Weiders season opened: 220 cows enjoy fresh grass in Elsfleth!

Weiders season opened: 220 cows enjoy fresh grass in Elsfleth!

Birkenheide 2, 28132 Elsfleth, Deutschland - The pasture season for dairy cows started in the Wesermarsch district on April 12, 2025. This important date was celebrated with the cattle ride on the Hank family's farm in Elsfleth, where around 220 cows were left on the fresh pastures. The opening ceremony was led by Lower Saxony's Economic Minister Olaf Lies (SPD), who emphasized the importance of pasture economy for the region. Visitors to the event had the opportunity to exchange ideas with experts at various stations and take part in numerous hands -on activities for children.

The Hofer Hof family received the "Pro Weideland" label from the Grandszentiative Industry Center Industry Initiative at the start of the pasture. This label underlines the high criteria of pasture keeping, which include that the cows can graze for at least six hours on at least 120 days a year and each milk cow must be available at least 2,000 square meters of grassland. In Lower Saxony, around 1,500 companies are currently listed as certified witema milk companies, as the Grandszentrum Lower Saxony/Bremen reports.

event details and supporting program

The large pasture shoot took place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the highlight of the day the cows were driven at 12:30 p.m. This event, organized by the Grandszentrum Niedersachsen/Bremen e.V., the Ammerland and Pro Weideland dairy, was already the tenth pasture shoot, the first took place in 2016. The motto of the event was: "Discover the Weidewelt" Today is April 12th, 2025 ".

The Minister of Agriculture, Miriam Staudte, emphasized the importance of animal welfare and biodiversity in grazing. In addition, there was an entertaining supporting program with live music by Gabriel Zanetti, a pasture quiz and meals on site. The daughter of the Hanken family, Lena Hanken, will soon start the company, which signals the ongoing commitment to sustainable agriculture.

promotion of pasture

The Lower Saxony government has also decided to promote grazing. As part of the ELER program for rural areas, which came into force in Lower Saxony from 2023, voluntary support for companies is offered that enable milk cows from May 16 to September 15 at least six hours of pasture. In order to receive funding, the companies must submit an application in which the properties must be proven as a milk producer. The donation is EUR 75 per large cattle unit (GVE) to further support the animal -friendly posture procedures.

Overall, the event in Elsfleth shows the firm will of agriculture in Lower Saxony, animal welfare and sustainable practices in dairy farming. The pasture keeping plays a crucial role in agriculture and contributes to the ecological stability of the region. This was underlined by the great interest and the positive response of the visitors of the event.