The Robot & Weiden? Voor Elkaar! project is an initiative of NAJK,
Netwerk GRONDig and Aeres University of Applied Sciences.
LEARNING FROM FELLOW DAIRY FARMERS
Do you want to get more out of robotic milking and grazing? Or are you facing challenges and curious about how other dairy farmers tackle them? Then the Practical Network Robot & Grazing is for you!
Within this network, we bring dairy farmers together to share knowledge and experiences. No theory from behind a desk, but practical insights from farmers who successfully apply it in practice.
Study Groups – In four regional study groups, dairy farmers come together at different times to share practical experiences, discuss solutions, and inspire each other. The groups are guided by experienced fellow farmers (ambassadors).
Ambassadors – Four pioneering dairy farmers from different regions serve as the face of the project. They share their knowledge, motivate others, and help you get started with robotic milking and grazing.
Knowledge Sharing – Through online channels, practical examples, and meetings, we widely disseminate the knowledge gained in the sector. This way, you can learn from successful examples and apply the latest insights to your own business.
Meetings & Study Tours – Annually, we organize inspiring meetings and study tours, where you not only gain knowledge but also connect with colleagues facing the same choices as you.
Are you curious about how to get the most out of robotic milking and grazing? Join the Practical Network Robot & Grazing and discover how fellow dairy farmers can inspire and help you further!
Want to know more or sign up? Subscribe to our newsletter or keep an eye on our website and social media for updates!
For more information? Contact Roos Roeleveld via netwerk@robotweiden.nl
Kijk op de sector //
Innovatie & Techniek
The 'Robot & Pasture' project focuses on identifying and testing monitoring systems that objectively record the number of hours spent grazing. One of the five systems we are testing is Collie. In addition to tracking grazing hours, Collie offers the added benefit of virtual fencing technology—essentially an invisible fence. Naturally, eliminating the need to install or move posts and wire saves a great deal of time.
Results of in-depth interviews and survey on motivation
Why do dairy farmers using milking robots deliberately choose to let their cows graze, while others do not? As part of the project *Robot & Weiden? Voor elkaar!* (Robots & Grazing? A Perfect Match!), we conducted in-depth interviews with dairy farmers. The farmer's motivation emerged as the common thread. Technology, infrastructure, and robot capacity are important, but ultimately, it is the farmer who determines the importance of grazing within the farm operation.
During the Grazing Covenant Day, one message was central: the decline in the number of dairy farms with grazing will not stop on its own. Various developments are putting current grazing figures under pressure. Robotization and increasing labor pressure also play a role in this. At the same time, grazing remains of great value to the image and public support of the dairy farming sector.
In Ireland, milk production is based on pasture grass. Most farmers employ a system of block calving, whereby all cows calve within a period of a few weeks starting in early February. The fresh cows go out to pasture day and night as soon as possible. To have a pasture cut available early in the season, farmers start harvesting grass as early as autumn that survives the relatively mild Irish winter unscathed.
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Nederlands Agrarisch Jongeren Kontakt
Smallepad 32 – Wing 1, Floor 6
3811 MG Amersfoort
The project ‘Robot & Grazing? Let's do it!’ is an initiative of the Working Group Meerweiden and is carried out by NAJK, Aeres University of Applied Sciences, and Network GRONDig.
