Background Ko-Calf
Phosphate rights lead to sad end of Ko-Kalf
The company Ko-Kalf from the Gelderse Doornspijk is for sale. The company switched to organic dairy cattle in 2015, but due to a shortage of phosphate rights, owner Ko van Twillert is now putting the whole thing up for sale. "I am one of the worst victims of the phosphate rights system."
Ko-Kalf was founded about 20 years ago by real estate entrepreneur Ko van Twillert. With a passion for organic (dairy) livestock farming, he started his own beef cattle branch of the 'Blonde d'Aquitaines' breed and this meat was sold through its own label. Ko-Kalf also provided group tours, so many people have seen the stables with their own eyes over the years.
"The company was transformed into an organic dairy farm in 2015, because the beef cattle branch could not be made profitable in the end," Van Twillert said. Now, about 4 years later, he is forced to put his company up for sale.
150 cows removed
"We decided in 2014 to convert the organic beef sector into an organic dairy farm. In 2015 we renovated the stables and in January 2016 we started milking 240 dairy cows of the 'Fleckvieh' (dual purpose cow)" explains an excited Van Twill out. In the course of 2017, the entrepreneur was told that he had been allocated far too few phosphate rights, because no dairy cattle were kept on the farm during the reference date (2 July 2015). "Then we made a request to use the bottleneck arrangement, but unfortunately without success."
Van Twillert had reduced his herd to 2018 cows in the course of 150. "However, a few days after Christmas, we were told that we could only keep 2019 dairy cows in 20." That meant he had to clear out almost all the dairy cows between Christmas and New Years to avert an economic crime. "We did not produce a drop of milk in 2019, because with the phosphate space for 20 cows, we only kept a few young stock."
"This sad event cost us a lot of money. We bought our cows at the time for €2.100 and then had to dispose of almost half of them. We also had to dispose of pregnant heifers and that really touches your heart. The phosphate rights system has been my life's work broke."
Organic dairy farming not guilty
Van Twillert is therefore also furious that organic dairy farming has had to bleed for the phosphate surplus. "The organic farmers do not make use of the derogation and do not have a manure surplus. With our organic approach, we already comply with the circular vision of Minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality)", says Van Twillert.
- Ko van Twillert
"I even dare to say that my dairy farm is perhaps the worst affected by the phosphate rights system." Buying additional phosphate rights is not an option for Van Twillert. "The bank did not want to finance these phosphate rights and I did not have the money myself." Selling land to buy rights with that money was also not an option for the livestock farmer. "Which farmer is going to sell land and then buy back phosphate rights, when the rights are probably finite? That would be a bad investment, but unfortunately it means that we had to stop our dairy farm."
According to Van Twillert, our rights system cannot be explained to anyone: "I can still fill my stables with beef cattle, but I am no longer allowed to keep dairy cows (because of the phosphate rights). What is the difference in manure production between beef cattle and dairy cattle?" In recent years, he has sent various letters of objection to Minister Schouten, but he received no reply. "The ministry says that the rights system was established together with LTO Nederland and Dutch dairy processors. Unfortunately, these parties do not represent organic dairy farming. I have already spent €50.000 on attorney's fees, but unfortunately without success."
Costs continue
Van Twillert recently decided to put his dairy farm up for sale. Over the years I have invested over $5,5 million in buildings, but I will probably never get that amount back. "I hope I get half."
He hopes to sell his company quickly, because the costs are currently continuing. "Our own manure production has come to a standstill. To fertilize our meadows, we should even have to buy organic cattle manure. This is because there is an organic manure shortage. We now fertilize with organic pig manure, but that is not our preference."
'Ultramodern dairy farm'
Van Twillert has put his company up for sale at the brokerage Havinga from Briltil in Groningen. The brokerage is enthusiastic and speaks of an ultramodern dairy farm. "In 2015 a milking parlor (Dairymaster 2 x 22 Swing-over) was built that is still brand new." In addition, according to the broker, there is a modern free stall barn and investments have been made in extra feed storage. The stable complex offers space for a total of 460 animals.
Ko-Kalf has over 200 hectares of land, which is also for sale. According to the broker, not all of these plots are located near the home plot. In addition, there are 2 commercial houses. The broker says that the dairy farm can also be sold or leased in parts.
Ready for (organic) dairy farmer
Havinga expects that there is definitely a market for this business, given that construction costs have risen significantly in recent years. In addition, applications for a building permit and NBW permit (Nature Conservation Act) have a long lead time and are difficult to issue. "This company is literally ready to move in and already certified organic, although a conventional dairy farmer can also farm super here."
"The object must of course fit someone, but excellent money has been made in recent years in both dairy farming and arable farming," says the broker. Van Twillert himself hopes that his dairy farm is purchased by an organic dairy farmer, given that all these years investment has been made in the certification for this.
Wouter Job
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