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Where cows thrive: life at the Vierbrunnenhof farm

The Huber family run the Vierbrunnenhof farm in Birrhard with a great deal of passion. Cows, calves, horses and chickens all have a home here that meets their needs. “We live both with and from the animals”, explains Patrik Huber. It is for this reason that animal welfare and animal health are key concerns for the family.

Daily milk production

The Vierbrunnenhof farm produces 700 litres of milk each and every day. The cows are able to decide for themselves when they want to be milked thanks to a milking robot that is freely accessible around the clock. The robot recognises every animal individually, allowing Patrik to keep an overview of his cows and their milk production. If a cow is not fit and is producing less milk, he receives an automatic text message or a phone call. “My milk robot sometimes calls me in the middle of the night”, he laughs. In most cases, however, these are usually only minor faults that can be quickly rectified, meaning that Patrik can continue to sleep.

“On average, each cow gives us around 30 litres of milk a day”.

From calf to dairy cow

“Our cows have their first calf at around two yeas old”. This marks the start of their milk production. After 30 to 40 days, the calves are moved on to a fattening farm for meat production. Patrick believes it is important that his cows live as long a life as possible. If he needs a new cow, he buys it from another farm. “We also have a bull that lives with the herd”, he adds

A comfortable home for the cows

The cows at the Vierbrunnenhof farm always have access to food and clean water. They can go outside 365 days a year and move around in the open spaced barn, where they can rest on straw beds that are freshly lined on a daily basis. Grooming is also taken care of – an automatic scratching brush is always at the ready and is actively used. “Our animals are happy here with us”, says Patrick.

The cow shed interior

A cow in the exercise yard in front of a scratching brush.

Coat care

The scratching brush is used to groom the cows’ coats.

Keeping hunger at bay

The cows can feed around the clock.

First-class milk

The cows can be milked by the milking robot at any time.

Wonderful feed from the farm they call home

“We want to primarily feed our cows with feed sourced from our own farm”, says Patrik. They receive a mix of grass silage, maize silage and hay. Protein and minerals are also added to ensure that the animals enjoy an optimal diet. The feed is accessible at all times and each cow has its own feeding space. “This means there should never be any fights over food”, Patrick explains with a smile on his face.

Healthy animals

“It is important to us that our animals are doing well”, says the farm owner. Should an animal nevertheless fall ill, they will first try to treat it themselves using alternative methods such as homoeopathy. If this doesn’t work, then the vet will be called on. “Thankfully, this is a rare occurrence”, explains Patrik.

“If our animals are doing well, then we’re happy too”.

Yrma: Patrik’s favourite cow

“My favourite cow is Yrma”, says Patrik. “We humans and the animals get used to each other. We never have any problems with Yrma”, he explains. She produces a lot of milk, is never ill and blends in well with the rest of the group. “She doesn’t really cause me much work”, he chuckles.

Facts about milk

A glass stands on a table and is being filled with milk.

Milk is a food

Packed with nutrients, milk isn’t classified as a drink, but rather as a food.

Milk is a beauty product

Cleopatra is said to have bathed in milk. It containsmilk fat, milk protein and lactic acid, which combine to make skin soft and supple.

Milk helps you fall asleep

Milk contains amino acids from which the substances serotonin and melatonin are produced, both of which are sleep-inducing hormones.

What is the difference between a cow and a heifer?

A young female animal is referred to as a heifer until it gives birth to its first calf. Once it gives birth, it becomes a cow.

From grass to milk

A dairy cow performs a true marvel: it refines grass, which is indigestible for us, into milk using its four stomachs. In addition to food, it requires up to 100 litres of water a day for this process.

Milk: the power supplier

Milk contains a great many valuable ingredients. Calcium is important for healthy bones and milk protein promotes muscle and cell growth. What is more, milk also contains numerous vitamins. “I drink milk on a daily basis. It has to be cold, and preferably with chocolate powder”, says Patrik.

What are the alternatives to milk?

There are numerous substitutes for milk, including rice-, almond- and oat-based drinks. Cow’s milk, by contrast, is a natural product that naturally contains many important nutrients that the human body needs. It is also sourced from the local region and scores points thanks to its short transport distances.