Wigeons and mice affect grassland

Some plots participating in the Boerenbusiness Roughage tour have suffered quite a bit this year. Not only the drought plays a role, also mice, wigeons and geese have feasted on the grass here and there and caused considerable damage.

On the plot in Aartswoud (North Holland) geese and widgeons have done a lot of damage. The damage is greater than in previous years, the farmer concludes. “Here in North Holland, almost every farmer suffers from it.” The farmer mowed his first plot on Tuesday 5 May. “There was considerably less grass on the outside of the plot due to widgeon damage. There was an excellent crop in the middle of the plot,” he says.

The other plots were ensiled by the farmer on Friday. He also sees the consequences in this. “The quality is fine, but the yield could have been better. We had geese and widgeons damaged on many plots and the wet winter has also left traces here and there.” On the plots in Jelsum on the other hand, they are not bothered by vermin. "We haven't had that much trouble this year."

mouse damage
Mouse damage is also a common problem. Several plots of the Roughage Tour 2020 had to deal with this. In Zeewolde the damage caused by the mice was clearly visible. This has recovered well in the spring. The participating livestock farmer also indicates that he has had little loss of yield.

© 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.