account, recommendations are made. It is important to emphasize that the journey to sustainable dairy farming is done in stages and is gradual.
Continues feedback is imperative to the long term realization of our goals. Relationship building is at the heart of the service I deliver. Research and testing will continue into the future and my clients will be first hand beneficiaries of innovation.

Appointment can be arranged by calling :

• Theo Geldenhuys – CEO – 083 229 2227 or theo@biofarmsolutions.com
• Wilma at the office 044 873 5778 or info@biofarmsolutions.com