[Veterinary medicine and organic animal husbandry. I. Organic animal husbandry in The Netherlands]. / Diergeneeskunde en biologische veehouderij. I. Biologische veehouderij in Nederland.

Organic agriculture is increasingly of interest. The first organic farm in the Netherlands was established 70 years ago. Since then, the practice of this type of agriculture has grown. Although still relatively small scale, organic farming has a potential that is recognized in practice, in agricultural policies, and by the public.

[Veterinary medicine and organic animal husbandry. II. Organic animal husbandry: a challenge for veterinary medicine]. / Diergeneeskunde en biologische veehouderij. II Biologische veehouderij: een uitdaging voor de diergeneeskunde.

Biological agriculture serves as an example on an endeavour to achieve durability. Government policies offer possibilities for the further development of biological animal husbandry. Biological veterinary practice places emphasis on the promotion of animal health, rather than on the treatment of disease. Because the aim is to reduce medication, this goal is consistent with the approach of biological animal husbandry. These new developments are of interest to veterinary practitioners and require professional knowledge to be adapted to the biological way of thinking.

[Veterinary medicine and organic animal husbandry. III. Animal health in organic dairy farms]. / Diergeneeskunde en biologische veehouderij. III Diergezondheid op biologische melkvee-bedrijven.

Animal health is dealt with differently on biological farms then on conventional farms. On biological farms, stockmen see their animals not only as individual animals, but also as part of a herd in a balanced ecosystem. Disease prevention is therefore given much thought. The use of medicines is selective and subjected to strict regulations. This paper presents a summary of disease incidence in dairy cattle on biological farms and highlights specific problems and problem prevention in biological animal husbandry.