Prestatie lagekostenbedrijf in 2004 = Low-cost farm: performance in 2004

Unfavourable trends in income and falling revenue were important reasons for setting up the low-cost farm in 1997. Until the end of 2003 it was a dairy farm, with a milk quota of 400,000 kg milk and 32 hectares of land (clay soil). Since 2003 there have been various changes. There is a new herd (in which half the animals are Montbéliardes). In addition, there have been some modifications to buildings. In 2004 the quota was increased by 30,000 kg. The main aim of achieving a cost price of € 34/100 kg milk was achieved in 2004. However, as a result of increasing the herd size, the aim of achieving a working week of 50 manhours was not achieved. The aim of this report is to give a good picture of the farm management, the operational results and the results of research in 2004. The report pays much attention to the differences between the results of the Holstein and Montbéliarde groups