'Preston Palace' at Bloemerstraat 8
It could be a Trivial question. How many professions must a modern farmer master? To give an impression: farmer Johan is animal caretaker, veterinarian, process manager, electrician, feed, water and climate specialist, construction worker, installer, mechanical engineer and truck driver. His wife Victoire buyer and seller, accountant, risk manager, organizer and innovator. And then we have not even included parenthood. Caring for their sons Noud and Chris who always spontaneously help with the farm.
Top team
Johan and Victoire are two extremes. He is the peace itself, prefer to let his hands speak. She is the creative mind with her heart on his tongue. “That contrast is our strength. We complement each other perfectly. Together we are a super team that goes 300 percent for it.”
Since 2000, the couple have been at the helm of the family business on Bloemerstraat since the third generation of Salimans. A stable, healthy company for which grandfather Christiaan and father Wiel laid the foundation. Johan and Victoire feel closely connected to the neighborhood. "The environment in which we operate is incredibly important to us," says Johan. “We live and work among the citizens. Because we do not want to be a burden to anyone, we involve the neighborhood in everything we do, and we try to do business as responsibly as possible. "Victoire adds:" We have an interest in that too. When we sit outside on our terrace, we don't want to fly around us either. We also do not like smell and noise. The company must be clean and nicely integrated into the landscape.”
Smart and realistic business
According to this philosophy, their business with free-range laying hens, broiler pigs and arable farming does not have to grow. In fact, Johan and Victoire do not think in terms of upscaling. In order to continue to earn a living in the future, they would rather look for sustainable solutions to save costs and increase the return on their business.
The new feed preparation machine is a striking example of this. Johan explains. “A chicken weighs an average of 1.7 kilos and, with the exception of a number of ATV days, lays an egg of around 63 grams every day. Believe me: that is top sport. And so, the chickens must have a stress-free life. To ensure that this process runs smoothly, everything must be right. The climate in the stable. The food. Compare it with a top hotel. Preston Palace, too, cannot leave anything to chance for its guests. That is why our free-range chickens get every day “fresh, homemade mik”, fresh food prepared with a special machine. All raw materials are first thoroughly cleaned and sieved and then chopped into small, uniform pieces. That way our chickens get all the ingredients they need to stay healthy and produce the best eggs.”
Taking responsibility
The list of innovations is impressive. Victoire has turned it into a sport to look for smart solutions for sustainable, social issues. In 2009, the couple became the first farm in Nederweert to switch to solar panels. Johan and Victoire also bought an installation in Australia that processes pig manure on a small scale. After processing, high-quality grains are made elsewhere; organic “fertilizer” that is in great demand with winemakers in France. The newest innovation with which the Salimans family wants to push the limits is the so-called Fresh Light Agri Innovative lamps, covered with special fluff that reduces fine dust and odor. “The discussion about particulate matter is also very topical in Nederweert. We feel responsible for our environment. With this innovation we think we have found a solution to this problem, "says Victoire.
Fresh eggs
Sustainable entrepreneurs who want the best for their animals and the neighborhood. That's how we can characterize Johan and Victoire Salimans. People from all over Nederweert come to 'Ut eierkapelke' to buy fresh free-range eggs. Johan: “It is wonderful to see how many villagers and even children come to collect eggs on their bikes. It feels good to give them a healthy and honest product from Mother Nature.”
Source: nederweert24.nl
