Gulang County: Perfecting the "Golden Dairy" Supply Chain from Pasture to Table

Gulang County: Perfecting the "Golden Dairy" Supply Chain from Pasture to Table

Driving along the smooth asphalt roads, the outline of the Ecological Dairy Industrial Park in Huanghuatan Resettlement Area, Gulang County, gradually comes into view. Rows of standardized cattle barns stand in orderly formation, showcasing the vibrancy of modern farming under the sunlight.

Located along the 37°N "Golden Dairy Belt," Gulang County boasts exceptional natural conditions that provide a solid foundation for dairy development. The arid climate reduces cattle diseases, abundant sunlight enhances nutrient absorption, and the pure meltwater from the Qilian Mountains nourishes high-quality forage while creating a pollution-free farming ecosystem. This makes the region a recognized hub for dairy farming and forage cultivation. Today, the dairy industry here continues to expand—with a total of 58,300 dairy cows and daily fresh milk production reaching 450 tons. A 5-billion-yuan dairy cluster is rapidly taking shape.

At the ranch operated by Gansu Jiabingyun Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd., calves bask lazily in the sun after feeding, while glossy-coated mature cows freely graze on nutritionally balanced forage, painting a serene picture of farming.

"The ranch currently houses 5,000 dairy cows, including 1,800 mature cows, producing 50 tons of fresh milk daily. This year’s total output is expected to reach around 17,000 tons," said Li Yuwei, the ranch manager. To ensure cow health and milk quality, the ranch has assembled a professional technical team. Veterinarians conduct twice-daily inspections, monitoring cows' feeding, drinking, and overall condition, promptly addressing issues like calf diarrhea and keeping the culling rate of mature cows strictly below 5%. From calf rearing to milk production, the ranch implements a "nanny-style" feeding service with clear standards at every stage, laying a solid foundation for milk quality.

Quality control begins at the source. The ranch employs TMR (Total Mixed Ration) precision feeding technology, with professional nutritionists formulating scientifically balanced diets tailored to cows' growth stages. The milking process is equally rigorous—cows undergo strict disinfection procedures, including medicated baths and towel wiping, before automated milking machines extract milk, which is then transported through sealed pipelines to prevent any air exposure and contamination.

"Every can of milk here embodies a fully traceable supply chain from pasture to table," Li Yuwei explained. "From feed storage to milk delivery, over ten inspection procedures ensure compliance with national green food standards. Consumers can trace each sip of milk back to its specific ranch and herd, achieving true 'source traceability, process control, and quality assurance.'"

At the ranch of Gansu Zhuoyue Fuming Biotechnology Co., Ltd., 80 rotary milking parlors operate with advanced international equipment. Freshly extracted milk is instantly cooled to 1°C via tubular heat exchangers, preserving maximum nutrition and freshness. Established in 2024, this modern ranch has quickly risen to industry prominence through high-standard planning and construction.

The company currently maintains 4,000 dairy cows, producing over 90 tons of fresh milk daily. All cows are purebred Holsteins imported from Australia, selected for superior genetic performance through genomic testing. The company plans to collaborate with domestic research institutions and international partners, focusing on A2, high-yield, high-protein, and high-fat breeding. Within five years, it aims to establish a national core breeding center and a high-quality fresh milk production base.

Guided by the strategy of "strengthening leading enterprises, supplementing supply chains, and clustering industries," Gulang County has prioritized the Ecological Dairy Industrial Park as a key initiative. Efforts focus on high-quality forage processing and high-yield dairy cow breeding, adhering to standards of standardization, scale, intensification, and water-efficient development. By emphasizing "growing good grass, raising good cows, and producing good milk," the county continues to enhance its dairy industry’s competitiveness in high-yield breeding, premium forage cultivation, and quality milk production.

From individual ranch operations to coordinated industrial clusters, Gulang County’s dairy sector is advancing steadily. Today, 11 large-scale farming enterprises form the industry’s backbone, while the "forage cultivation—dairy farming—fresh milk sales" supply chain continues to improve. This not only boosts local incomes but also brings "Gulang milk" to broader markets and family tables, earning consumer trust as "reassuring milk." From eco-friendly ranches at the foot of the Qilian Mountains to supermarket shelves in distant cities, Gulang County is unlocking the full potential of its "Golden Dairy Belt," turning the vision of prosperity into reality—one bottle of milk at a time.