Boerenbusiness is 10 years old this year. In the context of this anniversary we publish on Boerenbusiness various interviews with loyal Boerenbusinesssubscribers. What developments, opportunities and threats do they see? This time it is the turn of arable farmer Rob Meeuwissen (37).
1. Who are you and what kind of business do you have?
"I am Rob Meeuwissen, 37 years old and I come from Gastel, a small village between Eindhoven and Weert. I have an arable farm of approximately 205 hectares with mainly potatoes in the crop plan. I have rented out the pig branch."
2. What motivated you to take out a subscription 10 years ago? Has this affected your business?
"I think we have evolved from the DCA world to the Boerenbusinessworld which was then broken up. In fact, we have been members for more than 10 years. We participate in the futures market for potatoes, which is why we have chosen to stay informed and become a member of you right away."
3. Which page of Boerenbusiness do you always open first?
"The potato page!! And the futures market page."
4. What development (in the last 10 years) are you most proud of in your company?
"In recent years, we have mainly focused on more productivity and quality on the farm and more risk spreading among potato buyers. We have also responded to cooperation with cattle farmers in the area. This results in lower cost prices and a win-win situation with regard to animal manure. that we can use and maize that they can use again that I have left. So a kind of circular agriculture."
5. What hinders you most in your current business and why?"
"Regulations!! We as a sector are increasingly hindered in this. Give the farmer a chance to solve it himself in consultation with the agricultural sector. I think that is much more important than the short-sighted vision of the government."
6. Where do you see the most opportunities for your company and why?
"I do think that as a potato grower you should be able to seize the opportunity to be able to deliver potatoes to your buyer(s) almost all year round and still have some risk and work spread, I will focus on that in the coming years. .
I also chose to grow my own seed potatoes (ATR). That is also something I liked (over 8 years). This allows me to keep a close eye on quality from the start of the cycle, which in turn results in a higher yield and a lower cost."
7. Are you an 'online' entrepreneur or do you still attach great value to information on paper?
"I am an online entrepreneur! I was brought up with computers, so yes, papers are easy to lose, I don't think they are structured that way. Put everything in the right place in the (digital) folders right away."
8. Who in agriculture compliments you?
"That's a difficult question. Before you know it, you're kicking someone's head... I'd say all the farmers themselves, because they work 24 hours, 7 days a week and that should be appreciated by the consumer."
9. Where will your company be in 10 years and will you still be a subscriber?
"First of all, I hope to stay healthy!! But if that doesn't get in the way, I think I'll optimize a bit. Expand the company a bit in the storage of (seed) potatoes, but certainly not many more hectares! And of course I'll stay then subscribe…."
10. If I'm editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness wash then...
"Would I lower the subscription costs and organize an annual barbecue for the regular subscribers."
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