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JANUARY 16, 2014
SERVING MANITOBA FARMERS SINCE 1925 | VOL. 72, NO. 3
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MANITOBACOOPERATOR.CA
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Dutch farmer finds animal health and welfare go hand in hand Gerbert Oosterlaken wants animal welfare advocates on his side instead of the opposition Some have described the Netherlands as a living laboratory for sustainable intensive livestock production. With 16.7 million people living with 11 million hogs, 80 million chickens and 400,000 cows in an area that is one-fifteenth the size of Manitoba, it is impossible for the animal industry to operate below the public’s radar. Growing public distaste over environmental and animal welfare issues came to a head a decade ago when a series of disease outbreaks caused catastrophic losses, leaving disturb-
ing headlines and images in their wake. Government and industry was pushed into action. Today, production protocols — both regulatory and self-imposed — in the Netherlands exceed European and global standards on several fronts. The costs have been high. But so are the rewards. Co-operator editor Laura Rance recently participated in a study tour sponsored by the Dutch consulate in Washington, D.C. of how the pork and poultry sectors have adapted. Here is one hog farmer’s story.
By Laura Rance CO-OPERATOR EDITOR / BEERS, NETHERLANDS
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hen Gerbert Oosterlaken began designing a new 600sow barn on his livestock and crop farm in this densely populated district, he wasn’t interested in state-of-the-art production systems. He looked 20 years into the future — one he believes will be driven as much by how well he can get along with his nonfarming neighbours as it is by economics. “We thought in advance what can come to us, and where do we have to go?” he told a group of Canadian visitors. So when Oosterlaken’s barn opened for business last year, it also opened to the public. Visitors can drop in any time during daylight hours, serve See DUTCH FARM on page 6 »
Oosterlaken prides his barn in being a stress-free environment.
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