Excursions on Wednesday 6 August 2025
Farm visit ‘Hoeve Boveneind’ and outdoor farm golf
In Herwijnen we will visit ‘Hoeve Boveneind’, a modern dairy farm with a milking robot, pasturing for the cows and sensor technology. At the farm, behaviour as well as location of the cows is recorded 24/7 with neck and leg tags. The farm cooperates with HAS Green Academy, University of Applied Sciences in Den Bosch, where it is involved in several student and research projects using sensors and AI to monitor behaviour, health and welfare of the cows.
After visiting the farm, we will go to the nearby village of Enspijk where we will be welcomed with coffee and go out for a traditional game of farm golf. In farm golf (‘Boerengolf’ in Dutch), you use a wooden clog on a stick to push a ball along a route, while walking in a rural area.
Farm visit ‘Veld en Beek’
Doorwerth is home to a unique organic dairy farm. A herd of a double purpose breed cows is kept here, aiming for a high level of animal welfare. The cows keep their horns, calves stay with their mother (or foster mother) for half a year and the oxen are kept in nature reserves until slaughter. The farm produces cheese and yoghurt, grows vegetables and sells meat. The farm products are sold via self-service locations within 8 km of the farm. By offering nesting opportunities for barn owls and barn swallows, hedges, wooded banks, flower borders and cooperation with nature organisations, the farm contributes to biodiversity. After the farm we will visit Renkums Beekdal for a 4.5km walk through forests and a stream valley.
Download the route for the Renkums Beekdal walk here.
Guided walk in nature reserve Oostvaardersplassen
The Oostvaardersplassen (near Almere) is a unique nature park of international natural value in the center of the Netherlands. It is a large marsh area with reed plains, rough grasslands, and large lakes, surrounded by forests, a true bird paradise. This walk is led by the forester who knows the area very well and can also tell you about the management (challenges) of such a large nature park that includes large grazers. During the walk there are viewpoints where (water) birds can be spotted. The key species in this reserve are the sea eagle, Heck cattle, Konik horses and red deer. Bring your binoculars!
AAP: Exotic mammal rescue centre
AAP is an animal rescue organisation that takes in exotic mammals (such as primates, tigers, lions, raccoons and servals) that have been kept as pets, traded illegally or used in circuses and other forms of entertainment. The organisation cares for these animals to make them mentally and physically better and outplaces them in stable social groups with trusted organisations. AAP also tackles this problem preventatively e.g. through influencing policy, educating the public, etc., because preventing animal suffering ultimately means fewer animals that need rescuing. The centre is located in Almere. The visit will consist of a guided tour of the premises with enclosures of groups of primates and small exotic mammals. The visit also includes the opportunity to discuss the specific (often mental) welfare challenges of these animals with the behaviour and welfare experts of the organisation.
Fish welfare and insect breeding
This excursion will take you to a world of science and practice surrounding special farm animals. We will start the afternoon at Wageningen Livestock Research. We will be updated on recent research into welfare of fish in aquaculture and fisheries. This includes fish behaviour, damage to the fish, welfare indicators, etc.. This will be combined with a tour of the Aquatic Research Facility, where we will see various experiments and aquatic species.
In the second part of the afternoon we will visit a farm where black soldier fly larvae are reared. This small-scale but professional nursery supplies live larvae to a large broiler farm, where they are fed as a form of environmental enrichment. At the insect nursery we can see how the adult insects are being kept, how the eggs are hatched and we will see the various larval stages before they go to the poultry farm.
DierenPark Amersfoort (zoo) through the lens of animal behavior science
DierenPark Amersfoort is a unique zoo nestled in a wooded area just outside Utrecht. This excursion offers the opportunity to explore the park through the lens of animal behavior science. A specialist in animal behavior will guide you on an exclusive tour, providing insights into the daily lives, social structures, and welfare of the animals. Learn about the innovative enrichment techniques used to stimulate natural behaviors and the latest research being conducted in the park. After the guided tour, you will have time to explore the zoo at your own pace. DierenPark Amersfoort is known for its close-up animal encounters, playful pathways, and interactive exhibits.
Visit the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Utrecht University’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is the only institution in the Netherlands where veterinarians are trained. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is considered one of the leading veterinary medicine faculties in Europe and is ranked in the top ten world-wide. In order to facilitate our education and research, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has three university clinics: the Companion Animals Clinic, the Equine Clinic and the Farm Animals Clinic. These clinics provide patient care for a variety of animal species (on referral from a veterinarian), while educating veterinary students. If you join this tour, you can also visit the faculty’s own organic farm ‘De Tolakker’. The faculty of Veterinary Medicine is located 300 meters from the congress venue.
Explore Utrecht
The city of Utrecht is full of surprises and hidden gems. A guided city walk is perfect for discovering the city’s secrets. The professional guides know the city inside out and can tell you everything there is to know about Utrecht’s history, architecture and must-see sights. Highlight of this excursion is the climbing of the Dom Tower, which is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands and considered the symbol of Utrecht. Did you know that buildings in Utrecht are not allowed to be higher than the Dom Tower? And do you know why the church and tower are separated by the Dom square? Find out and learn more fun facts during this ‘Explore Utrecht’ excursion!
Excursions on Friday 8 August 2025
Lely excursion
We will visit Family Farm ‘Landleven’ in Waarder, a modern dairy farm run by the families Vollering and Janmaat. Bert Vollering is the 14th generation of dairy farmer, and his daughters, Judith and Anne, are the 15th. The farm focuses on sustainability, animal welfare, and innovation. Automated milking systems and sensors help monitor and improve cow health and welfare. Sustainability is key, with efforts to support nature, biodiversity, and reduce CO2 emissions. In summer, the cows graze outdoors. The farm is located on peat soil, a unique type of land that plays an important role in nature and climate. During the visit, we will explore the farm’s modern approach to dairy farming and discover the special qualities of peat.