'A top season for the ensiled grass'

De Boerenbusiness Roughage Tour follows 10 plots of maize and grass spread across the Netherlands this year. High time to take stock of the situation with the 10 participating dairy farmers. This time it is Jan Dirk Ubbels, dairy farmer in Jelsum (Friesland)

The growing season is now over half way, how has it been so far?
"The ensiled grass is of good quality, because we were able to mow at the right time every time. Despite the fact that the soil was still cold and wet for a long time earlier this year, a nice first cut was completed around Ascension Day."

"The fourth cut can now almost be mowed and is in good shape. Part of the plot is a bit light green, so you can see some nitrogen deficiency emerging here."

What is the winter ration strategy?
"Of the cuts that have been silage, the second cut is already being fed. So in the winter the first and third cut will be fed as a basis. This ration does not require extra protein to be fed, because there is enough the silage is in. Maize, pressed pulp and Alkagrain are added to the ration."

You work with a manure digester, how does this work and how do you like the digestate?
"The company has a manure fermenter that works via co-fermentation. This means that half of it is manure and half of it other products and residual waste, which generate biogas in the right proportion. The manure fermenter on the company produces around 200 cubic meters of gas per hour. The digestate is fertilized over the land and gives a good result. There are no visible signs of damage to the soil life."

How has the Roughage Tour been so far?
"It is a very nice and instructive group of farmers, with which I can see how things work in the country. The group is fanatical, so that a lot can be learned from each other. I hope to see results from, for example, the field beans and the fodder beets."

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