2. TECTÓNICA
3.1. DESCRIPCIÓN FISIOGRÁFICA
3.3.2. Estudio del modelado
Output 56.29 47.43 Variable costs 8.87 11.1 Gross margin 47.42 36.33 Fixed costs 62.76 49.93 Rate of return 79 78 Labor income 14.63 10.02
Milk production / man 193800 244098
104
Proceedings of the Second EISfOM Seminar, Brussels, November 2005 One side effect of the individual comparison of farm results for Bioveem participants was that it was also possible to make a more general comparison of the participating group with conventional dairy farms. It must be noted that this can not be considered to be a general comparison of Dutch organic dairy farms with conventional dairy farms because the participating farmers are not a random sample of the total population. Nevertheless, the comparison of the total Bioveem group with their individual mirror groups was used as input into a discussion with the participating farmers. Table 1 provides a summary of the results.Table 1: Company structure and financial results of Bioveem participants compared with mirror groups (2001)
Unit Bioveem Mirror Difference
Total milk production Kg 421532 421120 412
Milk production per ha fodder crops
Kg 9098 10435 -1337
Agricultural land Ha 50.6 43.5 7.2
Output Euro / 100 kg milk 53.01 46.37 6.64
Variable costs Euro / 100 kg milk 11.79 12.31 -0.52
Gross margin Euro / 100 kg milk 41.22 34.06 7.16
Fixed costs Euro / 100 kg milk 50.78 47.17 3.61
Labour income Euro / 100 kg milk 11.03 8.03 3.00
Cash flow Euro / 100 kg milk 10.71 8.28 2.43
The amount of milk produced on the Bioveem farms is almost the same as the amount produced on the farms in the mirror groups. We did not succeed in getting a similarly good result for total farm area and milk production per hectare.
If we look at the financial results, then the Bioveem farms results are good. The gross margin is just over seven EUR per 100 kg milk higher, mainly as a result of a higher milk price, but if you go more into detail, also by higher cattle sales and other revenues. The variable costs are only a little higher. The fixed costs are 3.6 euro per 100 kg higher, so the end result is better financially for the Bioveem group.
However some important comments concerning this comparison were made in the discussion groups. Because of the criteria selected, an optimal organic dairy farm is being compared with a group of sub- optimal conventional dairy farms. The milk production per hectare on conventional farms is usually substantially higher than on the farms that were selected for the mirror groups. It would be better to make a second comparison where production per hectare is not included in the list of selection criteria. The discussion focussed partly on milk production per hectare, because this can be seen as a difference in management and not as a different in structure. The problem is, however, that if you use farm structure criteria, such as total farm milk production or milk quota in combination with total farm area, then you get almost the same result for milk production per hectare because in the Netherlands dairy farms are highly specialised (both organic and conventional).
The comparison should be made not only for financial results but also for other aspects that are related to sustainability.
Proceedings of the Second EISfOM Seminar, Brussels, November 2005
105
These conclusions have led to two types of follow-up:
1. a second comparison will be made of the Bioveem participants with conventional mirror groups, using the same method but based on different criteria;
2. the benchmark tool will be developed towards a triple P benchmark tool, in which not only results on farm economics will be presented but also several other human and environmental indicators (people and planet).
In relation to the EISfOM project, some final remarks can be made about the use of collected (FADN) data and comparisons between organic and conventional farms.
Face-IT is a useful and flexible tool to exploit FADN data for farmers and for research.
For farmers it is important that FADN data are the same as (or easily linked to) the accountancy data with which they are familiar. LEI has changed to a new accountancy standard (IAS 41) and virtually all farmers are used to different definitions.
When comparing organic with conventional dairy farms the choice of criteria is very important. By using different sets of criteria different angles for looking at the comparison are created. The exact choice of criteria depends on the purpose of the comparison.
References
Baars, T. Reconciling scientific approaches for organic farming research. Part 1: Reflection on research methods in organic grassland and animal production at the Louis Bolk Institute, The Netherlands. (2002), Doctoral Dissertation Wageningen University and Research Centre. LBI Driebergen, Netherlands.
Bergevoet, R.H.M., G.W.J. Giesen, H.W. Saatkamp, C.M.J. van Woerkum, R.B.M. Huirne, Evaluation of a training programme designed to improve the entrepreneurial competencies of Dutch Dairy farmers. In: Entrepreneurship of Dutch dairy farmers, PhD thesis Wageningen University, 2002
Doornewaard, G.J., A.C.G. Beldman, G.J.F. van den Elzen, C.H.G. Daatselaar. Farm Economics on Bioveem farms. Bioveem report no. 5, Animal Science Group, Lelystad (in Dutch), 2004
Elzen, G.J.F. van den, T. Baars, A.C.G. Beldman, J.P. Wagenaar, C. Water. The entrepreneurs in Bioveem: motives, goals and strategy at the start of the project. Bioveem report nr 3, Animal Science Group, Lelystad (In Dutch), 2003
Smit, C.T., A.C.G. Beldman, D.W. de Hoop, A.M. Prins. The Entrepreneur as pivot in the transition to sustainable livestock production systems. Landbouw-Economisch Instituut, The Hague, December 2002.