When the Stobbe family moved from Abbotsford to Mara, BC, in 2003 they immediately had a problem to solve. Thank goodness farmers are problem-solvers and see every challenge as an opportunity to improve efficiency.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 important to cool raw milk as quickly as possible,香蕉视频直播� explains AJ Stobbe. 香蕉视频直播淢ilk grows bacteria when it香蕉视频直播檚 warm. The longer it香蕉视频直播檚 warm, the more bacteria it grows.香蕉视频直播�
In Abbotsford the Stobbe family used electricity to rapidly cool their raw milk from 38 degrees Celsius to 2.5 degrees Celsius and natural gas to heat their barn and other buildings. However, their new farm in Mara didn香蕉视频直播檛 have access to natural gas, and they didn香蕉视频直播檛 want to use propane to heat buildings. So they followed the lead of cutting-edge farmers in Europe and installed a geothermal system - not only does it draw heat from the milk, it also repurposes that heat to warm the barn, offices and their family home.
香蕉视频直播淥ur primary goal was to invest in our cows, keeping them healthy and productive. But it香蕉视频直播檚 a real source of pride that we香蕉视频直播檝e found a way to use this technology to heat the floor in the barn and other buildings as well,香蕉视频直播� Stobbe says.
Today, the farm doesn香蕉视频直播檛 use any fossil fuels other than diesel in its tractors. They香蕉视频直播檝e also recently started a blueberry farm, and are committed to keeping it insecticide-free so it香蕉视频直播檚 a safe place for pollinators.
香蕉视频直播淪ustainability is a balance. We香蕉视频直播檙e still running a business, so if we don香蕉视频直播檛 make a profit we香蕉视频直播檙e not sustainable long-term. If creation around us dies or our cows are unhealthy, that香蕉视频直播檚 not sustainable either,香蕉视频直播� Stobbe says. 香蕉视频直播淎nyone who comes to our farm for a tour immediately sees how much we care. We love showing people everything we香蕉视频直播檙e doing.香蕉视频直播�
Sustainable farming for future generations
On the Saanich Peninsula on Vancouver Island, is also focused on longevity through sustainability.
香蕉视频直播淲e still have cows in barns my great-grandfather built. Preserving that family heritage is pretty big for us,香蕉视频直播� she says. 香蕉视频直播淢y family香蕉视频直播檚 been farming for four generations, and I would love for the family to continue farming here for another four generations. We can香蕉视频直播檛 do that if we don香蕉视频直播檛 take care of the land and the animals.香蕉视频直播�
They香蕉视频直播檝e dug ditches to capture rainfall reducing erosion and preventing flooding while also providing a source for irrigation. They have plans to add solar panels, and plant fast-growing Empire apple trees that will sequester carbon dioxide and support pollinator populations.
香蕉视频直播淲e won香蕉视频直播檛 have any food if we don香蕉视频直播檛 have any bees,香蕉视频直播� Mickey says. 香蕉视频直播淭here are a lot of really cool sustainable practices I would love to do, but it takes time to fulfil them all.香蕉视频直播�
Caring for the environment, the people and the cows
Back on the mainland in Agassiz, is also a careful steward of the land. When his parents started in 1960 their dairy farm was rural, but now houses have sprouted nearby. So he香蕉视频直播檚 worked with the community to plant hundreds of native trees and shrubs and install a walking trail on the farm香蕉视频直播檚 perimeter that香蕉视频直播檚 free for his neighbours to use.
香蕉视频直播淭his is a beautiful place to live, a great place to raise kids,香蕉视频直播� he says. 香蕉视频直播淵our farm environment should be about contented animals and contented employees, who are fairly compensated, well treated, and where educational opportunities are encouraged. You take care of the environment, you take care of people, and you take care of the cows.香蕉视频直播�
Learn more about sustainable farming practices at and on , and .