How One Italian Dairy Is Creating a More Sustainable Future

Located in the heart of central Italy’s Macchia Grande, Maccarese Farm is dedicated to sustainable agriculture that preserves the natural woodlands and wetlands of the region. As one of Italy’s largest dairy producers, the farm provides 10% of Rome’s daily milk consumption. To create a safe, nutritious food supply and fulfill their sustainability commitment, Maccarese makes herd health a top priority. After all, healthy cows are not only more productive cows, but ones that use fewer natural resources too. Maccarese’s purpose is one that we share at Zoetis. With regular visits to the farm, our Zoetis team of business and technical support managers are working side by side with their herd health team to review and continuously improve health management protocols and practices – with a constant focus on disease prevention, prediction and early detection.

Since we first partnered with Maccarese last year, I’ve been particularly impressed by their use of rapid diagnostic testing. Using a small milk sample, they can detect instances of disease, identify which individual cows need treatment, and determine if antibiotics are required. Through the precision of diagnostics -- and support from Zoetis and the Zooprophylactic Institute of Rome — the farm has reduced antibiotic use by 55 percent. We applaud the strides Maccarese Farm has made in animal health, and we’re incredibly proud to collaborate with a team that’s creating a more sustainable food supply and a healthier future!