The green stalls and feed barriers of polymer make cows more productive; therefore, it is possible to add a results guarantee as added value when farmers invest in more animal welfare in the future

Cow-Welfare is the company that introduced the market to polymer as an alternative to iron stalls and feed barriers of iron. Founder Tommy Wollesen says about the new concept: “For many years we have followed our customers in and outside of Europe. We are often involved from the beginning when a new barn is built. We know what impact a new barn or a renovation can have in terms of animal welfare. Therefore, we are ready to put our own money on the line and guarantee up to 4 kg extra milk in a new barn equipped with our stalls and feed fence.”

A little less conversation, a little more action

The 2020+ concept is launched to “walk the talk”. Cow-Welfare can tell you about numerous cases that prove the impact of cow comfort improvements in the barn. It is time to show it and not just tell it. The intention from Tommy Wollesen is to make it less risky to invest in animal welfare. If Cow-Welfare promises a farmer an average of 3 kg extra milk from each cow after a barn renovation, but the result is not achieved, the farmer gets 10% of the investment paid back per 1 kg that was not achieved. In other words, if the farmer in this case ‘only' achieves an average of 2 kg more milk per cow, 10% of the investment is returned.

It is a paradox that you need money to get money. It is well known that content cows produce more milk. However, it can be difficult to make the investment that makes them content, because you don't have the money yet. With the 2020+ concept Cow-Welfare hope that farmers and bankers alike can feel more safe and certain that the result (higher yield) offered is fully achievable. In worst case, if no results are achieved, Cow-Welfare loose money as they are obligated pay back up to 40% of the invested sum.

The new Cow-Welfare 2020+ concept explained by four steps

A welfare assessment determines the level of the results guarantee

The core of the 2020+ concept is the products Cow-Welfare already offer, i.e. feeding fence, free stalls, comfort mattresses, and tube ventilation. Added to this is a result guarantee. This guarantee is based on a welfare assessment, which can be characterised as a free by-product. The welfare assessment is the tool Cow-Welfare uses to determine the level of the guaranteed yield. For the farmer, the assessment is a unique opportunity to get the cows' existing conditions analysed, and to get to know the potential of improved animal welfare. In the assessment, specific focus areas are emphasised, e.g. light, air, lameness, udder health, lay-down time, and lying time.

Closer bonds between manufacturer, farmer, and dealer

The farmers who achieve the best results often have a continuous dialogue with Cow-Welfare or one of Cow-Welfare's dealers. Tommy Wollesen explains: “We clearly see that the customers who got excellent advice and feedback in their projects in good time before starting up, and likewise after mounting, they get the highest return on investment compared to those who just bought the product”. The vision for Cow-Welfare is naturally that every farmer achieves the best possible results. Therefore, it is also an important element of the 2020+ concept to establish stronger bonds between Cow-Welfare, the dealer, and ultimately the farmer.

Cow-Welfare's founder Tommy Wollesen, who is in charge of sales and product development

It is crucial that Cow-Welfare's dealers are well educated to offer farmers around the world welfare assessments. In Denmark Cow-Welfare has a veterinarian in the team, who plays an important role in educating dealers internationally. Any Cow-Welfare dealer will not necessarily offer the 2020+ concept. First, they must be certified to make welfare assessments, and this process starts now. Cow-Welfare starts to offer the new product, concept 2020+, already during this certification process. If a farmer is interested but the dealer is not ready yet, this should not stop good initiatives. A member of Cow-Welfare's team will just be closer involved in the project, as part of the cooperation between the three parties.