XtraBlatt Issue 02-2017

4
3
The sennerei processes 1.2 million l milk per year. Price
paid per litre is currently just below 50 ct and Martin Sichler
is glad that this income is coming in, even during otherwise
difficult marketing conditions. As well as cheese, the
sennerei produces and sells ice cream since 2011. The coop
buildings include a shop as well as a roomy snack bar with
sitting accommodation. Additionally, cheese is also sold
via a grocery chain “Feneberg”, and a wholesaler. The
farmer adds that the cheese has been sent as far away as
South Africa. “For us, it is important that we never let the
sennerei out of our own hands,” he adds.
During the year, Sennerei Gunzesried members get a
basic price of currently 30 ct/l. The remaining 20 ct/l or so
is paid to members as lump sum each spring. Martin Sichler
drives his milk twice daily to the sennerei which has
the advantage that the milk doesn’t have to be cooled on
the farm. At the plant it goes straight into tank or kettle
for the next day’s cheesemaking. “This rounds off the concept
and we have a good basis for our farming business,”
concludes Martin Sichler.
1 The Gunzesried cooperative cheese plant includes
a shop and snack bar.
2 A master cheesemaker, two trained workers
and a student are responsible for cheese production.
A staff of 14 are employed in the shop.
3 Daily ration for the 25 Braunvieh cows includes
hay and freshly mown grass.
4 The Metrac at work on the pasture slopes.
5 Two pastures near the steading are used for
zero grazing, providing daily fresh grass for the
cows.
5
23