Description
The farm of Boer Bart in Rotstergaast is based on the philosophy that the system must be sustainable for thousand years. An important pillar in this philosophy is the herb-rich grassland. The famer maintains his herb-rich grassland by an intensively grazing system. The grazing cows are his machinery.
The famer tried two methods to create herb-rich grassland. One of the methods was overseeding with a special mixture of herbs, including chicory. The first years after the overseeding it was a success: a variety of herbs. But after several years the variation in species disappeared and some grass-species prevailed. Overseeding with a herb-rich mixture wasn’t successful in the long term.
The other method was more natural. Herb-rich grassland was created by intensively grazing and avoiding land processing (only manuring). Every twelve hours, the farmer gives the cows a new piece of grassland (strip grazing). After an intensive grazing period, the grassland gets a resting period of four weeks. With this grazing system, a natural balance in grasses and herbs has been created. The farmer created and maintains his herb-rich grassland with this grazing system. In the system, the cows are grazing as much hours as possible in a year; they are grazing day and night. Only some months in the winter time they are in the stable.
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