Koewieren

Koewieren is a traditional cattle-husbandry practice in several rural regions of the North Sea basin. It encompasses a holistic approach to pasture management and animal welfare, focusing on rotational grazing, planned calving, and landscape-integrated farming that seeks to balance forage supply with soil and biodiversity conservation.

Origin uncertain; the term is attested in regional dialects linking cows (koe) with care or watchfulness. It is sometimes translated as "cow-watching" or "cow-care," reflecting its emphasis on herd stewardship.

Historical roots lie in medieval and early modern pasture economies when seasonal grazing and crop rotation were used to sustain smallholdings. The practice declined with industrialization but saw a revival in recent decades as part of sustainable agriculture and rural heritage programs.

Key components include fenced rotational paddocks, utilization of hedges, and water access; management calendars align grazing with forage growth and lactation cycles; emphasis on low-stress handling and preventive health care.

Today koewieren is maintained by cooperative farms, agricultural heritage groups, and ecotourism initiatives; it contributes to biodiversity, soil health, and animal welfare. It remains a regional practice with variations; it is sometimes promoted as a model for sustainable pasture-based dairying.