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Amazing Grazing: A Public and Private Partnership to Stimulate Grazing Practices in Intensive Dairy Systems

Author

Listed:
  • René Schils

    (Agrosystems Research, Wageningen Plant Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Bert Philipsen

    (Animal Nutrition, Wageningen Livestock Research, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Nyncke Hoekstra

    (Agriculture, Louis Bolk Institute, 3981 AJ Bunnik, The Netherlands)

  • Gertjan Holshof

    (Animal Nutrition, Wageningen Livestock Research, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Ronald Zom

    (Animal Nutrition, Wageningen Livestock Research, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Idse Hoving

    (Livestock and Environment, Wageningen Livestock Research, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Kees van Reenen

    (Animal Health & Welfare, Wageningen Livestock Research, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Marcia Stienezen

    (Animal Nutrition, Wageningen Livestock Research, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Cindy Klootwijk

    (Animal Nutrition, Wageningen Livestock Research, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands
    Animal Production Systems, Wageningen University, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Joop van der Werf

    (Animal Health & Welfare, Wageningen Livestock Research, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Léon Sebek

    (Animal Nutrition, Wageningen Livestock Research, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Nick van Eekeren

    (Agriculture, Louis Bolk Institute, 3981 AJ Bunnik, The Netherlands)

  • Ingrid van Dixhoorn

    (Animal Health & Welfare, Wageningen Livestock Research, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Agnes van den Pol-van Dasselaar

    (Animal Nutrition, Wageningen Livestock Research, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands
    Department Grassland and Grazing, Aeres University of Applied Sciences, 8251 JZ Dronten, The Netherlands)

Abstract

In many intensive dairy regions in northwest Europe, a decline in grazing is observed. In the Netherlands, the proportion of dairy cows with access to pasture is declining, as well as the time spent grazing per cow. The decline in grazing is seen as an unwanted trend by many stakeholders and is, thus, under debate amongst dairy farmers, the dairy chain, and society. Therefore, a public–private partnership was initiated to encourage grazing by providing farmers with usable means of improving their grazing systems. The partnership involved stakeholders from the dairy farming community, dairy and feed industry, agrotechnical industries, advisory services, and research. The objective of this partnership was to develop and stimulate technological innovations and management measures that increase fresh grass intake at pasture. The innovation network combined an integrated research approach with farmer working groups and broader stakeholder interactive meetings. The project started with a comprehensive grass intake framework, which was the foundation for exploration of innovations. The framework consisted of six interlinked components: soil, grass growth, grass supply, grass intake, feed supplementation, and cow behavior. In a continuous interactive cycle, strategic choices were made to focus on potentially effective innovations. The use of a public–private partnership to develop usable innovations that encourage grazing practices proven to be a good approach to develop a shared vision among stakeholders. It provided a basis to work together toward innovative practices and to disseminate the outcomes to the foreseen users. The approach succeeded in design concepts for two specific innovations, i.e., weekly grass growth predictions and daily fresh grass intake tracking. We demonstrated that meaningful grazing and fresh grass intake are possible in intensive dairy systems with high stocking rates and high levels of supplementary feeding.

Suggested Citation

  • René Schils & Bert Philipsen & Nyncke Hoekstra & Gertjan Holshof & Ronald Zom & Idse Hoving & Kees van Reenen & Marcia Stienezen & Cindy Klootwijk & Joop van der Werf & Léon Sebek & Nick van Eekeren &, 2019. "Amazing Grazing: A Public and Private Partnership to Stimulate Grazing Practices in Intensive Dairy Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:20:p:5868-:d:279209
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hermans, Frans & Geerling-Eiff, Floor & Potters, Jorieke & Klerkx, Laurens, 2019. "Public-private partnerships as systemic agricultural innovation policy instruments – Assessing their contribution to innovation system function dynamics," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 88, pages 76-95.
    2. O’Brien, Donal & Shalloo, Laurence & Patton, Joe & Buckley, Frank & Grainger, Chris & Wallace, Michael, 2012. "A life cycle assessment of seasonal grass-based and confinement dairy farms," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 33-46.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mathilda du Preez & Monique H. Arkesteijn & Alexandra C. den Heijer & Małgorzata Rymarzak, 2022. "Campus Managers’ Role in Innovation Implementation for Sustainability on Dutch University Campuses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Nyncke Hoekstra & Gertjan Holshof & Ronald Zom & Bert Philipsen & René Schils & Nick van Eekeren, 2020. "The Effect of Grazing System and Level of Concentrate Protein Feeding on Milk Production and N Use Efficiency of Dairy Cows on Peat Meadows," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-16, February.

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