Dutch dairy farm expands to 230 cows with low labour requirements

27-05 | Farm visits | Article

Pieter and Laura Verhagen's farm has a compact layout; all the livestock is housed under one roof. Since the start of the contracting business and substantial growth in mechanisation, some of the machinery is now located outdoors – likely temporarily. The youngest calves are kept outdoors in front of the cubicle barn, confined in igloos and group pens. Photos: Bert Jansen

Pieter Verhagen doubled the number of cows with phosphate rights in 15 years and started a contracting business with his brother. Land acquisition is not a priority; simple systems and low labour requirements are. Cheerful and a touch nonchalant – that is the first impression you get when speaking to Dutch farmer Pieter Verhagen. He remains cheerful, but the nonchalance fades. It quickly becomes clear that every step he has taken in his more than 20 years of entrepreneurship has been well-c

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