'Lots of fat and protein with healthy cows'

Homegrown maize is the main part of the ration of the cows of John and Paulina van Kasteren. They have been feeding this way for over 30 years. The cows are adapted to it and produce well from it. "On our farm we strive for the highest possible production with as many kilograms of protein and fat from healthy cows as possible."

John and Paulina's company is located between the built-up area of ​​Lennisheuvel, an industrial estate, and the Kampina Natura2000 area. They milk 185 cows and also have 130 young stock. Milk production is 11.400 liters per cow per year with 4,11 grams of fat and 3,64 grams of protein. In addition to sugar beets, ware potatoes and chicory, John grows approximately 58 hectares of silage maize, 4,8 hectares of alfalfa and 5 hectares of grassland for his own roughage.

Corn as the main part of the ration
"Corn yields a high nutritional value per hectare. Another advantage of maize for us is that you only have a peak in labor in the spring and autumn. With grass you are quickly engaged in silage every 5 to 6 weeks, with remote plots that does not work efficiently. You can also free up more time for board positions and social commitment", John explains the choice for maize.

Sowing corn in two rounds
"We sow the maize in two rounds: the first round is sown with maize with a longer growing period, and we adjust there undersow up. As a result, we are not bound by the deadline for catch crops. We will sow the second round later, after harvesting a cut of grass. This is what we chose in 2020 LG 31 207, a very early, energy-rich and massive crop. We pit the varieties separately from each other, which gives us insight into the quality of a variety."

Balanced ration
"As soon as the silage is open, we start calculating with it. Based on the nutritional value, we determine how much and which supplements are needed. The main part of the ration is shredded chopped maize. We supplement this with alfalfa and threshed grass seed hay for the structure with in addition, brewer's grains, pressed pulp and minerals. We supplement protein and energy in the basic ration and in the milking robot with concentrates."

Lots of fat and protein from healthy cows
In addition to the ration, the genetics of their herd is important to John and Paulina. "We inseminate the top of our dairy and young stock with sexed semen. We inseminate the genetically lesser cows with Belgian White Blue, with an easy birth. We use embryos for genetically lesser heifers. This way we can make rapid progress towards the goal from healthy cows that can produce many kilograms of fat and protein."

View the maize varieties with the highest kVEM yield per hectare in the Netherlands

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