Dutch grassland continues to shrink. According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS) figures, the area used by dairy farms will shrink by 2% this year, despite the increase in acreage per farm. Read more about the development of grassland acreage, regional differences, and the consequences for the dairy sector.
The total area of grassland in Dutch dairy farming has been declining for nine consecutive years, according to figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). After the abolition of milk quotas, the area of grassland on dairy farms peaked at 740.480 hectares in 2016. Since then, some grassland has been lost every year.
In 2018, the dairy sector lost the most hectares of grassland, at 2,5%, followed by 2% in 2022 and 2025. The total area has decreased by 72.650 hectares since 2016, to 667.830 hectares this year.
The amount of grassland per dairy cow has fluctuated around 0,4 hectares for 25 years. This year, it will reach 0,38 hectares, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Cows in North Holland have the most space, with almost 0,5 hectares per animal. Brabant cows share a similar area with a barn mate; they each have 0,25 hectares. In North Holland and South Holland, cows not only have the largest area, they also spend the most time outdoors.
In the western Netherlands, the cow has the most grass
The Netherlands has 919 dairy farms with fewer than 50 dairy cows. The cows on these farms have an average of 0,6 hectares at their disposal. On the other hand, there are 2.076 farms with more than 200 cows. On these farms, the animals have an average of 0,32 hectares of grassland. Most farms (3.796) have between 100 and 150 cows with an average of 0,4 hectares of grass per cow.
There are still 12.406 dairy farms in total. These farms house a combined total of 1,466 million cows. That's almost 200.000 fewer than in 2016. The largest decline is seen in young cattle; the number of calves and heifers is almost a third lower than in 2016.