The other day, I took part in a “Migration Experience Tour” organized by the Kosai City Manufacturing Promotion Office.

This tour was aimed at people considering moving to or working in Kosai City, and I joined in the hopes of making new discoveries.(It has already ended.)

One of the places we visited was Mansaku Farm, a rare dairy farm that is rare nationwide.

I had heard of Mansaku Farm before, but when I actually visited there, there was a lot I didn’t know.

Through this valuable experience, I felt that I wanted to let as many people as possible know that such a wonderful place exists in Kosai City, so today I would like to introduce the charms of Mansaku Farm in detail!

About Mansaku Farm

Mansaku Farm is a dairy farm in Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

We practice dairy farming with deep roots in the local community, and in November 2022 we began operations as a large-scale dairy farm in the Tokai region.

Although it is a large-scale farm that raises around 1,000 dairy cows, the introduction of state-of-the-art equipment has enabled the farm to improve work efficiency and reduce labor.

In particular, the introduction of a large rotary parlour, the first of its kind in the prefecture, has significantly reduced the time required for milking.

They also use robots to suckle calves and precisely control the temperature and consistency of milk, utilizing technology to produce high-quality dairy products.

Check out the latest machinery and equipment!

The dairy industry is facing the challenges of a lack of successors and an aging workforce.

To address these issues, Mansaku Farm has introduced cutting-edge equipment and aims to become a stress-free “ranch of the future” for both people and cows.

First, let us introduce you to the amazing facilities at Mansaku Farm!

Rotary Parlour

Large rotary parlours are a type of large milking machinery used in dairy farming.

It is more efficient than conventional milking equipment and is designed to milk multiple cows at once.

POINT.01 Rotating platform

The rotary parlour features a rotating platform.

The cows line up in a row and take turns entering the platform, where they are milked as they rotate. When milking is complete, the platform completes one revolution and the cow automatically dismounts.

I was amazed to see that the cows seemed to understand this process and backed up on their own and left the platform.

POINT.02 Ability to handle large numbers of animals

The large rotary parlour at Mansaku Farm can milk 40 cows at once, greatly increasing the efficiency of the daily milking work.

This reduces the amount of manpower required and speeds up the process!

POINT.03 Automation technology

The milking process is largely automated, with milking machines automatically attaching to the cow’s udders (initially manually) and then detaching automatically once the milk has been extracted.

It is also possible to record data for each cow and mechanically track their health and milk production.

POINT.04 Cow-friendly design

This large rotary parlour has been designed to reduce stress for the cows as well.

Because it is a rotary system, the cows are milked in a relaxed state without moving, and the process is completed in a short time, so there is less strain on them.

It is said that cows make the “moo” noise when they feel stressed, uncomfortable or anxious.

However, it seems that the cows at Mansaku Farm rarely moo when they are milked.

You can see that the cows are raised in a relaxed environment!

*It is said that cows mooing is a form of communication, so the above cannot be said in general.

A robot feeding a calf

Mansaku Farm has also introduced the latest feeding robots to ensure the health of calves and their efficient raising.

POINT.01 Automatic feeding system

The calves come to the feeding station on their own and the robot automatically provides them with milk.

This allows the timing of feedings to be controlled so that the calf drinks the amount it needs at the right time.

POINT.02 Health management

The robot records the amount, rate and frequency of milk each calf drinks, allowing it to immediately detect any abnormalities.

For example, if a calf starts drinking less milk or at a slower pace, this could be a sign of a health problem so that early action can be taken.

POINT.03 Labor saving and stress reduction for calves

This eliminates the need for manual feeding, significantly reducing the workload of farm staff.

This allows farm staff to focus on other tasks and increases the efficiency of the entire farm.

In addition, robotic feeding provides a regular rhythm and creates a stable environment for the calves, ensuring they receive the nutrients they need for growth and reducing stress.

Thorough cattle management

As mentioned above, Manzaki Farm has introduced state-of-the-art equipment for milking and feeding, and manages the farm in a way that does not put a strain on the cows.

We also pay close attention to the health of our cows and provide them with a comfortable living environment by creating a stress-free environment.

One of them is the “Compost Barn Cowshed.”

