My family has been involved in the management of our farm in the Cremona countryside (Po Valley) for more than 60 years. Today, our team is made up of myself, (I care the herd), my father who cares for the fields, and the business administration, my mother Luciana and my sisters Stefania and Francesca cooperate in the management but overall they feed and take care of the calves. We improved the management of our herd generation by generation and finally we started to raise and milk the animals “made” by aAa analysis in our farm.

Unexpectedly these animals got an average score of 82 points comparing with the 79 points of the other cows, higher production (all the first calving cows achieved 40 kg of milk a day) and a better health. In particular stress and heat resistance and shorter recovery period after a disease.

Today we have a lot of variability in our herd: we have Holsteins, Red Holsteins, Anglers, and some cross-breeding among different dairy breeds (Ayrshires, Red Danish, Swedish Red, Guernsey and Reggiana).

All the animals in the farm are analyzed and mated by aAa analysis (cows, heifers from 13 months, and home farm bulls). More than 95% of the calves born at the farm are the result of an aAa mating in different percentages: from 60 to 100 per cent. Today we are very satisfied that 75% of the herd is pregnant, have a very low stillbirth rate, and show a uniform development of the cattle and a lower first insemination age for the heifers.

Also the semen tank is now “full of life” and colour as I keep at least 30 different bulls with different aAa numbers, characteristics and breed. The management of the herd is easier with aAa analysis making the job more fun but higher in the quality. And the animal handling is now easier too! aAa analysis is the engine which moves our barn.

Marcello Soldi