Description
The production of pasture-based cheese on the farm. The name of the cheese Kreuzer is reserved in the Patent Office. The special, limited production is promoted through the website www.ekosery.pl.
Reason for the innovation
The farmer processes milk at the farm level and sells cheese under her own brand. This practice is very rare in Poland, while the number of people looking for good quality products manufactured on a local market is rising systematically in the country. It is just the begining of changes in consumers buying behavior. This trend has been noticed by larger players operating on the organic food market. The organic market is developing.
In order to distinguish her product, she advertises the cheese as organic as well as the pasture-based. The name of the cheese Kreuzer refers to pre-war name of the commune. At that time, there was a big dairy plant in the region, where ripened cheeses were manufactured. It was destroyed during the Second World War. The source of roughage for cows are only semi-natural grasslands, located in the NATURA 2000 area. All farmer’s meadows are covered by the agri-environmental programme (Protection of natural birds nesting places).
Farm description
Environment
- Soil types: Peat
- Climate: Warm-summer humid continental
- Altitude: 39 m a.s.l.
- Slope: 0%
Grassland management
- The sward is conserved by making hay and haylage.
- Cows are grazed 24 hours per day in the growing season.
- Grazing management type: Rotational stocking
Structure
- Annual Work Unit 6
- Agricultural Area : 32 ha UAA
- Main forage area: 32 ha
- Permanent grassland area: 32 ha
- Average stocking rates:
- agriculture area 0.8 LU/ha
- main forage area 0.8 LU/ha
- grassland area 0.8 LU/ha
Animal performance
- Dairy cows: 20
- Breeds Polish Black & White x Simental
- Total Livestock Units: 26.75 LU
- Milk production per head: 5000 (l/year)
Why it is working
The farmer constantly analyzes the dairy market trends and makes the decisions with respect to her farm accordingly.
