Dairy Research Farm Zegveld is the experimental farm for peat-soil pastureland and for the western region of the Netherlands. In fact, Zegveld if the only experimental dairy farm for cattle husbandry in the world that is located on peat soil, and is therefore unique!
The farm has approximately 160 milking cows, 80 young animals and 70 hectares of land. Besides Holstein Friesians, traditional Dutch Blaarkop cows are also raised on the farm.
By developing innovations, supplemented with solid research, the experimental farm takes a key role in the renewal of the western rural region of the Netherlands. Moreover, a great deal of knowledge exchange takes place. As a result, new expertise is quickly applied in practice.
The experimental dairy farm is working on a wide range of research issues with a focus on providing solutions that are relevant for Western countries.
Important themes:
- Water table management
- Limiting soil subsidence
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Differentiated milk production
- Differentiated meat marketing
- Peat-soil pastureland Cow & Grass
- Family herd
- Biodiversity
- Optimal utilisation of grass (in the autumn)
- Nitrate and phosphate interaction
- Farming with a high water table
- Toemaak (soil amendment made from straw, sand and canal sediment); animal welfare and environmentally benign soil improvement
- Mobile milking
- Farming without land
Located in the 'Green Heart' of the Netherlands, Dairy Research Farm Zegveld maintains a public walking path through the farm to connect with citizens.
The farm also plays an important role in educating pupils from primary and secondary schools, as well as students in higher education. Every year, Zegveld offers internship positions to six students and receives more than 1500 students for an educational programme.
Approximately 4500 people visit the farm annually.
Route description
Click here for a route map to Zegveld.