1. The origin and process of engaging in dairy career:
Evergreen Dairy Breeding Farm was established in 1986. At that time, Mr. Liu’s father was spending his spare time to take care of 10 cows. About 30 kg of milk was delivered to Wei Chuan Foods Corporation milk-gathering station per day. After 1990, about 30 kg of milk was delivered to Honey Food Co. Ltd each day. In 1995, about 600 kg of milk was delivered to Kuang Chuan Company per day.
By the use of the TMR and the reconstruction of cow barn, so far, each cow produces 24.55 kg of milk per day. Hoping to achieve a goal that each cow can produce 30.0 kg of milk per day.
2. Present herd size and achievement:
The measure of Evergreen Dairy Breeding Farm is approximately 1.2 hectares, of which planting of about 5 hectares Taiwan Livestock II Pennisetum. There are two hundred head of cattle at present, including 100 delivered cow, 38 pregnant cattle, 34 female cattle and 28 calves. The status of farm is:
(A) A Sustainable, without padding, slated flooring cow barn, which is able to accommodate up to 120 milking dairy cows, providing cattle a comfortable seating environment, and maintaining the cleanliness of the cattle to reduce mastitis incidence.
(B) One cow barn for dry dairy cow: providing dry dairy cow a comfortable and clean expectant space.
(C) One cow barn for pregnant cattle : Apply the estrus synchronization for mating cows, and adjust the fence height according to the stature of cattle.
(D) One elevated cow barn for calves: to reduce diarrhea and to improve the survival rate of calves.
(E) Other equipment:
Computer cattle management system, the TMR feed mixing equipment, Alfa-laval milking equipment, automation equipment of the three-step wastewater treatment system, self-propelled the Pennisetum harvesting machine and Pangolagrass cutting machine ... and so on.
3. Management experiences and characteristics of the dairy farm:
(A) Quality of raw milk:
The Quality of raw milk emphasizes on aerobic plate count, somatic cell count, milk protein, milk fat and the proportion of raw milk. In order to strictly control medicated cattle, raw milk would be tested by AOAC certificated residual detection kit before release.
(B) Feeding and management:
’’ high alfalfa, high protein, and high energy” are the main target of feed, and mixing local by-products. According to experience, this model not only made the cattle to maximize lactation potential, but also provided enough nutrition for cattle in the summer time. This year, using TMR and gradually adjusting the proportion of the feed; hope to lower costs and increase the production of milk.
(C) Management:
Building an information system on cattle membership information, pregnancy tests, and cost accounting, and gradually using computer management operations, in order to reduce the waste of human resources, and file all cattle data.
(D) Disease Control and Prevention:
Draw up the disease prevention programs every year, and co-operate with the full-time contract veterinarian for medical diagnosis and implement prevention works thoroughly.
(E) Production season regulation:
The annual milk ratio of winter and summer milk is above 30 : 70, in order to achieve this result, good offspring and a sufficient number of female cattle are required, we also need to keep monitoring the herd, in order to adjust the herd structure appropriately.
(F) Reduce heat stress:
The average summer temperature is up to 32℃ in subtropical Taiwan, the good ventilation cow barn is necessary. A large 42 - inch electric fan for every six cattle and individual automatic cooling system for each cattle is provided, in order to achieve the best environment and reduce heat stress.
(G) Environmental health and image
With the name “evergreen“, our advocate is very clear, emphasizing on being eco-friendly, and hope to enhance the image of our farm.
We upgrade the cattle breeding technology continuously, and involve in various types of training actively, for example, in 1999, the artificial insemination class of the Council of Agriculture, Livestock Research Institute, in 2002, the hooves fixing class of the Council of Agriculture, Livestock Research Institute, in 2003, the embryo transfer set class of the Council of Agriculture Livestock Research Institute ... etc.
5. The ideal future and development:
Recently, we dedicate in enhancing the performance of our farm. Using artificial insemination and embryo transplant to foster better offspring; cutting down the number of cattle to develop the highest efficiency.