Description

Practice abstract

Jan Coppelmans is a dairy farmer from Wintelre. He keeps 100 dairy cows on light sandy soil on 30 hectares. Three years ago, he started grazing his cows. The main reason for this was the societal preference to see cows in the pasture.  

Since Jan Coppelmans does not have enough pasture to graze the entire herd, he only grazes part of the herd. Therefore, it is especially important for Jan to make the most efficient use of the available space. 

This is why Jan purchased a herd of Jersey cows last year. His experiences so far are as follows: 

• Jerseys consume less feed at the feed fence 

• The heifers quickly learn to graze 

• They seem to be natural grazers, which is why Jan wants to continue with them 

• Jerseys produce less milk, but it is richer and ‘thicker’ 

Jan suggests that Jerseys are an efficient breed, known for producing high-quality milk with relatively lower feed requirements. He believes that incorporating more Jerseys could contribute to a more sustainable approach in Dutch agriculture. Additionally, their ability to thrive on pasture makes them well-suited to the country’s landscape. However, others might have differing views on the ideal breed selection to achieve these goals.

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