• Art & Culture
    • Food & Wine
    • Active & Green

More than just cows

Everything you need to know about the Baronchelli dairy farm. A trip to Lodi to discover what's behind the milk we drink

Alessia Canella, founder of the blog Style Shouts, visited the Baronchelli Farm to better understand the life cycle of cows and experience the wholesome products first-hand.

 

Dairy cows are wonderful animals that require a lot of attention in order to produce quality milk and cheese. Few people realise that there are farms that continue to respect their natural life cycle, raising them in clean environments surrounded by fields and caring for them with love. The Baronchelli Farm is one of these places, situated in the Lodi countryside. 

 

What is the life cycle of the cow?
Visiting the Baronchelli Farm will open your eyes and help you understand what lies behind the birth and growth of cattle. 

The breeds most commonly used in dairy farms are Friesian, Alpine Brown Swiss and Jersey. The life of the bovine animal starts from the birth which, more often than not, is entirely natural, unless human intervention is required. From the first hours of its life the calf feeds on colostrum, the cow's first milk, which is rich in proteins that are essential for development. Until 2/3 months old, the calf is sustained purely by milk, but from just two weeks old it also starts to eat cereals and hay. 

After four months, weaning begins and the calf essentially becomes a herbivore. It will take the heifer another 9 months from this point before it is ready to reproduce. The moment the heifer is pregnant it is separated from the herd so it can spend the gestation period in peace. The last two months are spent grazing, precisely because the natural rhythms of animal life are still important at the Baronchelli Farm.

 

Happy cows make good cheese
The way in which cows are treated affects their well-being and consequently the quality of the end products. The care and love that the cows receive at the Baronchelli Farm ensures that the milk, yoghurt and cheese products are all high quality.

When things are "done properly" by farmers who are passionate about their animals, like it always used to be, it helps to produce healthy and authentic produce that also taste better. Visiting places like this can help us make more informed and healthier decisions about food.

 

Milk school
The Baronchelli Farm organises numerous educational activities for children and youngsters. Whole days are spent on the farm in order to explain the life cycle of dairy cows and the methods used to bring milk to our tables. They are also given the chance to taste typical farm produce, as well as cheese curds.

The aim is to "put youngsters back in touch with agriculture, guide them through meaningful sensory experiences, get them involved in practical activities so that they can experiment and put their know-how into practice, develop their critical thinking."

 


Useful information
Baronchelli Farm: aziendaagricolabaronchelli.com

On the same topic

Itinerary Mincio Po Rivers

A pleasant itinerary to discover the naturalistic and architectural riches of this strip of Lombardy.
  • Art & Culture
Itinerary of Mincio and Po rivers, exploring on two wheels

Brescia in a weekend

From the Roman Brixia to the Opera Festival. Discover Brescia in 48 hours. A journey through time, between culture, passion and nightlife
  • Art & Culture
Brescia in a weekend

7 art capitals an hour away by train from Milan

  • Art & Culture
Lecco città d'arte

Bergamo Photo Gallery

An area to be discovered and visited
  • Art & Culture
Discovering Bergamo from A to Z

The Fourteen Chapels of the Sacro Monte di Varese

  • Art & Culture
The Fourteen Chapels of the Sacro Monte di Varese

Monuments Lecco

From Manzoni to Stoppani: Lecco through the monuments
  • Art & Culture
Monuments Lecco, exploring Lombardy

Monument Varese

Stately homes, religious buildings, fortifications and UNESCO treasures among the beauties of Varese and its surroundings
  • Art & Culture
Monument Varese, what to see

Seven art works to discover in Milan

An artistic itinerary through the streets of Milan, discovering works that transform the city into an open-air gallery.
  • Art & Culture
Seven art works to discover in Milan

A visit to Cerreto Abbey

Cerreto Abbey: a Cistercian jewel of the province of Lodi 
  • Art & Culture
Una visita all’Abbazia del Cerreto

A Day in Pavia

When organizing your trip to Lombardy do not forget to visit Pavia
  • Art & Culture
A Day in Pavia

A Welcome Card to visit Cremona

Your Sightseeing Pass
  • Art & Culture
A Welcome Card to visit Cremona

The Winter Songs

The legend of the coldest days in the year
  • Art & Culture
The Winter Songs

Museums Milan

A list of museums that we recommend to visit, from paintings to statues, from technology to nature
  • Art & Culture
Museums Milan, tips and hints

Marian Itinerary Brianza

The path of the rose that connects 25 Marian shrines
  • Art & Culture
Marian itinerary in Brianza, the path of the Rose

16th Olympic Games of Violin-making

4 settembre - 10 ottobre 2021
  • Art & Culture
16th Olympic Games of Violin-making

Cammino del Vescovado: vineyards and villages

A route in three stages to discover the Terre del Vescovado, amidst picturesque villages, charming hills and famous vineyards
  • Art & Culture
Cammino del Vescovado: vineyards and villages - credits: terredelvescovado.it

Milan, a fun with the children

Ancient castles, amusement parks and interactive museums. Discover what Lombardy offers for children. First stop, Milan.
  • Art & Culture
Milan, a fun with the children

Castles Sondrio

In the mountains between castles and strongholds that challenge the peaks of the Valtellina
  • Art & Culture
Castles Sondrio

Welcome to Cremona!

Cremona is for everyone
  • Art & Culture
Welcome to Cremona!

Discovering Pordenone

Prosegue il percorso condiviso con le città di Piacenza e Pordenone
  • Art & Culture
Discovering Pordenone