In the middle
A farmer has “weaned”: Jürgen Rademacher’s cows no longer have calves and he has terminated the contract with the dairy. It’s not economical – but he has found supporters.
The three calves stick their mouths through the gate and reach for the hay that Jürgen Rademacher has piled up for them. The 63-year-old farmer would also like to let the three youngest animals run with the herd on the pasture. But the fear of the wolf is great – the calves would be too easy prey. So they stand in an open stable right next to the house.
Right next door, the dairy farmer used to milk up to 90 cows. But that’s finally over now. Rademacher had been reducing milk production for a long time. “I’ve weaned,” he explains as he fills up the water bucket and holds out bull calf “Rocky.” There will be no more calves on his farm. And therefore no milk.
A life of freedom instead of milk production
The organic farmer named his business “Lebenshof Lunetal”. There are around 20 such living centers or sanctuaries in Lower Saxony. The idea behind it: The animals should no longer be used commercially, but should simply be allowed to live. Rademacher also wants this for his cows. The Holsteins should enjoy life in freedom.
His animals are already familiar with grazing. They also stood outside when they were still being milked. But Rademacher had to drive her to the stable and the milking parlor twice a day. The milk went to an organic dairy and he converted his farm to organic farming in 1995. A lot of work that the 63-year-old accomplished alone. But that never bothered him.
“I had a problem with us taking the calves away from the cows in order to sell the milk,” says the farmer. And at some point he could no longer advocate killing male offspring. “I’ve known since my childhood that the bulls go to the slaughterhouse because they’re useless for the dairy farm.” Old animals that do not produce enough milk are also uneconomical for a farm and must be sorted out.
Next year, farmer Jürgen Rademacher not only wants to harvest hay, but also buckwheat and lupins.
Sponsors pay for happy cows
Rademacher started thinking about it a few years ago because his niece was vegan and explained her reasons to him. Little by little he also gave up animal products. Rademacher has now replaced the shot of cow’s milk in his coffee with an oat drink. He’s doing better, he says. He feels fitter and less tired.
Now a dairy farmer who doesn’t milk cows cannot survive in the long term. Rademacher calculated that one of his cows costs 1,800 euros a year – including feed, energy and wages. Rademacher no longer earns this money by selling milk, but rather through sponsorships.
Each of his 30 remaining dairy cows has found sponsors. Worldwide, as the farmer emphasizes. Even donors from the USA support the vegan farmer, the Internet makes it possible. Rademacher has Instagram more than 11,000 followers. Particularly popular online: photos of Sally, who only has one eye. She shares the pasture with the oldest cow on the farm, 19-year-old Kleo. The sponsors are allowed to visit the cows, many come regularly and exchange ideas with the vegan farmer or help with the work.
Cereals for milk substitutes
In the coming year, Rademacher wants to grow buckwheat, oilseeds and lupins – plants that can be used, among other things, to make milk substitute products. Rademacher himself is curious to see whether this will work, whether production will be economical and whether he will find buyers. Because even if he is vegan himself – the vast majority of people are not vegan or vegetarian.
The farmer from Beverstedt makes it clear: He doesn’t want to tell anyone how they should live. What he is doing is the right path for him. Nevertheless, there will of course continue to be milk production in Germany. Although he would like to see more people switch to a plant-based diet.