As clouds gathered over Verstraten's dairy farm in a southeast corner of the Netherlands, so too, a storm was brewing over the growing manure crisis confronting Dutch dairy farmers.
"We are literally in the shit," the 59-year-old said, pointing to a stable where 145 of his cows waited to be milked.
Verstraten and other Dutch farmers - who together own four million head of livestock - has for years benefited from a special European Union dispensation allowing them to spread more manure on their fields than other countries in the 27-nation bloc.
The EU deal allowed the Netherlands - one of the world's largest dairy exporters - to dump between 230 and 250kg of nitrogen per hectare each year.
From February to September during the growing season, farmers spread excess manure on their fields as a natural fertiliser.
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'Musica' headed for SA
Cruising is just lekker. There is no other word or phrase that would really do it justice, hyperbole aside.
Museum of military history
Symbolic home of soldiers and veterans worldwide
Camping ain’t for sissies
It enriches, yes, but sometimes leaves you poorer
Boks are fully loaded
ERASMUS: NOT SCARED TO FLIP BACK TO HIS 7-1 BOMB SQUAD BENCH SPLIT
India draw first blood
Turning out against the global champions for the first time since they were edged in their memorable battle in the T20 World Cup final earlier this year, the Proteas stumbled again last night as they were completely demolished by India in the first of four T20 Internationals in Durban.
Make-or-break for Bok five
The Springboks get down to business tomorrow in their opening game of their end-of-year-tour against Scotland at Murrayfield in Edinburgh and they will be gunning to get off to the best possible start. They will be eager to cap a magnificent year with a clean sweep on their tour to the UK. Ross Roche looks at a quintet of players that will be eager to seize their chance to impress on tour.
Some game-changing boxes still left for coach Rassie to tick
The Springboks take on Scotland, England and Wales over the next three weekends in Edinburgh, London and Cardiff respectively.
Jones wary of Dupont 'threat'
Evolving France face Eddie Jones' struggling Japan in the a November international today with superstar Antoine Dupont (above) making his first 15-a-side appearance for the hosts in more than a year.
Drafting Suaalii was never a risk
WALLABIES: FACING ENGLAND IS A HUGE 'OPPORTUNITY'
'Rusty' Azzurri not bothering Quesada
Gonzalo Quesada expects his Italy team to be ring rusty when they take on his home nation Argentina in the Azzurri's opening November Test match today, hoping to end a positive year on a high.