What is a compost burn?

The compost burn is a system that properly manages cow waste and turns it into organic fertilizer, thereby contributing to soil improvement and nutrient circulation for crops.

In addition, adding lime to organic fertilizer increases the fertilizer’s alkalinity, which helps suppress the growth of bacteria.

This reduces the number of pathogens and lowers the risk of cows contracting mastitis.

Beneath the fertilizer there is a pipe like the one in the photo (left), from which air comes out.

The organic matter contained in the organic fertilizer undergoes microbial fermentation using the air ejected.

The higher the temperature, the more fermentation takes place, improving the quality of the fertilizer.

As the fermentation process progresses, the smell of the organic matter decreases, making it easier to use as fertilizer.

Furthermore, when the temperature rises to around 60-70°C, various soil improvement effects can be expected, such as killing pathogens and weed seeds and reducing the risk of pests and diseases.

*The temperature inside the fertilizer can reach up to 80℃!!

In addition, Mansaku Farm uses compound feed produced at the Hamana Dairy Cooperative’s TMR Center, creating a circular dairy farming system.

What is a TMR Center?

A TMR center (total mixed feed center) is a facility that produces and supplies nutritionally balanced feed in one place to improve the health and productivity of cows.

At the MTR Center, we prepare feed by mixing grass, corn, vitamins, etc. and provide it to dairy farmers.

This also leads to cost reductions as it eliminates the need for individual feed preparation and enables a stable supply of high-quality feed efficiently.

The TMR Center plays an important role in supporting a sustainable dairy system while utilizing local resources.

The circular dairy farming system in which Mansaku Farm is involved uses locally produced feed and raises healthy cows to produce high-quality milk.

The waste produced during this process is recycled as fertiliser for pasture and crop cultivation.

Through this cycle, we reduce waste and achieve sustainable agriculture that is kind to the environment.

A cow monitoring passage?

When managing the health of cows, it is also necessary to monitor changes in their appearance.

But there are many things that can’t be seen from a flat surface.

Therefore, at Manzaki Ranch, a walkway has been installed within the facility that allows the cows to be monitored from a height of about 5m.

By observing from two perspectives, at the same height as the cows and from above, you can observe changes in the cows’ behavior that would not be noticeable when viewed on a flat surface.

In addition to being used for observing the cows, this passage is also used as a passage for tours.

What's on the cow's collar?

The cows at Mansaku Farm are fitted with collars and are individually managed by their assigned numbers.

Another important thing to keep in mind when managing your pet is the chewing sensor on the collar (see the red frame in the image below).

The main role of the chewing sensor is to measure the chewing time of cows to monitor their health.

Specifically, understanding the feed intake of each cow can help improve milk production and meat quality, as well as identify the causes of stress and take measures to address them.

Mansaku Farm, which aims to be a futuristic agricultural farm, is improving the breeding environment through data collection and analysis!

The working environment is also excellent!

Mansaku Farm is also actively involved in human resource development, and has created an environment where even those with no experience can work with confidence.

In addition to the latest equipment, the facility is also fully equipped with rest facilities such as shower rooms and laundry rooms, and we also provide support for relocation, such as providing housing allowances to employees from far away.

In addition, there are several foreign nationals working at Mansaku Farm.

It seems that they are accepting foreign workers with specific skills by taking advantage of the specific skills system that was introduced in April 2019.

The Specified Skilled Worker System was established to make up for labor shortages in specific fields such as agriculture and dairy farming, and allows foreigners with specialized knowledge and skills to work in Japan.

Mansaku Farm is taking advantage of these systems to develop a wide range of human resources to support sustainable dairy farming.

This time, we introduced the charm of Mansaku Ranch in Kosai City.

Mansaku Farm is introducing the latest technology and systems to make use of local resources and achieve sustainable dairy farming.

We are also working to improve the health management and productivity of our cattle by accepting foreign workers with specific skills and utilizing compound feed from the TMR center.

Going forward, Manzaki Farm hopes to continue contributing to the local community by providing high-quality milk, while also promoting local agriculture and protecting the environment.

They also hold tours on a regular basis, so why not try one of those too?