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Thursday, January 08, 2009
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Sunnyside Farms
The Farm:
- Located in Upstate New York State, United States
- Currently milking 2600 cows with a herd average of 25,000 lbs
- Recently changed name from Venice View Farms to Sunnyside Farms
Farm Management:
- Jack, Neil and Greg Rejman operate a Father/Son operation. They are the third generation on this farm which started in the 1930’s with approximately 30 milking head. Neil bears primary responsibility for the cows and Greg handles the cropping.
- Decisions are made both collectively and individually depending on the level of decision.
- Farm utilizes Standard Operating Procedures
- No written job descriptions
- Farm has formal biosecurity practices
- Consultants are utilized including nutritionists, equipment dealers, veterinarian
- Herd checks are done twice a week
Nutritient Management:
Manure is stored in lagoons and incorporated into the soil according to cropping needs and environmental regulations
Farm is CAFO compliant, and works with agonomists and environmental consultants regularly.
Feeding/Cropping:
Cows are fed a TMR utilizing the “Feed Watch” computer system
Rations are balanced with CNCPS
Ration includes haylage, corn silage and straw
There are approximately 3400 acres of crops with Corn silage and alfalfa the primary crops grown
Corn silage yields approximately 22 tons/acre
Haylage yields approximately 5.25 tons of dry matter
Milking:
Cows are milked with a Double 52 DeLaval parallel parlor
3x milking
Milk is stored in two 7,000 gallon bulk tanks
Use a pre-cooler and Yukon snap chiller with the bulk tanks
Milk is picked up 3 times daily
Milk is sold through a cooperative for fluid milk and cheese
Utilize ALPRO™, Activity Meters and Crowd gates in cow management
Young Stock and Replacements:
- There are approximately 2,400 heifers
- Approximately 250 calves
- Replacement rate is 36%
- Age at first calving is 22 months
Housing:
Cows are housed in free stall barns
Bedding is comprised of a sawdust/shredded paper mulch
Community:
All members are actively involved in community and industry activities
Future:
Always thinking ahead
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