Reference date puts agricultural companies in a bind again

Once again, business operations at agricultural companies are in danger of being hampered by a reference year. This time CAP funds are involved. It is now not only about developments in dairy farming, but also about the balance between grass and arable farming. More about that in a new one Boerenbusiness facts. 

To complete the picture, Statistics Netherlands listed the developments in the dairy farm (during the last 10 years). In terms of land, the following results emerged: an average of 9 hectares of land added. Of those 9 hectares, 4 hectares consist of permanent grassland, 4 hectares of temporary grassland and 1 hectare of nature.

Livestock is increasing
In terms of animals, the livestock population increased by 32 cows. The combination of extra land and extra livestock results in a higher average per hectare. This went from 1,6 dairy cows per hectare to 1,9 dairy cows per hectare. An average farm now has 52 hectares and 100 dairy cows. 

Agricultural nature management is mentioned as a location where it is possible to involve nature in agriculture. This probably holds the key to a solution to the CO2 story.