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FrieslandCampina launches pilot to accelerate regenerative agriculture
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Thursday, 01 August, 2024, 15 : 00 PM [IST]
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Amersfoort, The Netherlands
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FrieslandCampina is working towards sustainable dairy farming with a focus on animal health and welfare, climate, soil, water and nature. Regenerative agriculture is one of the promising routes to a future-proof form of business for member dairy farmers. Customers also see opportunities and are willing to invest in regenerative agriculture. ‘This is why, with the Regenerative Agriculture Pilot, we are committed to accelerating the development of this form of agriculture,’ said Guus van Laarhoven, sustainability manager at FrieslandCampina.
Regenerative agriculture in dairy farming aims for a natural balance between the production factors of cow and soil. It combines sometimes ancient knowledge with modern means and techniques. The farming practices contribute to healthy soil, clean water and diverse nature. This strengthens the balance between the carrying capacity of the earth and food production.
Practical experience
The pilot brings together a diverse group of 20 FrieslandCampina member dairy farmers from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany in a study group. Based on practical experience, they will develop knowledge, experience and insight about the effects of regenerative farming practices over the next few years. This will also focus on practical and financial feasibility of measures.
In practice, the route to regenerative agriculture looks different for each farm. The farmer diversity in the study group is therefore essential to gather different insights. What the dairy farmers have in common is the motivation to explore together what it means to farm ‘regeneratively’ and what the impact is on the farm.
“Step by step, together with our father, we are trying to apply regenerative farming practices. We use less fertilisers and sow clover, which absorbs nitrogen from the air and puts it into the soil. We see the study group as an opportunity to exchange practical experiences so that we can make the farm even more sustainable in the future,” stated Giel and Wessel Willig, dairy farmers from Blankenham and study group participants
Four showcase farms as inspiration
The kick-off of the study group took place last May 28 at dairy farmer Robert Nijkamp's farm in Raalte. Nijkamp's farm is one of four demo farms within the pilot. These farms are already actively integrating climate and nature measures and are achieving demonstrably good results. They represent different business philosophies: organic, nature-inclusive, circular and efficiency. In doing so, they serve as practical examples and sources of inspiration within the study group.
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