'Thinking along achieves more than holding back'

Farmers in the Maasheggen as nature managers

More and more farmers are developing and managing parts of the nature network in Brabant. Even in the UNESCO area De Maasheggen, agricultural entrepreneurs are taking more account of the effects of their business operations on the landscape, biodiversity in the environment and soil conditions. For many farmers, nature is even becoming an inseparable part of their agricultural business.
"It's great that we get to contribute to the development of this special area," says one of the agricultural entrepreneurs. "What is important is that you take into account what kind of area The Maasheggen is and continue to think along constructively as much as possible. That achieves more than holding back."

While Eric Lamers of De Schutkooi recently joined an initiative to start nature-inclusive farming on land owned by Staatsbosbeheer , other farmers in the Maasheggen area have actually taken advantage of the support that Province of Brabant offers in developing and managing nature themselves.

Johan Verstegen, a partner in his father-in-law Jan Martens' business since 2013, is one of them. Martens and Verstegen's dairy and arable farm recently did a complex land swap in De Maasheggen, including converting 11 acres of land to Entrepreneurial Nature Network. No pesticides or slurry are used on these lands. In addition, hedgerows are planted and restored on the edges of the grassland. "What makes these lands in The Maasheggen attractive is that the fertile clay soil is very suitable for growing crops. The yield of the soils is high. As a result, despite limited fertilization, excellent yields can be achieved for quite some time." Participation in Entrepreneurial Nature Network brings with it restrictions, but also certainly offers opportunities. "Above all, we also find it very nice that you can reconcile nature and agriculture in this way."

This does not happen automatically, Verstegen also knows. As an entrepreneur, you shouldn't be too impatient if you want to switch to a more nature-inclusive form of agriculture or participate in a land exchange. "It can become a long and syrupy process. That can be quite frustrating for entrepreneurs like us at times. In my opinion, it should also be possible to do it faster."

More nutritious hay

Toon Wientjes has a dairy farm in Oploo with his sons Harm and Teun. They have had land in De Maasheggen for twenty years. Initially 7.5 hectares, they now have just under 20 hectares. "We previously used the land for our young cattle. Until our cows were diagnosed with Neospora (a parasite transmitted by stray dogs - ed.). Since then we have been using our land at De Maasheggen for hay extraction. We have good experience with that. The hay we get from De Maasheggen is not fertilized, making it leaner and more nutritious for our dry cows."
However, the reality is that because of the focus on hay extraction, the yields of the land in De Maasheggen are low. Too low, in fact. In order to still be able to maintain the land profitably, Wientjes has previously entered into management agreements and, during a recent land exchange, the land was devalued. On that occasion a 'qualitative obligation' was also established on the land, stipulating that the land will forever have the function of 'agriculture with nature value'. The choice for Entrepreneurial Nature Network (ONNB) has even more consequences for Wientjes' business operations; for example, they have created green strips, are not allowed to mow until after September and are planting additional hedges.

The downside of no longer being allowed to fertilize land is the depletion of grassland. "We see that happening on our lands as well," says Wientjes. "There are no more piers and therefore fewer birds." In an effort to bring back soil life, Wientjes has received permission to apply solid manure and thick fraction, which comes from their farm in Oploo, in the form of humus on the Maasheggen soils. "We are curious to see what the effect is," he said.

Wientjes is pleased with the active efforts of the province of Brabant and Green Development Fund to facilitate the conversion of farmland to the Entrepreneurial Nature Network. "If they didn't encourage farmers to take that step, it could take a very long time. Although even now you still need a lot of patience. As attractive as it can be, switching takes a lot of time."