Efficient cow herding with border collie techniques

Rudi de Wilde operates a family-run dairy farm in the Netherlands with 130 dairy cows and calves, combining rotational grazing with automatic milking (GEA). The farm spans 20 hectares of pasture, plus maize and natural grassland. Cows graze four to five hours daily, with morning turnout and return to the barn around noon. A specially trained Border Collie cross guides the herd back to the barn using natural herding instincts, reducing labor and improving efficiency. The dog handles the herding independently after a short initial lead, saving time and effort. This system relies on proper training and consistent handling. The farm, De Paswever, is supported by the European Union. The interview is available on YouTube. Photographic credit: AERES. Funding by the European Union. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Commission or the European Union.