Experimental dairy farm De Marke carries out research and demonstrates that it has a clean and profitable dairy farming system. The aim is to reduce the environmental impact to a minimum. Specifically, it’s about minimising losses of ammonia, nitrate, phosphate and greenhouse gases. We use manure and minerals as efficiently as possible so that we need as little raw material and energy as possible. This reduces the ecological footprint from production. In this way, we ensure that the Netherlands remains an attractive place for milk production.
The knowledge obtained is used by - and benefits - the pioneering farms that are part of the project Koeien & Kansen (Cows and Opportunities), which De Marke also belongs to, and through them the entire dairy farming sector. In addition, as part of the Interreg IVB project DAIRYMAN, we are collaborating with knowledge institutions and dairy farmers in North-Western Europe.
The research is being carried out by Wageningen UR Livestock Research and Plant Research International, part of Wageningen UR, and is primarily funded by the Dutch EL&I Ministry (Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation) and the agricultural community (LTO/PZ).