Research into the effect on yield, forage value, soil, insect supply for meadow birds and introduction of herb-rich grassland on dairy farms.
Online Open Day
19 March
Online Open Day
4 June
Online Open Day
19 March
Online Open Day
4 June
Research into the effect on yield, forage value, soil, insect supply for meadow birds and introduction of herb-rich grassland on dairy farms.
The aim of the Cows and Herbs project is to map out the added value of herb-rich grassland for farmers and the environment. An increasing number of farmers are interested in herb-rich grassland and want to start using it. Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences (VHL) is investigating how herb-rich grassland can best be established and managed, and optimally integrated into agricultural operations. This includes examining the effects on cow health and economic feasibility. The university collaborates with agricultural collectives, leveraging the knowledge and experience of farmers who already work extensively with herb-rich grassland. Both parties hope that by working together, the use of herb-rich grassland will increase.
On Dairy Campus, commissioned by VHL, the Louis Bolk Institute has sown three different herb mixtures for research into their effects on yield, feed value, soil quality, and insect availability for meadow birds, as well as optimal management practices.
Additionally, in autumn 2017 and spring 2018, strips of herbs were sown on six farms. The purpose of these demos is to determine the best ways to introduce herb-rich grassland on dairy farms. The project addresses questions such as "how do you create a system with herb-rich grassland?" and "how can you best manage these fields?".
In spring 2017, an inventory of insect richness will take place on five dairy farms that already use herbs extensively: the best practice farms. Insects and botanical composition will be monitored on herb-rich fields and fields without herbs. Soil quality will also be assessed on these farms. By mapping cow health, diet, and the business model, the added value of herb-rich grassland for both the farm and biodiversity can be visualised. To fully utilise the new knowledge and experiences of all participating farmers, field visits for fellow dairy farmers from the province of Friesland will be organised. Around these visits, a study group will be formed to exchange knowledge and experiences during the project.
In this project, three applied research groups within VHL are collaborating:
Additionally, the Animal Husbandry and Animal Management programmes are involved. The project is funded by the province of Fryslân, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Dairy Campus Innovation Fund, SNN, and the Centre of Expertise Agrodier. The project is executed by VHL in collaboration with agricultural collectives, the Louis Bolk Institute, Dairy Campus, and the Butterfly Foundation. On behalf of the Centre of Expertise for the Living Environment and the province of North Holland, VHL is conducting a similar project in North Holland.
For more information, contact Anne Jansma, project leader of Cows and Herbs.
Magazine Koeien en kruiden (Dutch, 14,1 MB)