Grassland; surface area and yield

This table provides information on the area of grassland in agricultural holdings and the yield of mowed grass. Most of the mowed grass is used, in the form of silage grass and hay, as winter feeding for the cows, a small part is intended for summer animal feeding and other purposes. In addition, the stock of silage grass and hay at the end of the year (the beginning of the stable period for the cows) is also mentioned. Data are available from 1985 onwards for the Netherlands total and from 1993 also for five agricultural regions. Until 2017, the figures were established annually (predominantly) from the results of the grassland use survey. As of 2018, the figures of dairy farmers will be determined on the basis of information from the KringloopWijzer database. This database is managed by ZuivelNL. The figures of non-military farmers are determined from the results of the grassland use survey. As of 2018, natural grassland with an agricultural function will be included in the determination of the area and yield of grassland. As a result, the total area and yield of grassland in the Netherlands increased compared to 2017. As from 2021, the method for calculating grass yield has been adjusted. Until 2020, the highest permitted yield was 15.000 kg of dry matter per hectare, and in 2021 it will be 20.000 kg per hectare. Status of the figures: the figures for 2021 are provisional; all other figures are final. Changes as of 20 July 2022: The figures for 2020 are final. The preliminary figures for 2021 have been added. Amendments as of 15 July 2022: Since 2018, in addition to permanent and temporary grassland, natural grassland with an agricultural function has been included in the determination of the yield of the grassland. This part of the grassland was not yet included in the area figures for 2018, 2019 and 2020. This is corrected by this adjustment. When are new figures coming? No later than the third quarter, the preliminary figures for the previous year shall appear and the figures of one year earlier shall be given a definitive status.