Adapted Machinery and Technology for Alpine Pasture Dairy Farming

Abstract

The paper highlights that grazing a dairy herd on ecologically pristine mountain pastures facilitates the production of raw milk at reduced costs. Preserving the native properties of milk and achieving superior product quality necessitates prompt milk processing, particularly through efficient cooling and storage at low temperatures. (Research purpose) The primary objective of this research is to substantiate the methodology for dairy cattle management and to develop technological solutions for milking and primary milk processing in mountainous pastures. (Materials and methods) Prototypes of milking machines and cooling equipment utilizing natural cold sources were developed and produced. Trials were conducted on farms in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. A methodology to produce consumable milk has been developed considering the natural and climatic conditions inherent in grazing dairy cattle on mountain pastures and existing machinery for milking and primary processing of raw materials. The technology includes the basic operations such as dairy herd feeding and management, milking, primary milk processing and storage of drinking cow’s milk. (Results and discussion) The technology is poised to enhance milk production by 10 percent, elevate the fat content by 3 percent, and decrease the incidence of mastitis in cows attributed to conventional machine milking tailored for lowland conditions by 40 percent. Moreover, it promises a 15 percent reduction in energy consumption for operating milking and refrigeration equipment as well as an increase in labor productivity. These technical and technological advancements are fortified with patent protection. (Conclusions) The development of dairy farming in mountainous regions, rich in naturally growing, ecologically pristine pasture lands, is an economically attractive direction to produce premium domestic dairy products. Comparative analyses conducted through laboratory assessments and field trials substantiate the viability of employing the proposed technological methodologies and machinery.