Ines Theunis took over running the family farm, which first started with a few Belgian white-blue cattle and now contributes to sustainable and circular production. She produces the basic rations for the cattle herself, applying a short-chain principle to the crops she grows. For example, the sugar beet goes to the sugar factory 10 km away whilst the remaining product (pressed pulp) is used in the cattle rations. She supplements the feed with sustainable concentrates according to the Euroclim principle and is one of the first farmers in Belgium to do so.
Most of the raw materials used are from Belgian and French origin and 100% European, this result in CO2 emissions that are 8 times lower than when using Brazilian or Argentina soya. The Euroclim principle of feed/ food ratio reduces the environmental footprint per litre of milk or kilogram of meat produced without any loss of performance. Ines combines this with her carefully selected breed which has a very high feed conversion rate. She uses a feed based on extruded linseed for fattening the cattle, which has a positive effect on reducing methane emissions from cattle by up to 30% during the fattening phase. Its use also improves feed efficiency and increases the omega 3 fatty acids in the meat. The Belgian white blue breed is an efficient breed of cattle with a low carbon footprint per kilogram of
meat due to high carcass yield and good feed efficiency.
For every kilogram of feed, the Belgian white blue cattle produce more meat compared to other breeds, thus making it a more environmentally friendly breed. Furthermore, the rumen of the cow, which is, on the one hand, a producer of methane, can play just as much of a positive role in the eco-system, and Ines is trying to use it as efficiently as possible. Thanks to its specific rumen, the cattle can convert plant products that are unusable to humans via rumen bacteria into high-quality proteins for humans. With the help of new innovative techniques, animal welfare is optimised. The farm uses digital detection systems to closely monitor calves and ventilation systems. Ines tries to keep up with the trends with her goal being to be one step ahead. She has also established her own meat label called Fines which enables her to show the consumer the story behind the meat.
In addition to the farm, Ines along with her mother and sister have a play farm named RAVOT that allows them to share their passion for agriculture with others. They organise guided tours on the farm showing the cattle and
explaining the workings of the farm. The motto being Discover, Experience & Enjoy.
