Ground-bound: can it be a little more or should it be a little less?

Ground-bound is hot. The term 'ground-bound' is widely used, but can be interpreted in different ways. It is therefore good to have an unambiguous vision on this term, which a committee will now consider.

What is striking about the word 'land-bound' is that dairy farmers look at their own situation and identify it as the most ideal starting point. In that case, a certain amount of livestock units (LU) that can be kept on 1 hectare is often assumed. On the other hand, the term is also used for the number of hectares needed for grazing and the roughage required for the livestock.

Diversity in the Netherlands
Our small Netherlands is diverse, diverse in many types of dairy farms. The yield of each hectare of grassland also varies. This depends on the soil type, but also on the dairy farmer's management. A LU standard for the whole of the Netherlands is generic and suggests that every dairy farmer would harvest the same amount of grass per hectare.

A generic standard, we know that from the fertilization standard. The fertilization standard that is the same for the whole of the Netherlands, regardless of the country's production. A generic standard that ensures that the soil is plundered in certain areas, resulting in a decline in soil fertility. This is because the fertilization is much lower than the harvest that is obtained from the land.

Only your own livestock
Or do we want land-relatedness that only applies to forage crops that are used for our own livestock? After all, land-based implies a closed cycle as close as possible. Ideally, a cycle would also mean that balanced fertilization may take place on the forage crops using own manure. This means an acceptance of manure-feed contracts. But do we dare to go further, and would a closed cycle also mean that minerals from slurry can be exchanged for products such as pressed pulp and brewer's grains?

In a closed cycle, a company that grows more grass per hectare would also be allowed to keep more cows. This is the way to balance the number of cows with the soil. A generic standard does not bring this. Land-relatedness differs per company and can be determined per company using the Recycling Guide.

A clear vision
Formulating an unambiguous vision will not be easy. The contrasts between the regions are great. Moreover, many organizations will be happy to participate in the discussion. Organizations that aim to make the rules in such a way that fewer and fewer animals are kept in the Netherlands, and will therefore want to introduce generic standards.

A LU standard will also become a subject of negotiation, a little more or a little less in exchange for another political item. It is certain that generic standards stand in the way of innovations, in which the Netherlands is great. Land-relatedness will therefore have to be approached company-specifically. A company-specific land-related nature creates the most environmental benefits and creates space for the future.

Carla Decker

Dairy farmer in Zeewolde

© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.