The Boon Family wants to produce milk from grass

“I sometimes joke that the ideal situation would be if we could feed our cows without relying on feed ingredients imported through the Port of Rotterdam,” says Kees Boon. “Farming is essentially about turning the land you manage into edible products. I want to produce milk from grass.”

In Delfstrahuizen, father and son Kees and Rik Boon run a dairy farm with 230 milking cows and 100 youngstock on the shores of Lake Tjeukemeer. In recent years, they have significantly expanded the amount of land available to their business. Through, among other things, a partnership with the Dutch Forestry Commission (Staatsbosbeheer), they now manage 250 hectares, much of it subject to delayed mowing dates and higher water levels. The cows are fed large amounts of grass and very little maize. Over the course of the year, fresh grass now accounts for more than 30% of the average ration. “Last year, our cows grazed for around 2,800 hours, but my goal is to increase that to 4,000 hours,” says Kees Boon.

To increase the proportion of fresh grass in the ration, the family installed nearly one kilometre of additional grazing tracks last year, giving the cows better access to pasture. Their breeding strategy has also changed considerably over the past decade.“My ideal cow is small, with a wide muzzle and short legs. She should require little maintenance feed and be able to graze efficiently by reaching the grass easily,” explains Boon.The June issue of Veeteelt features an in-depth report on the Boon family’s dairy farm. In the meantime, you can already enjoy this photo series showcasing the farm. The photographs were taken by Mark Pasveer.