As the world changes, you change with it, according to dairy farmer Willian Tol, who runs a farm with 290 dairy cows in Zeewolde. That is why he chose to join the new milk stream 'Koe Bewust’(Cow Aware)' in 2024. Sustainability and animal welfare are paramount here.
'Our first conversation with Royal A-ware in 2019 was an immediate success. The short lines of communication, flat organisation and efficient way of working appealed to us immediately. We decided to team up. The company's positive attitude and ambitions are inspiring. It is well known that there is a big responsibility on the agricultural sector. Royal A-ware puts a positive spin on this by seeing it as a challenge. They exude that too. That attitude fits ours perfectly.
In 2024, Royal A-ware launched the 'Koe Bewust' milk stream. I was quickly convinced that this suited our company. Society wants more focus on sustainability, so we must embrace it. The conditions to deliver in 'Koe Bewust' align well with our operations.
We were already partly prepared. In doing so, improving animal welfare fits well with our business philosophy. That means attention to thick mattresses, hoof care, medication recording and the KPI related to calf health. The biggest changes were in breaking open the back wall of the barn, modifying the water supply to provide more drinking stations for the cows and increasing the number of cow brushes. Although the ventilation already met requirements, we are enhancing it still further.
Animal welfare has always been a high priority, but 'Koe Bewust' embeds this. We had to invest and it also takes more time in terms of registration, but in return we get a premium of four cents per liter of milk. I think it is important that this is a real performance bonus, decoupled from the milk price. This way, as an industry, we can show that we take good care of our animals and the land.'
This way, as an industry, we can show that we take good care of our animals and the land.
Koe Bewust
Within the Koe Bewust programme, the cow's welfare is central. Key points at a glance:
Good care for cows: clean drinking water, good feed, fresh air and clean bedding.
Health: animal health requirements are monitored with Koemonitor and the KalfOK score.
Housing: a climate-controlled cowshed, free-range cowshed or grazing (at least 120 days per year).
Cow comfort: soft loungers and brushes for scratching.
Good feed: the basis is home-grown grass, supplemented by other products that meet the VLOG standard (GMO-free feed).
Craftsmanship: dairy farmers attend workshops at the Dairy Academy to keep their knowledge up-to-date.