Careers
“The cows are noticeably more comfortable”
Herbert and Claudia Kohlbauer took over the dairy farm from Herbert’s parents in Schardenberg, in the Schärding district of Upper Austria’s Innviertel region, in 2005, and today care for around 60 dairy cows. The female calves remain on the farm, while the male calves are sold at around eight weeks of age. Healthy cows are essential for a successful farm—and the Kohlbauer farm invests heavily in this.
Enthusiast
3 minutes reading time
At the cutting edge of technology
Modern technology has long since found its way into the dairy farm. Herbert Kohlbauer acquired a “Butler” back in 2007—this machine automatically pushes feed to the cows, thereby making the farmer’s work much easier. In the same year, a silo comb was also introduced on the farm for the electric removal and distribution of silage. Further significant technical modernization steps followed in 2019. Chief among them was a milking robot. These are necessary developments to remain profitable as a dairy farm today. The slatted floor robot, which keeps the walking and feeding aisles clean, is also very useful. The latest addition to the technical tools is progesterone testing for improved fertility management. Despite all the technical support needed to run the farm successfully, many helping hands are required. The whole family pitches in, including Grandma and the son.
Modern technology has long since found its way into the dairy farm. Herbert Kohlbauer acquired a “Butler” back in 2007—this machine automatically pushes feed to the cows, thereby making the farmer’s work much easier. In the same year, a silo comb was also introduced on the farm for the electric removal and distribution of silage. Further significant technical modernization steps followed in 2019. Chief among them was a milking robot. These are necessary developments to remain profitable as a dairy farm today. The slatted floor robot, which keeps the walking and feeding aisles clean, is also very useful. The latest addition to the technical tools is progesterone testing for improved fertility management. Despite all the technical support needed to run the farm successfully, many helping hands are required. The whole family pitches in, including Grandma and the son.
Promote animal welfare through various measures
Optimal animal welfare is the top priority at the Kohlbauer dairy farm. “Regular hoof care, for example, is a given here,” says the farmer. “In the summer, I make sure the cows don’t suffer from heat stress and that they always have clean resting areas.” He also places great importance on high-quality feed for his animals. For the past five years, FHE (Fermented Herbal Extract) has been part of the program as a feed supplement for the cattle. The fermented herbal extract increases the animals’ appetite. Each year, the farmer uses approximately 4,000 to 5,000 liters of FHE for his dairy cows.
Cell counts have been significantly reduced since the introduction of FHE
Herbert Kohlbauer first learned about the Fermented Herbal Extract during a lecture in a neighboring town. “Until then, I knew nothing about microorganisms, but the lecture convinced me right away,” he recalls. “They reported there that the cows were much more balanced. Of course, I was eager to try it out on my own animals.” Since then, the farmer has noticed that the cows are much more stable. The somatic cell count—the measure of udder health and milk quality—has dropped significantly. The lower the somatic cell count, the better. FHE improves barn hygiene. “You can tell, among other things, by the air in the barn, which has been much more pleasant ever since,” says Herbert Kohlbauer. But it’s important to follow the correct dosage to see progress. At first, they relied solely on “gut feeling” for the dosage. “We did see slight improvements, but not to the extent we had expected.” It was only through proper dosing based on the expertise of the Multikraft consultants that improvements gradually became visible. “We noticed that our cows feel very comfortable and stable.”
Challenging times
It is clear to the farmer that he wants to continue investing in progress, but at the same time, the local dairy industry is currently facing enormous challenges. As Kohlbauer explains, for example: “Prices for feed, electricity, diesel, and fertilizer have skyrocketed.” This naturally also affects consumer prices. Although public awareness of high-quality milk—and thus the demand for a sustainable dairy industry—is growing, times of inflation also reveal the contradictory behavior that people are less willing to pay a higher price for high-quality products.
It is clear to the farmer that he wants to continue investing in progress, but at the same time, the local dairy industry is currently facing enormous challenges. As Kohlbauer explains, for example: “Prices for feed, electricity, diesel, and fertilizer have skyrocketed.” This naturally also affects consumer prices. Although public awareness of high-quality milk—and thus the demand for a sustainable dairy industry—is growing, times of inflation also reveal the contradictory behavior that people are less willing to pay a higher price for high-quality products.
This may also interest you …
A garden with a very special vibe
Johannes Lenzenweger lives with his partner in a converted farm on a plot of about 3,700 m² in Straßwalchen in Salzburg. On the wall of the house hang the plaques "Life raft for biodiversity" and one from "Nature in the garden". Both certificates describe well what his garden is all about. The trained fruit tree keeper cares for his fruit trees with love and, for about twenty years, also with Effective Microorganisms.
Enthusiast
5 minutes reading time
I have to be convinced of the effect of the products
Erwin Meier Senior from Gartencenter Meier in Dürnten, Switzerland, is considered a plant expert. In an interview, he gives insight into the development of the family business and the importance of Effective Microorganisms and a healthy soil.
"With Urban Jungle we have achieved great success in reducing fungus gnats."
Enthusiast
5 minutes reading time
Enthusiast
4 minutes reading time
