How many sheep do you have?

We have around 400 dairy sheep and 100 young lambs as future replacements for out milking flock. We currently milk two breeds: Friesian and Lacaune dairy sheep. Over time, we aim to transition primarily to the Lacaune breed, as they align best with our vision.

How many hours a day does a sheep farmer work?

Our day starts every morning at 6:30 AM with milking, which takes about 2 to 3 hours, depending on how many sheep are producing milk at the time. After milking, the sheep are given fresh feed and straw, and we take care of various tasks on the farm and the fields. In the evening, we start milking again around 6 PM. Our day usually wraps up between 8 and 9 PM.

What’s your favourite part of working on the farm?

Our favorite part of working on the farm is milking. It’s a moment of calm and it’s the time when we feel the most fulfillment in our work. In the milking parlor, you can truly see and sense how well you care for your animals. Healthy, well-cared-for sheep give so much back in return. And if a sheep isn’t doing well, it immediately becomes noticeable during milking, allowing us to act quickly.

It might sound strange, but in the milking parlor, I can recognize almost all of our sheep by their udders. It’s a true passion to care for them every day and to see how hard they work to give us as much as they can in return for the best care we provide them.

A special moment for us is that we shared our first kiss in the milking parlor, surrounded by our sheep.

What great moments stick with you?

For me, the start of my business remains my most memorable moment. Since I didn’t take over a family farm, the chance of becoming a sheep farmer seemed almost non-existent, but somehow, I made it happen. Another special moment for us is that we met each other in the milking parlor, surrounded by our sheep.

At De Zuivelarij, sustainability is a top priority. How do you approach sustainabiliy on the farm?

Our farm is completely land-based; we only purchase concentrated feed and a few by-products like brewer’s grain and beet pulp. All the manure produced is used to fertilize our fields and grow our roughage crops, so we don’t need to sell manure to other businesses. This makes our cycle nearly fully closed. Additionally, our stable is built according to organic standards: it provides ample space, light, and ventilation. The stable is climate-ventilated, and the roof is insulated. There’s also plenty of space around the stable to let our sheep graze outside when the weather and soil conditions allow.

Just like De Zuivelarij, we aim to bring a beautiful, high-quality, and honest product to the market, one with a real story behind it.

What do you think of the products from De Zuivelarij?

“(H)EERLIJK!

We are extremely impressed with the products from Zuivelarij. Both the taste and the story behind them are what make their products so powerful! David is a man with a great plan, and our vision aligns closely with his. Like De Zuivelarij, we want to bring a beautiful, high-quality, and honest product to the market, one with a strong story behind it, all while taking into account our animals, the environment, and everything that comes with it.

How do you experience the collaboration with De Zuivelarij?

Very well! For us, it’s very rewarding to see where our milk goes. It still feels special every time we spot the Labneh in the supermarket, knowing that the milk passed through our hands. We also deliver the milk ourselves to the cheese factory. It’s much more meaningful than just seeing your milk disappear into an anonymous batch.

Are you curious about more stories from our farmers? We have more interviews, get to know our farmers on this page.