Field trip of Summer Course Smart Farming System

Global Academic Engagement of Universitas Brawijaya (UB) collaborated with Wageningen University and Research, IPB University held a field trip in a series of summer course smart farming system events. Several lecturers from UB accompanied this activity: Dr. Eko Nugroho; Dr. Marjuki; Dr Nuning; Asri Nurul Huda M.Sc. MP; Awang Tri Satria, S.Pt., ME; Zia Rahman, S.Pt., M.BA; Khoirul Umam, S.Pt., MP; and from Wageningen University and Research: Dr. Mariska vd Voort; Prof.Bedir Tekinerdogan; and Prof.Dr.Ir. Henk Hogeven.

The activity was a field study on managing dairy cattle at the “SAE” Pujon Dairy Cooperative. This field trip was held as a series of closing events for the summer course. Field trips were conducted by visiting dairy farming centers in the Pujon and Ngantang areas on 18 August 2023. The activity began with a visit to the “SAE” Pujon dairy cooperative. The participants were greeted by the secretary of the Cooperative “SAE” Pujon.

The participants attend the explanation on cooperative profiles, dairy cooperative management, and handling of dairy cattle after the disease outbreak. Dr. Mariska vd Voort (WUR), Prof.Bedir Tekinerdogan (WUR) also provided experience in handling disease outbreaks to prevent the loss of the economic value to the farmer. Next, the participants visited the animal feed division, where the participants saw the process of making animal feed concentrate. The event continued by visiting the dairy cow pens in the Pujon KUD area: calf stables, cattle rearing pens, and lactating cow pens. Participants received an explanation of the activity process in the dairy cow commodity.

The next activity was followed by visiting dairy farmers assisted by the Pujon cooperative. This time the participants visited the farmer Mr. Puji. in sebaluh village, this farmer raises 25 lactating cows and six calves. This farmer has implemented a smart farming system where one of the parameters is applying the “biogas” system. These farmers can produce natural gas for daily needs, such as cooking and water heating and can save more energy from waste product management.

Overall, the participants were very enthusiastic about the field trip activities after getting the course material in class and continuing with field application in managing dairy cattle with commodity output milk and its processed products. Participants hope this activity can be continued with exciting material to fill their activity time the following summer.