Martin Franssen: "OmniGen ensures system stability, and stable systems are characterized by high fertility"

Stability as the Key to Fertility

When we arrived at the “Below Farm” dairy farm during our last visit to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Germany), one thing immediately caught our eye: the sick pen was nearly empty. It’s a sight you rarely see on many farms—and one that illustrates the transformation the farm, run by Martin and Johanna Franssen, has undergone since 2021. Martin Franssen is an experienced farm manager; he previously served as managing director at this dairy farm and has developed a keen sense for efficient herd management over the years. At Below Farm, Martin and Johanna are now responsible for just over 1,000 dairy cows and approximately 1,000 hectares of arable and forage land, closely connected to the rural region in which the farm is deeply rooted.

Challenges Despite a Solid Foundation

In 2023, the average pregnancy rate stood at 20 %, while milk yield stagnated at about 34 kg per cow per day. Although these figures appeared solid, they did not reflect the herd’s potential—and certainly not the farm managers’ ambitions. The summer months led to fluctuations in performance, and the herd’s overall health left room for improvement. At the same time, the goal was to reduce unplanned culls and stabilize work processes.

“Cows fed OmniGen come closer to achieving their genetic potential and demonstrate greater consistency in production and health.”

This vision of consistency, health, and performance served as both the starting point and the ultimate goal.

The Desire for Improvement

The focus was on several key areas:

• Fertility: The clear goal was to increase the pregnancy rate to >28%.
• Production: An average milk yield of 40 kg, supported by high-quality forage.
• Herd health: Fewer unplanned culls, more robust animals, and a stable health status.
• Working Conditions: Less stress within the team, more efficient processes, and a herd that requires less intervention.

These goals made it clear: An integrated approach was needed that encompassed feeding, management, barn routines, and animal health.

Step by Step to Success

In 2023, Dr. Arnout Dekker (Phibro) introduced the OmniGen AF system to the farm. Martin and Johanna Franssen quickly decided to launch a structured trial. In July 2023, the herd began using OmniGen AF. Additional measures were also implemented:

• Renovation of the milking parlor and a switch to three milkings per day to increase milk production and stabilize udder health.
• Changes to the dry cow feeding regimen to reduce milk fever and improve the start of lactation.

These changes did not represent a radical break with the past, but rather a cautious yet targeted refinement of existing structures.

Visible Improvements in Health and Performance

By 2025, the efforts had more than paid off. Below Farm achieved impressive progress:

• The pre-calving rate rose from 20% (2023) to a steady 28% in 2025—putting the farm well on track to reach the 30% target.
• Fertility remained stable even in the summer, a traditionally critical period for many dairy farms.
• Average milk yield reached around 38 kg in 2025—a significant jump upward.
• The incidence of mastitis cases in heifers dropped to an impressive 33% of the control period.
• At the same time, the number of unplanned culls decreased, which significantly improved both animal health and the predictability of day-to-day farm operations.

Another, often underestimated effect was the improvement in the work environment: Fewer sick animals, more stable performance, and clearly structured workflows led to a noticeable reduction in the team’s workload. Daily work became calmer—and more efficient.

“High performance in the summer requires more than just energy—it requires stability.”

With OmniGen AF as part of its safety and stability strategy, Below Farm achieved a high and consistent milk yield of 38–40 kg of milk during the summer months.

A farm that demonstrates what’s possible

The story of Below Farm impressively demonstrates that progress doesn’t always come in giant leaps, but rather through steady, strategically thought-out steps. The combination of a consistent feeding strategy, targeted management adjustments, optimized milking routines, and the use of OmniGen AF has enabled the herd to better realize its genetic potential, and the farm is now in a significantly more stable position than it was just a few years ago.

The most important proof, however, is what you see in the barns: a nearly empty sick pen and a high-performing, healthy herd speak for themselves—and for the courage to break new ground.