More FrieslandCampina dairy farmers turn to outdoor grazing

The percentage of outdoor grazers within FrieslandCampina is expected to grow from 79.4% to about 81% this year. This is close to the 2020 objective of 81.2% - the same level as in 2012.

The final percentage will be determined in December, at the end of the outdoor grazing season.

Acquisition of new outdoor grazers

FrieslandCampina approached members who do not use outdoor grazing for their cows during the past months. Hundreds were given tailor-made advice or attended a special outdoor grazing meeting. This resulted in 303 extra member dairy farms choosing to have their cows graze in the meadows from 2018.

Dutch landscape

Cows in the meadows are a characteristic of the Dutch landscape and make dairy farming visible. In order to keep cows in the meadows, the Outdoor Grazing Covenant was introduced by the Dutch dairy sector, including FrieslandCampina, in 2012.

Reward for outdoor grazing

In order to encourage outdoor grazing for cows, FrieslandCampina rewards its member dairy farmers, who will receive an outdoor grazing premium of €1.50 ($1.73) per 100 kg milk when their dairy cows graze in the meadows at least 120 days per year for a minimum of six hours a day.

Partly outdoor grazing is rewarded with €0.46 ($0.53) per 100 kg milk. In order to be eligible, member dairy farmers must put a minimum of 25% of their cattle out in the meadows for grazing at least 120 days a year for a minimum of six hours per day.

Meadow milk products

FrieslandCampina has a broad range of dairy products made from meadow milk, enabling consumers to make a conscious choice to maintain cows in the Dutch landscape.