Dairy could use some shine

Landscape pain. Until recently, no one had heard of this, but in the meantime, especially in the north of the Netherlands, the discussion about this subject has erupted. Is nature-inclusive agriculture the solution? 

'Blau de himel, grien it gers' is the name of the new documentary by Fryslân DOK. The documentary is about a "crying" landscape where meadow birds and nature are under pressure.

And also looking back. To how the cultural landscape with a lot of grass has developed over the centuries. How man and landscape form a whole. With a leading role for farmers. Farmers pulled from the clay, fighting with and against the water and continuously increasing the yield from this land. To 'buorut to buorkjen'. 

Problems are not solved enough
The documentary is part of a long series of articles and discussions about "landscape pain" in the Leeuwarder Courant, but also in national magazines, Vrij Nederland and in the last week of April even on TV with Pauw. It is part of an ever-increasing criticism of Dutch dairy and dairy farming.

The criticism focuses on the sector's continued failure to solve problems sufficiently. This concerns manure policy, grazing, biodiversity and cultural landscape. This is despite the fact that some of the farmers do work on nature and despite the good contribution to the Dutch economy. The sector is in the process of losing its luster in society. Time for change.

Give milk a color
The Irish have already colored milk for more shine. With the Origin Green campaign (appropriate name) they focus on the value of grass. It gives them a good reputation with more sales in various international markets. Even selling "healthier milk" is a fact and is being sold on a reasonable scale at a supermarket chain in Ireland.

The health claim can be traced back to a lot of grass, which gives the milk high levels of amino acids. This process will continue with more demand from the market. It is also what we need in the Netherlands from dairy and the government, to opt for sustainable and nature-inclusive dairy farming. 

Bottom up dairy
Now we as individual citizens, farmers and entrepreneurs do not have to wait and we can take action. In recent years I myself have developed bottom-up dairy that does take into account meadow birds, sustainability and a beautiful cultural landscape. Because I felt this was and is necessary.

Milk from the Boerengilde is now being processed in the dairy brand Weide Weelde and I have started with the new Frisian cheese brand De Fryske. By buying and selling cheese, our customers, consumers, retailers, restaurants and soon also companies and institutions are already contributing to a more beautiful Friesland. From talking to doing.

In concrete terms: from landscape pain to enjoying with a good feeling. The more bottom-up is done, the more it will inspire dairy and market parties to take steps. Milk could use more shine. Let's give dairy a push together. 

Catherine Wierda

Catharinus Wierda is a dairy entrepreneur, initiator of De Fryske and co-founder of Boerengilde. His father was a dairy farmer and Wierda herself studied soil science. It is committed to a sustainable agricultural sector.

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