Lighting the Way for a New Generation of Turkey Farming

In the heart of the Limburg countryside, six long barns are quietly being transformed. Not into something flashy or radically new, but into a smart, solid foundation for a modern turkey farm. At the center of it all are Coen Beerens and Lars Raemakers, two farmers from different generations who decided to combine their strengths and start fresh.

For years, Coen rented out the barns behind his sow breeding farm, Fokbedrijf Beerens (which bred for Topigs Norsvin). The tenant raised turkeys there, and the business quietly ran in the background while Coen focused on his own breeding work. But when the tenant left two years ago, Coen was faced with a choice: leave the barns empty, or try something new.

He applied to convert the facilities into broiler housing, but the permits never came through. So instead, Coen turned to what he already knew: turkeys.
This time, he’d run it himself.

That’s when Lars Raemakers entered the picture.

A Fresh Partnership with a Future in Mind

At the time, Lars was still working at Schippers, a well-known name in agricultural supplies. But he was ready for something new. Something more hands-on and grounded. Since he and Coen had known each other for years, working together felt easy and natural from the start. They were on the same page right away. It didn’t take long before Lars decided to leave his job and join Coen, teaming up to breathe new life into the turkey business.

Their roles are clear. Coen brings years of experience in the agricultural sector and supports things from behind the scenes. Lars takes care of the day-to-day management, decision-making, and planning. For both of them, it’s a serious investment: time, trust, and energy.

Their first mission was to get three of the six barns fully operational by June, when the first group of turkeys is scheduled to arrive. During that initial round, the remaining three barns will be renovated and brought into business before the flock is ready to be spread over all barns. It’s a tight schedule, but they’re up for it.

No Overthinking, Just Smart Choices

With the clock ticking, they both knew they had to act fast. The feeding and drinking systems were bought second-hand from the previous tenant, since they were still in good condition. But lighting was a different story.

“I didn’t want to lose time comparing every lighting brand,” Lars explains. “I asked Bart Beerens what he’d recommend and went with it.”

“There’s no margin for delays or breakdowns, that’s why the lighting had to be right from the start.”

Bart, of Beerens Electro- en Installatietechniek, has been installing lighting for years and knows the agricultural world inside out. He recommended CORAX XL 5000K lighting from HATO, a robust, flicker-free system built to perform in demanding farm environments.

All six barns were equipped with CORAX XL, and the results were immediate. Even before the birds arrived, the bright, evenly distributed light made an impression.

Why Bright Light Matters, Especially for Turkeys

The lighting in the barns currently runs at 150 lux, which might seem high, but for turkeys, it’s spot-on during the early days.

“Turkeys need some help getting settled, they’re not the quickest to figure out where the feed and water are. Bright light early on makes a big difference. It sets the tone for the rest of the round.” - Lars Raemakers

Once the birds settle in, the lighting will be dimmed gradually to support calmer behaviour and energy balance. The system allows full dimming control, giving Lars the flexibility he needs as the flock progresses. The farm will raise only hens, not toms. This makes for more uniform growth and a more manageable flock, an important factor in a system designed for long-term rhythm and efficiency.

A Small Sector With Tight Margins

Turkey farming in the Netherlands isn’t what it used to be. Today, there are only about 12 to 13 active turkey farms left in the country and no domestic slaughterhouses. Every turkey raised in the Netherlands is transported to Germany for processing.

“It’s a small world, but it’s well-organized,” Lars explains. “The same company brings the birds in and they take them back when they’re ready. Same hatchery, same slaughterhouse every time.”

Turkeys arrive at the farm when they’re five weeks old and stay until they reach sixteen weeks. After that, the barns are cleaned and prepped for the next cycle. It’s an 11-week production cycle, with a one-week reset in between.
They’re starting this round with hens, but plan to switch to toms in the next cycle.

Because the supply chain is so tight, there’s no room for error. Everything from animal care to equipment has to run smoothly.

“There’s no margin for delays or breakdowns,” Lars says. “That’s why the lighting had to be right from the start.”

Building Something That Lasts

For Lars, this new venture isn’t about testing the waters. It’s about building something that works, now and for the next decade.

“This setup has to last. I don’t want to be redoing it in three years,” he says. “That’s why I trust people like Bart. And if he trusts HATO, that’s good enough for me.”

It’s a philosophy rooted in experience and in knowing that long-term reliability often starts with simple, solid decisions.

Installation by: Bart Beerens – Beerens Electro- en Installatietechniek

Reliable. Local. Trusted. Long-time partner of HATO Agricultural Lighting.