'Fertiliser indispensable in dairy farming'

Opinions on fertilizers are strongly divided. For example, A-ware recently turned against the use of fertilizers in dairy farming. How does Marc van Doorn, chairman of Fertilizers Netherlands, view the issue?

Zuivelaar A-ware and the Dutch Dairy Farmers' Union (NMV) are making noise against fertilizers and are of the opinion that dairy farming can do without fertilizer. Does fertilizer still have a future in that sector?
"Absolutely, Meststoffen Nederland stands for sustainable fertilization. In our view, animal manure is the basis, supplemented with fertilizer. This is to bring the right nutrients to the crop at the right time. Contrary to the negative sounds of A-Ware and the NMV, only a very small part of the greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farming (about 3%). In addition, the most commonly used fertilizer (CAs) produces negligible ammonia emissions, compared to cow manure. So by using fertilizer, in addition to a basic fertilization with animal manure, you still get the best balance."

Does fertilizer fit into circular agriculture?
"Yes. If you make the circle big enough, we supply fertilizer to the arable farmer, who supplies his products to an animal feed company. He then delivers it to the dairy farm, where the product is converted into milk and manure. You make biogas from manure in a fermenter, from which you can make fertilizer.According to the CBS (2015), the main external source of nitrogen is imported concentrate.That is produced with fertilizer from outside the Netherlands.Manufacturer is for the most part the source of the nutrients that our dairy cattle process, either in or outside the Netherlands. Without fertilizer no feed, and therefore no circular agriculture."

What does the future of fertilizer without gas look like?
"At the moment it is economically the most profitable to produce fertilizer on the basis of gas, also in the Netherlands; alternatives are possible based on (green) electricity. However, for the time being this is no less than 3 times as expensive. We also do not have enough electricity and cables to make this switch. It is also important to know that almost all fertilizer in the Netherlands is made on the basis of imported gas, so not on the basis of gas from Groningen."

How realistic is a world without fertilizer?
"Completely unrealistic; fertilizer feeds life in the world. Without fertilizer, there could be 50% fewer people and animals compared to now. However, the world population is expected to grow by a few billion people. That is why Meststoffen Nederland stands for sustainable nourishing life."

What will fertilizer prices be like in the future, if gas prices rise?
"Gas is the most important cost item for nitrogen fertilizers in particular; higher gas prices therefore put upward pressure on fertilizer prices. Since we hardly use gas from Groningen, I am a strong proponent of decoupling the import gas price and the gas price in Groningen† For example, by making gas from Groningen more expensive, the government could promote the switch and solve the problem of reductions in Groningen more quickly."

Anne-Jan Doorn

Anne Jan Doorn is an arable expert at Boerenbusiness. He writes about the various arable farming markets and also focuses on the land and energy market.

aj.doorn@boerenbusiness. Nl

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