Dairy farm Vroege is based in Dalen (NL): a family business with both a dairy herd and a youngstock location. In addition to dairy farming, the family also operates an agricultural contracting business and carries out arable farming activities.
In 2023, a new youngstock barn was built, incorporating various Spinder products:
“The old location had become too small and we wanted to expand. When our neighbour moved to Canada, we got the opportunity to take over his land.”
The new youngstock location offers space for several group pens and a cubicle barn. Newborn calves remain at the dairy location for the first two weeks. After that, they move in small groups to spacious group pens at the youngstock location. After a few weeks, they are transferred in larger groups to bigger pens.
At a later age, they are housed in the cubicle barn for youngstock. When they are old enough for insemination, they move to another cubicle barn at the youngstock location, where they are eventually inseminated. Once calving approaches, they return to the dairy location.
“We chose Spinder products because everything looked solid and well-built. We installed everything ourselves and noticed how easy it was. We are very satisfied with the products.”
The new youngstock barn has made it easier for the family and employees to monitor the young animals. Thanks to automatic feeding and milk systems, the intake of each animal is tracked precisely. In addition, the barn climate has improved: the straw-bedded pens are free from drafts, and the ventilation system is designed to reduce the spread of bacteria between different sections.
