PÖTTINGER all over the world: forage harvesting in Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, one of the most fertile countries in the world, agricultural production focusses mainly on bananas, pineapples and coffee. Costa Rica is the world's biggest exporter of pineapples and is No.2 for bananas. Other products that are exported include melons, papayas and macadamia nuts. Farming is gradually becoming more mechanised, especially with a view to increasing efficiency, and a number of farmers have invested in grassland equipment from PÖTTINGER that can handle steep terrain and conserves the soil.

Little Switzerland in Costa Rica

Now in its second generation, Stefan Ulrich runs the farm and restaurant near the Arenal lake in the heart of Costa Rica. His father emigrated in the 60s from Switzerland to Costa Rica and worked continuously on starting a new life – but in the style of his home country. All of the buildings on his farm are reminiscent of the small alpine country in the middle of Europe.

In addition to the restaurant, the family have built several hotel buildings, two units for the cattle, a church and a small railway that runs up to a viewpoint.

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Fresh forage significantly increases milk yield

The Ulrich family's Latin American farm is operated efficiently and sustainably. The young farmer has specialised in a Swiss breed of cattle, whose milk yield is well above the national average thanks to the PÖTTINGER NOVAALPIN front mower and PONY loader wagon. "In many regions there is still no great value placed on harvesting fresh forage, since theoretically livestock can graze all year round in Costa Rica. In recent years I have been training people at other farms to promote development and increase productivity. As a result, several farmers have switched from grazing to fresh forage harvesting. This has an extremely positive effect on the milk yield. In addition, continuous mowing of the pastures suppresses certain weeds. With the NOVAALPIN front mower, even very tough pants such as reeds can be cut no problem.", says Stefan Ulrich.