Cows back to pasture on Campina’s first day of spring
Today, in line with tradition, Campina celebrates the first day of spring: a quintessentially Dutch moment when the cows are allowed outside again and jump for joy around the meadow. This year, the opening of the farming season took place at the dairy farm of Coen Wantenaar in Soest. Gymnastics champion and Olympics gold medallist Epke Zonderland had the honour of opening the barn doors to let out the cows. Children of the Ludgerus primary school in Soest also visited the farm and showed Epke a cow dance they had learned.
Epke Zonderland marks the beginning of the farmer season by throwing open the barn doors
Each year, it is a special moment: opening the barn doors to let the cows out to pasture for the first time since the winter. Dairy farmer Coen Wantenaar: ‘My family and I look forward to the first day of spring – for us, it's the time when the farming season starts again. It's a great moment for the cows and us.’ Each dairy farmer decides for him- or herself on which day this happens. By throwing open the barn doors this year, gymnastics champion and Olympics gold medallist Epke Zonderland went back to his roots: ‘I’m a farm boy myself – both my grandfather and my great-grandfather were dairy farmers. So every year, it’s a special moment for me when the cows go out into the fields again. It brings back fond memories and makes me feel that spring has sprung.’
Working together for nature
Dairy farmer Coen Wantenaar focuses on sustainable production and is proud to supply milk that bears the independent ‘On the way to PlanetProof’ quality mark. To obtain this quality mark, a product must meet strict criteria in animal health and welfare, nature and climate. Coen explains: ‘The ‘On the way to PlanetProof’ quality mark encourages farmers to keep working on improvements so that we continue to meet the quality mark’s requirements. For example, last year, we made all the cow beds more spacious, and this year we’re looking to see where and how much herb-rich pasture we can cultivate extra in the coming years.’ Moreover, Coen is investing in biodiversity by growing various flowers and plants. He grows 95% of the feed eaten by the cows himself. This puts less burden on the climate than if he had to buy the feed elsewhere.
Campina Open Farm Days
On Friday, 27 May and Monday 6 June 2022, more than 60 farming families all over the Netherlands open their doors to the public during the 15th edition of the Campina Open Farm Days. Everyone is welcome to take a look behind the scenes. Each farmer has a range of fun activities that show you how milk makes the journey from the cows grazing on the meadow to the glass on your table at home.