Water buffalo, Holstein herds share a barn and milking parlour

SEBRINGVILLE – There are two groups of milking bovines under the one free stall roof here at the Koskamp family farm, separated by a central feed alley, and sharing a 33-stall rotary milking parlour. The farm was recently one of the host farms for a tour by the Progressive Dairy Operators.

On one side of the feed alley are 130 Holsteins with North American genetics, producing about 37 litres each of four per cent F and 3.1 per cent P.

Recommended Videos

On the other side are 230 water buffalo with Italian and American genetics in two groups, producing about nine litres each per day of eight per cent F and five to six per cent P, over a 270-day lactation.

The Holstein side is governed by the regulations and quality standards of the Milk Act, with its milk produced and marketed under sup