Why Dutch dairy farming is relevant

The lessons learnt in Dutch dairy farming are relevant to dairy development programs worldwide. Most of these programs focus on dairy intensification for increasing cattle productivity, and include crossbreeding local breeds cattle with Holstein Friesian (HF) breed through artificial insemination. Over time this may lead to several unexpected complications for farmers, environment and project managers alike – see the article:

In the worldwide support to dairy programs the experiences from Dutch dairy farming are combined with international experience on natural livestock farming on sustainable ways to produce quality milk, without chemical residues. This is based on the NLF 5-layered approach, including the use of herbs (ethno-veterinary practices) as well as sustainable breeding strategies.

How can we support?

Dutch Farm Experience, together with other partners within the Foundation for Natural Livestock Farming, have developed several methodologies to support dairy farmers, including:

  • Wheel of Animal Production and Wellbeing – a participatory tool for dairy planning, monitoring and evaluation
  • Review lessons learnt in Dutch dairy farming, and see which of those are applicable in the local situations
  • Training courses on safe use of herbs and herbal products (Ethno Veterinary Medicine) for farmers and veterinarians
  • Contextualize the Natural Livestock Farming 5-layered strategy for sustainable dairy production, and residue free milk to the local conditions
  • Organize an NLF exchange & training program, for example to NLF-India, on the safe use of herbs (Ethno Veterinary Practices) for prevention and cure of important cattle diseases, such as mastitis
  • Studies on a variety of topics related to sustainable livestock production in a changing context. Special expertise in livestock & climate change, and reduction of antibiotic use.

Worldwide dairy support projects

On request, Dutch Farm Experience can provide direct project support, for example for implementation of the Wheel of Animal Production and Wellbeing as a planning, monitoring and evaluation tool with smallholder dairy farmers.

Another form of project support is through implementation of NLF strategy, including the safe use of herbs, for specific challenges in dairy project such as mastitis, ticks and tick-borne diseases, calf mortality and milk quality problems. For this project support the linkage with expertise from the international NLF partners is sought, for example on Ethno Veterinary Practices.

Indirect project support is possible through dairy project evaluation, training of project staff, exchange visits to Natural Livestock Farming partners with specific expertise, and studies on topics related to dairy farming.

interested? Contact us to discuss the possibilities.

Due to the COVID crisis the tailor made tours have have ceased, just like the international dairy support and the exchange programs. Dutch Farm Experience is active, however, and available for on-line training events.

Get in touch

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Clients and partners From worldwide dairy support projects