Although the feed track plan to reduce nitrogen emissions from the Dutch dairy herd has not been coordinated with the sector, it is manageable for the majority of dairy farmers, according to the Ministry of Agriculture (LNV). They also do not cost the dairy farmer any money, it is promised. Sometimes a lot of effort is required.
After talks with the Agricultural Collective failed, the cabinet worked out the feed track on its own. “Although I regret this, it is my responsibility to continue with the feed track as agreed with the House,” Agriculture Minister Carola Schouten said in an explanation to the trade press on Wednesday.
With the feeder track, the cabinet wants to gain nitrogen space for housing construction. Initially, a 0,6 ton ammonia reduction was booked for this year, but this will no longer be possible due to a lack of time. The reduction standard is now set at 0,2 tonnes. From September to December, dairy farmers are asked to reduce the amount of concentrates, depending on the soil type and production. In the meantime, the Senate and House of Representatives can still have their say on the plans, as can the European Commission. Dairy farmers can increase existing stocks until September.
Soil type and production
For dairy farmers on sandy and loess soils, the amount of roughness in concentrates is limited to 191 grams per kilo. On clay soils this is 171 grams, while on peat soils no more than 164 grams of protein per kilo of concentrate may be fed. For companies with a milk yield of 20.000 kilos per hectare or more, the standards are slightly higher.
According to the ministry's planners, generic reduction is too harsh, given the contents of roughage, which vary greatly depending on the soil type. For dairy farmers who farm on multiple soil types, which soil type is in the majority applies. Wet by-products are not restricted, because a restriction does not fit in with the circular agricultural plans that the government is pursuing. This makes dairy farmers limited flexibility in their business operations.
The standards have been calculated based on 2018, the driest year in recent decades. In doing so, the government says it has chosen a safe reference year, because the roughage at that time was high in protein. If the share of crude protein in the total ration falls below 155 grams due to the measures, animal health and milk production may be at risk. In that case, exceptionally more protein can be fed. The average is now 165 grams and the government wants to intervene with the measures. The government therefore expects that the scheme will not cost dairy farmers any money. Only time will tell whether this statement is correct. In any case, the ministry does not want to give any guarantees on this point.
Coaches for guidance
The ministry, in consultation with Wageningen UR, believes that the standards are manageable for many dairy farmers, but at the same time require effort. Coaches become available to help guide. It is not yet known who they are. Self-mixers may run into problems because products such as soy meal and turnip are high in protein. But because the arrangement is temporary, the ministry will not make an exception for this group. As a result, this group of dairy farmers may have to use more compound feed.
In addition to the Agricultural Collective, the plans have also not been coordinated with Nevedi, the trade organization for the animal feed sector. The minister does not think that the plans are a surprise, because this scenario has already been discussed with the Agricultural Collective, which also included representatives from Nevedi. The government's aim is to work with the sector to set up a structural package of measures from next year that can be used within the Aerius system. In that case, discussions with the Agricultural Collective must first be resumed.