Higher milk yield and lower emissions

Innovative technologies help optimise milk production while simultaneously reducing CO₂ emissions. This has been demonstrated in a joint best-practice project by Krone, Siloking and smaXtec. A practical trial on the Jünck dairy farm in North Rhine-Westphalia delivered impressive results.

The aim of the project was to optimise the chain of milk production – from grass in the field to its utilisation by cows – in terms of efficiency and CO₂ emissions. Every step of the process was precisely documented, including machine settings, drying processes, yields, forage composition, fuel consumption, and the resulting CO₂ emissions.

Optimised grass silage as the foundation

The key to efficient and sustainable milk production lies in high-quality forage. By using advanced harvesting technology from Krone, high-quality forage was harvested from 30 hectares of catch crop grass and ensiled within just two days. With a total yield of 723 tonnes and a diesel consumption of 1,574 litres, the CO₂ output amounted to just 5.77 kg per tonne of forage.

With a dry matter content of 32 to 35 % and a chop length betwenn 8 and 12 mm, the silage achieved a high forage value. Analyses after the eight-week silage process showed remarkable results. The total milk production value (kg of milk per tonne of feed) exceeded the national average for the first cutting of 2024 by around four percent. The NDF digestibility after 30 hours (NDFd30) was also impressive, reaching approximately 67 % – over 11 % higher than the average.

Perfectly mixed total mixed ration

Using the "Siloking Feeding Management" system, the forage was combined with additional components to create a need and performance-related total mixed ration. The system transmitted this data directly to Siloking’s self-propelled feed mixer, which distributed the forage to 250 cows. The system ensures minimal loading deviations of less than 2.4 % and an average fuel consumption of just 1.05 l/t TMR.

Thanks to the smaXtec pH bolus, mixing accuracy could be monitored over the entire feeding time. The pH amplitude of cows in early lactation was consistently within the optimum range.

Bolus technology for maximum feeding efficiency

A key component of the project was the smaXtec pH bolus. It continuously measures essential parameters such as internal body temperature, rumination, pH values and characteristics of fermentation directly in the reticulum. With these valuable insights, the farmer was able to review and specifically improve the feeding. These ongoing adjustments create a continuous cycle: every piece of feedback is directly used for the next optimisation step. This ensures that the feeding strategy is continuously improved and adapted to the animals' needs.

Special attention was paid to pH monitoring, as it significantly affects fermentation conditions and plays a key role in methane formation. The optimisation of grass silage and improved digestibility of NDF enabled a reduction in the average rumen pH value from 6.4–6.5 to a constant 6.1. The result: improved feed efficiency and an increase in milk yield of up to 9 % – while maintaining consistent milk quality with 3.95 % fat and 3.45 % protein.

Efficient milk production with lower CO₂ emissions

This project clearly demonstrates that the combination of high-quality forage, advanced technology and precise monitoring not only enhances feed utilisation and milk yield but also reduces CO₂ emissions per litre of milk.

A crucial factor is the data-driven analysis and optimisation of the entire production chain – from harvesting and feeding to digestion. Only by taking a holistic approach can farmers implement targeted measures that not only lower CO₂ emissions per kilogram of milk but also provide economic benefits.