New developments in the Netherlands: dairies reward grazing because of public perception

摘要

Changing societal drivers and consumer demands require systems that provide desired human foods produced through sustainable production systems. Milk composition has changed with higher milk-solid contents and lower unsaturated fatty acid concentrations. The latter can be modified on-farm by feeding system and grazing management, but the trend in the Netherlands is for cows to be indoors more and to consume less fresh grass. Although research has provided data showing beneficial effects of fresh herbage in the dairy production chain, it is not facts but sentiments and marketing that have dictated the political agenda. Action groups have triggered the public debate, mainly from the viewpoint of animal welfare. This has provoked much discussion and raised concerns in public opinion and in politics. In 2011 the major Dutch dairy company changed its policy in favour of promoting grazing, mainly to preserve the natural image and for providing dairy farmers with a societal license to produce.