Cows in a meadow are a familiar sight. But nature reserves must also be managed, and grazing can prevent everything from becoming overgrown. The pregnant cattle of farmer Peter Helder from Middenbeemster are therefore 'loaned' to the Forestry Commission. By doing so, he is participating in the project 'Dairy reinforces nature and landscape'.

"Until spring, geese can keep the greenery short, but from spring onwards, everything shoots out of the ground. Then we need cows to graze all day," Peter explains. Without the cows, the open landscape changes into a forest in no time. Meadow and water birds then move away, for fear that the trees will harbour all sorts of birds of prey. Peter also does more in the field of nature management. "In connection with sustainable nest management, I only mow from mid-June onwards. This gives the birds sufficient time to breed, while the young birds can grow up peacefully. The farmer has also sown herb-rich grassland. More than twenty species of grasses, herbs and clovers attract all kinds of insects, which provide a varied menu for the chicks. And later in the summer, for the cows as well!