Phoebe Bitler Offers Tips for Calf Care and Maintaining Compost Barn and Robotics Facility

Making the decision to invest in new technology like a robotic milking system or a compost barn can be exciting, but it often comes with a learning curve and new maintenance requirements. In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Phoebe Bitler of Vista Grande Farms in Berks County, PA, shares both the benefits and learning curves they have experienced with their robotic milking system and compost barn. Enhanced cow comfort, soil health, and efficiency were a few of the benefits, while bedding costs, weather-related factors and maintenance responsibilities were all part of the learning curve. She also offers her perspective on the five key elements to calf care and how to remove stressors for the youngest members of the herd. Phoebe also discusses transition planning and forging mutual respect between each generation.

“We knew it would require daily maintenance. We use a smaller rototiller in the morning before the first side gets fed. We also have a bigger tiller that digs much deeper. That’s a very important piece of the maintenance – you need to get the compost turned under enough to get it heated up enough to kill all the bugs. That’s what will lead to mastitis and somatic cell problems. You want the compost to be nice and dry. If the bedding is sticking to the animal, it’s not being maintained properly.”

Listen to the podcast episode.