Livestock farming on the moor

Cattle farming in particular forms the basis of the area's landscape and rural nature. This characteristic peat meadow landscape is not only valued by people, dozens of species of (meadow) birds also like to breed, grow and forage among the cows, in the nutrient-rich soil and herb-rich grass. So if cattle farming in Rural North is no longer possible due to climate change and measures against subsidence, an essential part of the ecological system of Rural North will disappear.

Therefore, many farmers see the importance of combating subsidence. In cooperation with Vereniging Agrarisch Natuur- en Landschapsbeheer Water, Land & Dijken, six farmers have taken the initiative to find a solution to the shrinking peat. After all, it is not only important for nature that the peat does not oxidise, but also for the future prospects of the farmers themselves. If farmers want to continue their businesses in the future, sustainable measures will have to be taken. Besides, too dry soil and too low water levels are not profitable either. Drought means poorer grass quality and therefore less and lower quality milk production.

As a first step, monitoring wells were installed on all farmers' land. These monitoring wells measure groundwater levels. At first, things did not seem too bad. Under the peat was a large clay layer and the water level was reasonably high. A period of drought in the summer really revealed the problem: the water level had dropped to 1.30 metres below ground level! That took some swallowing. It became clear that it was time for action.

There are a number of measures farmers can take to combat subsidence, some do one thing, others another, some farmers combine the measures. An important starting point for deploying the measures is that farmers ultimately maintain or improve their income; the business must remain profitable. There are three measures that seem to be the most effective now and are likely to be deployed in the future: pressure drainage, ditch infiltration and land 'reduction'. The latter involves the farmer spreading clay on his land. The clay particles then bind to the peat particles, reducing subsidence. In theory, a simple, effective solution. True, but in practice it proves not easy to apply due to various regulations.

Curious about the use of pressure drainage and trench infiltration? Continue your route and then read the stories of farmer Thom Huitema and the Zant family.