Bounty of the fields: China's secret to top-class milk

In the vast pastoral landscapes of China, a simple yet profound principle underpins the nation's quest for premium milk: "Good grass feeds good cows, good cows produce good milk."

This age-old wisdom, now amplified by cutting-edge technology and scientific management, has propelled China's dairy industry to new heights, turning once-degraded grasslands into thriving hubs of high-quality milk production and breeding world-class dairy cows that rival global competitors.

The journey of a glass of premium Chinese milk begins with a blade of grass and, in Ar Horqin Banner in Inner Mongolia autonomous region, this journey is a tale of ecological revival and agricultural innovation. Back in the 1990s, 90 percent of the natural grasslands here suffered from varying degrees of desertification.

Today, the scene is unrecognizable. Through large-scale artificial planting efforts, vegetation coverage has soared to over 95 percent, painting the land a lush green. At the heart of this transformation is the cultivation of alfalfa, known as the "king of forage". Covering 55,000 mu (3,666 hectares) in Ar Horqin Banner, this nutrient-dense grass is a game-changer for dairy farming.

"We harvest alfalfa before it blooms to maximize its nutritional value and digestibility," said Wei Xiaobin, manager of the grass-planting project.

"Our wrapped silage alfalfa has a protein content of over 25 percent and, currently, no other forage can match its quality."

Rich in cellulose and vitamins, alfalfa boasts a digestibility rate of over 70 percent for dairy cows, ensuring optimal nutritional balance and boosting milk production.

Remarkably, alfalfa's appeal isn't limited to cows. It has also found its way onto dining tables, with dishes like alfalfa scrambled eggs gaining popularity — a delightful testament to its exceptional quality.

Behind the success of alfalfa cultivation lies meticulous care for the soil and advanced digital management.

"Growing good grass starts with a good seedbed, adequate fertilization, sufficient water and timely plant protection," Wei said.

To streamline these processes, the team has developed the HuiCaoYun smart system, which digitizes every step of the journey — from seed selection and soil surveys to planting plans, field production and harvest management.

Once harvested, the fresh alfalfa is packed into 1.2-meter-high, 800-kilogram "grass cans" using wrapping machines. Through sealed fermentation, these cans not only preserve the grass' original nutrients but also generate large amounts of lactic acid bacteria, creating a nutrient-rich silage that has become a favorite "feast" for dairy cows.

Intelligent pastures: Crafting customized nutrition for happy cows

The high-quality alfalfa from Ar Horqin Banner's grasslands becomes the cornerstone of the dairy cow diet at the Chilechuan Ecological Intelligent Pasture — linking the hard work of grass cultivation directly to premium milk production.

"Alfalfa is the base, but we go further with tailored nutrition," said Wang Haibo, the pasture's director.

"We mix it with corn silage, flaked corn, beet pellets and soybean meal, then adjust formulas for lactating cows, pregnant cows and calves. This scientific blend boosts the protein and fat in our raw milk — key indicators in which China's raw milk now outperforms European Union standards.

"For hygiene, our milk's total bacterial count stays far below the EU's 100,000 CFU/mL limit, a vital mark of quality."

Beyond nutrition, technology elevates cow care. Wang pointed to a fully intelligent unmanned barn, where robots handle cleaning, feeding and milking.

"Cows live in a human-free space," he added.

"When it's time for milking, they head to the rotary system on their own — no intervention needed."

This seamless tech not only reduces stress on cows but also guarantees good hygiene, ensuring every drop of milk meets top-tier standards.

Chinese dairy cows join the global elite

Good grass and intelligent management lay the groundwork, but it's the genetic quality of the cows that truly unlocks the potential for premium milk.

Professor Li Xihe, a leading expert in dairy cow breeding, emphasizes the critical role of genetics: "Producing good milk requires two pillars — excellent cow genetics and top-tier management. Each contributes 50 percent to the final product.

"Only when these two are combined and nutrition is scientifically adjusted can we achieve high milk yield and superior quality."

China's dairy industry has made remarkable strides in cow breeding, moving beyond traditional methods to embrace innovation. In the past, breeding bulls relied on dairy herd improvement, a time-consuming process. Today, the industry has developed its own genetic evaluation and identification chip for dairy cow pre-implantation embryos — a breakthrough that has revolutionized breeding efficiency.

The results speak for themselves. In July, the latest genetic evaluation results for Chinese dairy bulls were released. The bull numbered 15,522,027, bred by Saikexing Research Institute, achieved a Genomic Combined Performance Index of 2905, ranking it first in China. This was a significant milestone: China's dairy cow genetic resources and breeding quality have now reached world-class levels.

"Globally, our new technologies in dairy cow breeding have distinctive advantages that place us on par with international leaders," Li added.

"Domestically, we lead in both the genetic quality of breeding cows and the size of our breeding population. This is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence."

A bright future for China's premium dairy

From the green pastures of Ar Horqin Banner to the Chilechuan Ecological Intelligent Pasture and the cutting-edge breeding labs, China's dairy industry is writing its own story.

The principle of "good grass feeds good cows, good cows produce good milk" is no longer just a saying — it's a proven formula that synchronizes ecological responsibility, technological innovation and scientific expertise.

As China continues to invest in grassland restoration, intelligent farming and genetic research, its premium dairy products are gaining recognition both at home and abroad.

This journey is not just about producing better milk, it's about building a sustainable, high-quality dairy industry that embodies China's commitment to excellence and its ability to blend tradition with innovation.

For consumers around the world, a glass of premium Chinese milk now tells a story of resilience, ingenuity, and a deep respect for the land and the animals that nourish us.