Interview Coen Wantenaar
'Grazing reflects well on Campina and the sector'
Counting down: Three, two, one. And the barn doors open, officially opening the Campina grazing season. On one side is gymnast Epke Zonderland. At the other door dairy farmer Coen Wantenaar. The start of the grazing season took place today (18 March) at the dairy farm of the Wantenaar Family in Soest.
Traditionally, this event is quite a happening with a festive touch, which the national media also likes to attend. Boerenbusiness was also there and spoke to Wantenaar. He sees the event as a wonderful opportunity to put dairy farming and the Campina brand on the map.
What motivates you to organize the start of the grazing season on your farm?
"It is a fun and festive event to which we are happy to contribute. The ceremonial opening of the stable doors, together with former Olympic champion Epke Zonderland, is just great fun. The organization is quite a hassle, but it I think it is important to come out as a farmer and to connect with society. With this we try to make a positive contribution to the Dutch dairy sector and the Campina brand. Our company, which has 150 cows, is suitable It also helps, so that helps. I knew in advance what to expect today, because it was the third time that the grazing season has started on our farm."
What is it like to farm in Soest, where the environment is becoming increasingly urban?
"The number of dairy farmers in Soest is indeed decreasing. Previously there were fourteen dairy farmers in the street, now only a handful. Nevertheless, the region around Amersfoort is future-proof for dairy farming. The war in Ukraine makes us realize more than ever that food production is necessary. The Netherlands is an excellent country for dairy production. We must cherish that. A critical consumer is of course fine, but we as a sector must not allow ourselves to be remediated. participate in the PlanetProof milk flow. That provides guidance for taking concrete sustainability steps. Last year, the cubicles were thus widened."
You mention the war in Ukraine. As a result, the costs have also increased significantly. Is the milk price currently high enough to keep your head above water?
"Historically, the milk price is now high, but the feed, energy and fertilizer prices have also risen sharply. With the current feed prices, a milk price of €50 per 100 kilos is therefore not enough for a healthy margin. situation. Rigorously adjusting the farm management is not an option for most farmers. What we are going to try this year is to extract more roughage from our own land."
Your father was chairman of the predecessors of FrieslandCampina between 2001 and 2011. As 'son of' you are probably also interested in a board position within the dairy cooperative?
"No, I don't have any management ambitions within the dairy cooperative. Not at all. That has to suit you and in my case it doesn't. Moreover, it takes up a lot of time that I would rather spend running and further developing our dairy farm. I'm a real cow farmer in that regard, and perhaps as the son of the former chairman I know the less attractive sides of a board position too well."
Are you a 'happy' FrieslandCampina member?
"Yes. FrieslandCampina is a wonderful dairy cooperative of which we are a proud shareholder. Of course there are points that sometimes twist, but I don't think the grass is greener on the neighbors."
Wouter Job
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