Outdoor grazing contributes to valuable contact between humans, who consume milk and dairy, and cows that produce milk. At FrieslandCampina, we believe that outdoor grazing for dairy cows is important. We have various ways of encouraging our farmers to let their cows graze outdoors.
A happy and healthy cow produces good milk. It starts with the cows having enough room to move, space to lie down, plenty of fresh air and good nutrition. That is why many of our dairy farmers in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium allow their cows outside if the weather permits.
The sight of cows grazing in meadows contributes to the valuable contact between humans and the cow as the producer of milk.
We support outdoor grazing for cows. At the same time, we believe that each dairy farmer should choose whether or not to allow his/her herd to graze outdoors and what grazing method to use.
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The majority of our dairy farmers allow their cows to graze outdoors: in fact, just over 80% of them. The decision to allow outdoor grazing is all about finding the right balance between animal welfare, environment, company costs and feasibility.
Outdoor grazing for dairy cows is an attractive option for many dairy farmers. They like to see their cows outside. Many dairy farmers also find that outdoor grazing is the cheapest way of feeding their herd. Analyses conducted by the Wageningen University and Research Centre have revealed that outdoor grazing for dairy cows is a more economically viable option for dairy farmers than feeding cows indoors all year round and cutting the grass themselves (using machinery).
Many dairy farmers also enjoy seeing their cows grazing. Outdoor grazing is a challenge for them as farmers and it is enjoyable work putting the cows out to pasture and bringing them in again.
Nevertheless, some dairy farmers opt to keep their cows inside all year round. These farmers have cowsheds with the space, ventilation and general comfort required. Dairy farmers have many reasons for choosing this option. One of them is that the environmental laws of national and European governments discourage outdoor grazing in some cases. It is also difficult to opt for outdoor grazing if the herd is larger than 100 dairy cows. And the combination of outdoor grazing and an automatic milking system is more difficult than combining outdoor grazing with the classic milking methods.
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All our member dairy farmers in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium can take part in our outdoor grazing programme. Farmers whose cows graze for at least 120 days a year and for at least six hours a day receive an incentive payment. Independent monitoring organisations check whether our member dairy farmers are in fact allowing their cows to graze outdoors.
For practical information on outdoor grazing, our Dutch member dairy farmers can contact the Outdoor grazing foundation (Stichting Weidegang). The foundation can also assist dairy farmers in difficult situations such as dairy farmers with large dairy herds and relatively little land or dairy farmers with an automatic milking system (milk robot).
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In the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium, you can see a lot of cows grazing outside in the summer months. In many cases, these are the cows owned by our dairy farmers.
In the Netherlands and Belgium, you can buy Campina milk with a modified fatty acid content. This milk comes from dairy farmers for whom outdoor grazing plays an important role, combined with modified feeding.
In Germany, you can buy our Landliebe milk. At Landliebe, outdoor grazing also plays an important role.
And our organic dairy, too, available in various countries, comes from dairy farmers who use outdoor grazing.
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