Alp & Pasture

At Alpuro Breeding, we are continuously looking for new ways to expand our knowledge and further optimize calf rearing. The Alp & Pasture project is a great example of this approach. Within this project, we work closely with our customers as calf-rearing specialists.

At participating farms, we install a group shelter (excluding side walls) in the pasture, combined with a concentrate feed box. Heifer calves are housed here during their grazing period.

The calves are turned out to pasture between 3 and 7 months of age. This is a crucial stage in which achieving optimal growth is of great importance. For this reason, calves in this age category often remain indoors, where unlimited hay and concentrate feed are readily available. With the Alp & Pasture project, we aim to demonstrate that strong growth can also be achieved during grazing. Thanks to the shelter and the continuous availability of concentrate feed, we create conditions similar to those found in traditional indoor housing systems.

To properly evaluate the results, we measure the calves before they are turned out to pasture. Using a special measuring tape, we determine their weight. At the end of the grazing period, the calves are measured again, and their weight gain is calculated. These results are then compared with those of calves that remained housed indoors during the same period.

With the Alp & Pasture project, we aim to show that optimal calf growth and grazing can go hand in hand. By combining animal welfare, practical experience, and performance, we continue to work together with our customers to further improve calf rearing.