Azienda Agricola Cilloni Alfonso e Casini Luciana
Azienda Agricola Cilloni e Casini was purchased in 1968 by Alfonso’s father, and in 1992 a hay shed and a new barn, with 44 tethered kines, were built.
A free stall with 75 milking animals was introduced in 2004. Alfonso’s son, Riccardo, took over in 2016, formally forming a second company, and the barn was further expanded to 110 milking cows.
Riccardo owns 40 cattles and Alfonso 70.
“The greatest satisfaction is to have started in the 1990s with 10 cowsand now to be here working with my son to whom I have passed on my passion for animals and the environment. This work teaches you to have respect for the environment but most of all it allows me to be free,” Alfonso says.
The 80 hectares surrounding the farm are organically farmed.
A photovoltaic system was introduced in 2010, allowing the farm to be energy self-sufficient.
The free-stall barn and dry paddock where animals can graze two months of the year are key aspects of ensuring animal welfare.
“Since we introduced the paddock there have been many improvements on product quality. The movement strengthens the muscles but more importantly the cows’ minds. They are more relaxed when they give birth. After birth we leave the calf 4 to 5 days with the mother and this also has positive effects on the animal’s welfare.”
