LLC “Vitchyzna”: a dairy story

As the well-known children’s writer Tove Jansson once said, the best way to welcome someone returning home after a long separation is with milk, roses, buns, and berries. We would add that such components of a morning breakfast or an evening snack are very pleasant and beneficial for any family. Therefore, an interesting question arises: who supplies Ukrainians’ tables with fresh and tasty milk? The embodiment of the fairy tale about milk rivers is the livestock complex of LLC “Vitchyzna,” which has been engaged in agribusiness since January 2000. Over the years of its existence, the company has not only successfully survived economic crises but also continues to develop new areas of activity. Thus, in July 2013, thanks to the attraction of foreign and local investments brought in by JSC “Tekhnolohiya” (Sumy), a long-term development program was launched, which includes the construction of a new-type farm in the village of Ternivka.

It should be noted that each project of the company, thanks to the persistent work of the team and the effective approach of the management, becomes an industry leader and a source of pride for our region. Exactly this reputation is already held by two dairy farms of LLC “Vitchyzna,” one of which is located in the village of Ternivka, and the other in the village of Shpotivka, Konotop district.

Where does the milk river flow from?

The complex in the village of Shpotivka has been operating for more than five years. During this time, a unique technological chain for the production of dairy products has been created here: from harvesting environmentally friendly feed and equipping a modern farm to supplying products to processing enterprises. Particular attention is paid to special feeding of cows, as the long-known saying goes that a cow’s milk is on its tongue, meaning that the animal synthesizes milk exclusively from the natural plant material it consumes daily with feed. Poor-quality feed leads to low milk yields, significant feed losses, health problems in cows, and affects the quality indicators of milk. Therefore, to eliminate all these factors, silage and haylage pits were reconstructed and a feed harvesting system was established.

An important component of success is high-quality roughage, the quality of which is confirmed by laboratory tests conducted in the United States and which form the basis for ration formulation.

To provide its herd with a healthy feed base, the company carries out the harvesting of the necessary plant crops on its own. Fertile lands in an environmentally clean area of the Sumy region are sown by LLC “Vitchyzna” with corn, alfalfa, and other crops.

Massage and musical entertainment

Both farms of LLC “Vitchyzna” keep 1,574 dairy cows and 2,149 young animals. The cows on the farm live as if in a fairy tale—they sleep and rest on special mattresses that meet the physiological needs of animals; special equipment feeds them, waters them, and even… massages their backs. Thus, they take care of themselves by removing old bristles. To create maximum comfort, the cowsheds are equipped with modern scratching brushes that perform a massaging function, promote increased blood circulation, stimulate metabolism, and affect cow productivity. The cows enjoy the massage and even moo with pleasure. The farm also has its own “pedicure room,” because hooves must be trimmed on time.

On hot days, fans are used to reduce the temperature in the cowsheds, and in one of the barns and the milking parlor a shower system has been installed, which has a very positive effect on cow productivity.

But the wonders of comfort do not end there. During milking, classical music is played—it makes the process more pleasant both for the cows, which in such conditions produce higher-quality milk, and for the milking machine operators. It is worth noting that the farm is very clean—the manure removal system is automated, and the smell typical of a cowshed is practically not noticeable. The animals are kept in a loose-housing system: bulls move freely in the pens, and cows around the farm, which helps create comfortable conditions for reproduction. Each cow wears a small “computer.” At any moment, by retrieving information from it, one can learn about the animal’s health, its diet, and trace the entire path of milk—from milking to shipment.

A new life

The second livestock complex of the company “Vitchyzna” in the village of Ternivka began operating in December of last year. At the grand opening ceremony, the General Director of LLC “Vitchyzna,” Serhii Chyzhyk, very touchingly described the new dairy farm: “It seems that everything here is created to please the eye. But the point is not external beauty, it is about respect for the cows that give milk, and therefore life. After all, infants are fed with milk.”

Construction of the complex, costing more than 20 million UAH, lasted nine months. The guarantee of uninterrupted operation of the complex was the installation of equipment from the Swedish company DeLaval—the world leader in the production of equipment for the dairy industry—which makes it possible to obtain milk of the “Extra” class.

This farm houses 20.7% of the dairy cows and 18.8% of the young stock. Currently, a dairy unit (milking parlor) is in operation here, where 20 cows are milked simultaneously, and in the spacious cowshed No. 1, another 180 of their companions comfortably wait their turn.

Construction of a maternity unit with a milking parlor for freshly calved cows is currently underway here, and a new dairy unit with a DeLaval parallel 2*10 milking parlor, two reconstructed and one new cowsheds have already been put into operation, all of which meet technological standards for comfortable cow housing, allowing for appropriate productivity. The result of meticulous work and the cows’ gratitude is reflected in milk yields. On average, per dairy cow across the farm in 2015, milk yields were 14% higher than planned.

Has anyone ever seen a kindergarten for calves? It truly is a fairy tale for these little animals. Thus, on the farms of LLC “Vitchyzna,” cows live as if in paradise.

LLC “Vitchyzna”
Konotop, 6 Vatutin Street
(05447) 61000

Kseniia Sobolieva

R