Robotic Barn
We have implemented a fully robotic facility to milk our cows. Robots now feed, sweep, clean, and milk our cows! This not only gives us better data on the cow's health, helping us know when they are not feeling well faster, but also how we can improve! We have energy-efficient lighting and magnetic fans to keep the cows comfortable and energy-efficient!
Sustainability
At SMC, we continually strive to find ways to be environmentally friendly. From reusable glass bottles and bags to water and bedding, we reuse a lot. Water on the farm is used in three different ways. First, it is used to cool down milk in our tanks, then it is used for water for our cows, then it is used to clean barns with the manure, and after that, it is used to fertilize our fields! Another thing we reuse is the cow’s bedding! With sand beds, our cows are comfortable, being able to move around and stay cool. We can wash and reuse this bedding, keeping it clean. This keeps our cows and environment healthy.
Animal Waste Technology Grant
The Maryland Department of Agriculture awarded South Mountain Creamery the Animal Waste Technology Grant in recognition of their innovative technologies and alternative strategies for managing animal manure on their farm.
SMC will utilize the funding for two projects on the farm. First, they will be able to safely capture and burn off greenhouse gas emissions from the farm’s liquid manure lagoon using a new protective cover and flare system. Additional grants from the Conservation Innovation Fund and Nutrient Control Systems will also be used to treat and separate waste efficiently using a manure separation system.
From these two projects, SMC seeks to improve its environmental footprint by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing nitrogen and phosphorus impact on cropland, and capturing and using biogas as a renewable natural gas source to fuel its home delivery fleet.
Are your Cows Grass-fed?
Our cows are out in the pasture for most of the year, weather and safety conditions permitting. Our cows primarily eat grass, approximately 95%, which is a mixture of various types of grass that we cultivate on the farm. For the remaining 5%, we supplement it with minerals and some grains. When grass is stored for winter feedings, it tends to lose some of its nutritional content, so we supplement it with grains and additional minerals to replenish it. We have a veterinary nutritionist visit our farm regularly to test our grasses, pastures, and feed, ensuring the cows receive all the vitamins, minerals, and energy they need. Most 100% grass-fed cows are raised in areas that do not have seasonal changes, so they are lucky to grow grass year-round. Here in Maryland, supplementing 5% of our feed with additional grains and minerals helps our cows stay energized and healthy!
We grow all of the feed for our cows, and it is all non-GMO verified. The grains are generally soybeans and corn, which provides protein and energy, respectively.
Calf Separation
Calves of dairy cows are generally separated from their mothers within the first 24 hours after birth. Calves, like all newborns, are born with almost no immune system, so removing the calf from the maternity area soon after birth lessens the calf’s exposure to bacteria. Calves are not separated from the mother until she has had enough time to clean the calf off and spend a little time together. Then the calf is transported to the calf barn where it will be fed colostrum, weighed, and tagged. Colostrum is needed as soon as possible to help aid in building their immune system.
A2A2 Milk
We have Holsteins and Jersey cows. We have been breeding exclusively with A2A2 bulls for 10 years now. We can't be sure what percentage of the herd is A2A2, but we are testing every heifer replacement calf as they are born, and the calves have been running about 80-90 percent at this time.