News FrieslandCampina
Use of grazing is growing exponentially
FrieslandCampina sees exponential growth in the use of outdoor grazing among member dairy farms in 2018. It is the fourth year in a row that more dairy farmers are switching to grazing and in percentage terms it is the largest increase to date.
At 303 FrieslandCampina member dairy farms, the cows will be grazing again in 2018. This is evident from the registrations for the grazing season. Due to the increase, the percentage increases from 79,4% in 2017 to 81% in 2018, the largest increase to date.
Cow in the green meadow
"The cow in a green meadow. That is what characterizes the landscape and what makes the dairy sector visible," said Frans Keurentjes, chairman of the board of the dairy cooperative FrieslandCampina. It is also the reason why the dairy farmer spends so much time and money on grazing.
"In recent months, FrieslandCampina has approached members who do not yet graze their cows. Hundreds of them have received tailor-made advice or attended a special grazing meeting." The result is 303 member dairy farmers who will use outdoor grazing in their business operations. "What the increase in the number of member dairy farms with grazing means for the ultimate grazing percentage will only be known at the end of the year."
Target in sight
Since the dairy farmer started to encourage outdoor grazing, the number of grazing dairy farmers has steadily increased. Because this is often a decision that requires more preparation, it is quite possible that this trend will continue next year. Through the Grazing Agreement, the goal has been set to apply grazing on 2020% of dairy farms by 81,2.
At FrieslandCampina this is stimulated by a premium of €1,50 per 100 kilos; €1 of this comes from the market. The remainder is settled through the distribution of milk money. For example, dairy farmers who do not use outdoor grazing are reduced by €100 per 0,35 kilos through a cooperative arrangement.
Extra via VLOG
The dairy farmers who use outdoor grazing and who are located near Born and Workum can also earn €1 extra by meeting the German VLOG standard, which means that they must produce GMO-free milk. "Interest among members is good," said Jan-Willem ter Avest, spokesperson for FrieslandCampina.
Although the meadow milk is partly supported by the market, this does not apply to VLOG. The German market agency AMI recently announced that this milk is usually sold on the market without premium is offered. It indicates the additional expenditure to obtain this milk is through expanding market share must pay back.
Herman van den Pol
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