What is the case?

The dairy farming industry contributes to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss via ammonia emissions, and poor water quality due to nitrate, phosphorus, and pesticides. Greenhouse gases are caused by rumen fermentation, manure storage and application, and peat oxidation. The quality of surface water, air, and soil is under severe pressure. Therefore, dairy farming must undergo a system transition towards a future-proof dairy farming model, according to the frameworks of the National Rural Area Program (NPLG) and the Frisian Rural Area Program (FPLG). The current farming practices do not align with the goals set out in the NPLG for the future.

What is the project doing about it?

Field labs are designed to meet knowledge and innovation needs by creating collaborations for innovations in a realistic experimental environment, with co-creation at its core. In Friesland, we are designing a field lab for dairy farming on peat, clay, and sandy soils, involving 15 additional dairy farmers. We are looking for enthusiasts and pioneers for this project. During this project, we will explore whether this will be one overarching field lab with the three different soil types (clay, peat, and sand) as sub-field labs, or three separate ones, and whether the area will be expanded to include Northern Netherlands (including Groningen and Drenthe).

What does the project deliver?

Ultimately, we will deliver a design for a field lab. The design plan includes inventory, analysis, and anticipation of niche formation and structural changes, with designs for field labs and functions, including preconditions such as funding and evaluation. In the context of PPLG, innovations are supported through field labs in various transition paths, including high-tech open systems, sustainable agriculture, and strengthening the relationship between agriculture and society. The transition path 'Nature and Landscape' focuses on the preservation and development of natural values. Through these transition paths and PPLG support, innovation is stimulated, contributing to a future-proof agricultural sector.

Project details

Applied Research Group Leaders: Robert Baars, Wiepk Voskamp, Peter van de Maas
Project Duration: 2024
Project Partners: Van Hall Larenstein (lead partner), WUR/Dairy Campus, Province of Friesland, Stichting Hegewarren Innovatiepolder Veenweide in formation, dairy farming businesses on clay, peat, and sandy soils respectively.

This project is co-financed by the European Union.