'Feeling at A-ware is better than at FrieslandCampina'

Jos Rotteveel (42) milks 120 cows in Irnsum, Friesland. He receives help from his wife Judith and sometimes also has a separate helper. He outsources or has automated many things, including feeding. In the summer of 2017 he decided to switch from FrieslandCampina to a-ware and as of March 1, 2018, the company will receive the more than 1 million kilos of milk that its dairy herd produces annually. Since last summer he has been supplying Albert Heijn under the concept and now receives a plus of €0,03 per kilo on top of the basic milk price.

Why did you switch to A-ware?
"There was a process that may have lasted a few years. During the time of Friesland Foods I was a satisfied member, but after the merger everything literally and figuratively became increasingly distant. I was always lacking, especially in communication. more often the good feeling. Everything was imposed on us. I noticed that all proposals from the management were always approved by the members council. I don't understand that and it annoyed me."

"To top it all off, the standstill came in 2017, which was dumped on our plate without consultation in the autumn of 2016. This turned out very badly for us. I complained and was told that I was simply producing too much, while They were still openly crying out for more milk 1 year earlier. When A-ware offered the opportunity to come there, it was clear to me that it was time to switch."

Do they communicate better at A-ware?
"From top to bottom, the people at A-ware speak the farmer's language. Jan Anker, the CEO of A-ware, explains what is and is not going well in achieving a milk price from the market. In addition, he is straight for his turnip. I like that, because it maintains mutual understanding. When I call an employee for practical questions, I receive immediate and good help. They immediately understand what I am talking about. Someone else may not care so much about it, but I find that pleasant and important for a dairy company. That farmer's feeling and understanding has unfortunately been lost at FrieslandCampina. At A-ware I find again what I previously experienced at Friesland Foods as the good feeling."

The disappointing milk price of A-ware does not make you hesitate?
"We recently had a spring meeting and Jan Anker freely admitted that the first months of 2019 have not been too bad. He then explains that sales in China are not yet going as well as hoped. On the other hand, things are going well in the United States. wish."

"I expected and hoped for a slightly higher milk price, but Anker's explanation is clear and honest. In addition, we also participate in Albert Heijn's concept. With the plus of €0,03 per kilo that we receive for this, we can compete well with the total milk price at FrieslandCampina."

Doesn't the fact that FrieslandCampina has now launched Planet Proof change your opinion?
"I know the milk flow for Planet Proof that FrieslandCampina has now introduced, but it is doubtful whether we would have qualified for it. We farm extensively and it is not easy to score above average on all kinds of points from the Kringloopwijzer. It is a lot anyway. more complex to participate in Planet Proof, compared to how we could register for Albert Heijn's concept."

"Participating in Albert Heijn's concept cost us approximately €3.500 (for the purchase and sowing of herb-rich grass seed) and the VLOG feed costs approximately €0,01 more per kilo of milk. We already met the requirements of less than 2,5. 18.000 LU, less than XNUMX kilos of milk per hectare and we are land-based. On balance, this works out well for us."

Will A-ware pay a higher basic milk price than FrieslandCampina in the future?
"I often hear the comment that Anker will never pay more than FrieslandCampina, because he wants to boost his own purse. However, I trust that A-ware will pay a market-based milk price over a longer period of time. The AH concept is running satisfactorily and I I know that they are already talking about an extension. In principle, I would like to continue participating in that, although you always reconsider it with new requirements. In any case, I have a lot of confidence in that milk flow and with the plus of €0,03 I trust that I will also receive an excellent milk price from A-ware in the coming years."

"However, you also have to assess something like this over several years. And perhaps in 5 years I will have to conclude that it was not an economically good step to switch after all. That is of course a shame, but I will not regret this step anytime soon. A good feeling is also worth a lot to me."