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Grassland becomes the hub

Published on
January 27, 2020

Grass is no longer the dessert in the ration and pasture grazing is no longer an issue. Grassland will be central to sustainable dairy farming with a better cycle, less ammonia and methane emissions and more biodiversity, says Cindy Klootwijk of Wageningen Livestock Research.

Cindy Klootwijk is born in Limburg and didn't grew up at a farm, but in 2009 she chose to study Animal Sciences in Wageningen. When she graduated in animal production systems, she focused further on dairy farming. After obtaining her master's degree in 2014, a vacancy for a PhD researcher in the field of grassland management and grazing happened to happen at the department of Professor Imke de Boer in collaboration with the Amazing Grazing project of Wageningen Livestock Research.

Most beautiful branch

Klootwijk: “I thought it was a great opportunity. I think dairy farming is the most beautiful branch of livestock farming. The research into pasture grazing and grassland is close to practice, so it is not just science. In addition, grassland use touches on all sustainability themes, there is a lot of dynamism. ” And she adds with a laugh: “Another advantage: I would do two years of grazing research at the Dairy Campus and therefore also work outside. Much better than working on your research behind the PC in a room for four years. ”

Cindy Klootwijk (28) became a grassland and pasture researcher at Wageningen Livestock Research this summer. She received her PhD in June for her study "Keys to sustainable grazing" on sustainability and outdoor grazing. - Photo: Henk Riswick
Cindy Klootwijk (28) became a grassland and pasture researcher at Wageningen Livestock Research this summer. She received her PhD in June for her study "Keys to sustainable grazing" on sustainability and outdoor grazing. - Photo: Henk Riswick