Nourishing with Efficiency

Overview

We have taken steps to increase efficiency and decrease the environmental footprint of our farm, such as:

• Re-using cow manure for use back in the environment through a pump and injection system that allows us to move it up to 8 miles from our dairy, then apply it precisely through a metering injection system that ensures the liquid goes where we directed to provide nutrients to plants. This cleaned out our lagoons quicker, required minimal trucks on the road and enhanced crop production due to precision delivery of micronutrients found only in manure. Additionally, manure-enhanced fields limit runoff and retain nutrients due to the composted effect of the manure.

• Applying genetics advancements to improve cow production while lowering health issues due to genetic selection. This leads to a reduced carbon footprint in the dairy herd (fewer cows making more milk) and makes each employee more effective in their job because they have fewer animals to manage - all of which have better health, production and longevity prospects.

• Relying on computer tracking systems (like a Fitbit) to allow us to manage milk production, body temperature, activity, location, feed intake and more. 

• Deploying GPS on tractor systems allow us to control seed planting populations, correlated to soil types and nutrient needs, making the crop more resilient, water efficient and more productive. We also tailor the animal feed based on digestibility, cost, nutritional accessibility, growth potential of the animal and availability.

• Using strip-till farm tillage systems, with fertilizer mounted on planting tractors to more efficiently deliver nutrients to exactly where we plant the seed.

For more information contact: Mary Kraft at maryquailridge@msn.com