“We feel connected, but not bound.”

At the dairy farm De Waaistap in Heeswijk-Dinther, Noortje and Nico Miedema work every day to run a business where biodiversity and animal welfare are central. 

The farm, which they took over from Noortje’s parents, has 250 dairy cows, 120 head of young stock and 80–90 Belgian crossbred heifers. Whereas many dairy farmers sell their calves after two weeks, the Miedemas keep their animals until slaughter and manage the entire rearing process themselves.
Their transition to nature-inclusive farming stems from a deep-rooted sense of responsibility: what can you do as a farmer to enhance biodiversity?

Biodiversity as the foundation for a future-proof farm For De Waaistap, biodiversity is not an abstract concept, but an essential part of a healthy ecosystem. “Everything is interconnected,” says Noortje. “We’ve seen the ecosystem become more vulnerable in recent years. It’s still recovering, but it’s becoming less resilient.”

She feels the urgency of this every day. “I don’t want to be in a position where my daughters ask me later: didn’t you see this coming? Everyone can do something. Every little bit helps. And fortunately, more and more people are realising how important biodiversity is – particularly for the way we run our farm.”

De Waaistap is committed to a wide range of measures that contribute to greater life above and below ground. For instance, the farm has herb-rich grassland, sown with flower mixtures that attract insects and improve soil structure. In addition, over 2 hectares of bee strips have been created — these are valuable strips that attract insects and visibly enhance biodiversity. Bird fields, an owl box (where two barn owls nest) and various hedges have also been planted, creating variation in habitats. The Miedemas also grow their own protein crops, such as field beans and chickpeas. The chickpeas are grown for human consumption, whilst the field beans serve as a concentrate substitute. This not only contributes to a rich soil life but, in the case of the field beans, simultaneously reduces dependence on external inputs. Using a so-called Beeotel, the farm monitors the development of biodiversity, making the results measurable.

Although the ambitions are high, De Waaistap also sees practical challenges. Measures such as bee borders or extensive grassland do not yield an immediate financial return. “It is time-consuming and schemes often just don’t quite cover the costs,” explains Noortje. “If we had invested the same time in expanding our livestock herd, we might have seen better financial results.” Nevertheless, their choice remains a conscious one: “We are building for the future. That is value too. Ultimately, I believe this way of working actually makes us stronger.”

De Waaistap works closely with Van Loon Group, within their ‘Rund op z’n Best’ (ROB) supply chain. This collaboration brings peace of mind, clarity and new insights. “You commit to a great partnership without being tied down. There is respect for each other’s business practices and valuable learning opportunities arise.” Van Loon Group actively supports biodiversity initiatives. For instance, staff helped plant hedgerows, which directly contributes to greater biodiversity. At the same time, Noortje sees opportunities: “We could certainly do more. Look at Friesland Campina — there we receive a bonus if we reduce our carbon footprint. That really provides an incentive.”

In terms of supply chain management, De Waaistap finds that the collaboration with Van Loon Group delivers visible results. The organisation contributes ideas on optimal slaughter maturity, leading to better quality and a higher quality premium. “Van Loon invests time and expertise in its livestock farmers. The pricing process is also transparent.” Transparency is a key part of this collaboration. Slaughter weights are shared immediately, and the joint selection for slaughter gives both parties insight into quality and results. In addition, the annual ‘Rund op z’n Best’ event offers valuable knowledge-sharing, as do visits to one of the Van Loon Group’s plants

Looking ahead, De Waaistap is strongly committed to sustainability. The ambition is clear: to become carbon neutral. They are doing this by reducing external inputs and, conversely, sequestering more carbon in the soil. “We strive for optimal biodiversity — both above and below ground.” Their advice to fellow farmers and supply chain partners is simple yet powerful: just get started. “Everyone has their own responsibility. You can go a long way with small steps.”