Abiotic Resource Efficiency Of Grassland Production Systems In North-West Europe,
2023
Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Germany
Abiotic Resource Efficiency Of Grassland Production Systems In North-West Europe, M. Wachendorf, F. Taube
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Nitrate leaching and energy efficiency are key criteria of a resource efficient grassland production system. A four-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of N input and defoliation system on both criteria. The objective of this experiment was to develop strategies which help to facilitate future grassland production with maximum environmental friendliness.
Cap Reform And Nitrate Restrictions: Implications For Irish Grass Based Dairy Production Systems,
2023
University College Dublin, Ireland
Cap Reform And Nitrate Restrictions: Implications For Irish Grass Based Dairy Production Systems, Anne Marie Butler, M. Wallace, P. Dillon
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The benefit of a systems approach to analysing production situations has long been recognised in agricultural research. The development and application of production-oriented dairy models offer tremendous capabilities for both encompassing the realities faced by producers while also considering the adaptation possibilities available to them in light of internal and external forces of change. This farm level dairy model represents one such approach. The objectives of the study were: (1) to develop a comprehensive farm-level model of Irish milk production systems and (2) to apply the model to identify optimal adaptation strategies of dairy farmers within the context of European …
Species-Rich Grassland As An Ecological Good In An Outcome-Based Payment Scheme,
2023
Georg-Agust-Universität Göttingen, Germany
Species-Rich Grassland As An Ecological Good In An Outcome-Based Payment Scheme, E. Bertke, R. Marggraf, Johannes Isselstein
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Agriculture plays an important role in protecting the biodiversity of the rural environment. Since the reform of the EU's common agricultural policy (CAP) in 1992, agri-environment schemes have been supported by the EU within the framework of the second pillar of CAP. In these programmes, farmers were rewarded for environmental services. The predominantly action-oriented programmes imply particular disadvantages; they tend to lack economic efficiency and to fail with regard to the conservation and improvement of biodiversity (Kleijn & Sutherland, 2003; Wilhelm, 1999). This situation was the starting point for the development of an outcome-based payment scheme. We focus on the …
Silvopastoral Systems: Analyses Of An Alternative To Open Swards,
2023
Queen's University Belfast, UK
Silvopastoral Systems: Analyses Of An Alternative To Open Swards, James H. Mcadam, M. R. Mosquera-Losada, V. Papanastasis, Andrea Pardini, M. L. Rigueiro-Rodríguez
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Silvopasture is a sustainable land use management practiced in most continents in the world including parts of southern Europe, but is not broadly used in northern and western Europe. The importance of this practice has been recognised and the last draft of the EU regulation by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/capreform/rurdevprop_en.pdf) includes specifically funding for establishment of agroforestry practices in Europe. This paper discusses the advantages of managing semi intensive grassland within a silvopastoral system from an ecological, productive and social point of view in the south, south-central and western countries of Europe.
Sustainable Grazing On Saline Land In Western Australia - Multidisciplinary Research Linking Producers And Scientists,
2023
CSIRO Livestock Industries, Australia
Sustainable Grazing On Saline Land In Western Australia - Multidisciplinary Research Linking Producers And Scientists, Hayley C. Norman, D. G. Masters, M. G. Wilmot, A. J. Rintoul, R. Silberstein, E. Lefroy, T. York
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Dryland salinity is one of the most critical environmental issues challenging Western Australian farmers. Currently 10% of the cropping zone (1.8 million ha) is salt-affected and this is predicted to increase dramatically in the next 50 years (NLWRA, 2001). Animals grazing saline pasture systems represent the most likely large-scale opportunity for economic return from saline land in the short to medium term. To date, few farmers have invested in large-scale revegetation of saline land as the economic return from grazing has not been perceived to cover costs. Furthermore other benefits of saltland pasture systems, such as biodiversity, water use and …
Energy Use And Energy Use Efficiency Of Specialised Dairy Farms In Flanders,
2023
Flemish Policy Research Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Belgium
Energy Use And Energy Use Efficiency Of Specialised Dairy Farms In Flanders, Marijke Meul, Frank Nevens, I. Verbruggen, D. Reheul
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Our highly mechanised agriculture largely depends on ever declining stocks of fossil energy and hence contributes to global warming through the emission of greenhouse gases. Therefore, energy use (efficiency) is an important aspect of eco-efficient and sustainable agricultural production systems. In this study, we estimated direct and indirect energy use on a representative set of specialised dairy farms in Flanders (334 farm datasets in 1989-1990 and 147 farm datasets in 2000-2001) and we calculated their energy use efficiency. We studied the observed evolution between 1989-1990 and 2000-2001.
Agroecosystem Performances Of Livestock Farms In A Mountain Area Of Sicily,
2023
Università degli Studi di Palermo, Italy
Agroecosystem Performances Of Livestock Farms In A Mountain Area Of Sicily, L. Stringi, G. Alfieri, G. Amato, A. S. Frenda, D. Giambalvo, P. Iudicello
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Agroecosystem performance indicators (APIs) represent instruments for studying agroecosystem performance via an input/output approach and a knowledge base, with the aim of improving the sustainability level of the farm's activity (Tellarini & Caporali, 2000). This research used APIs to evaluate the influence of stocking rate on the performance (in terms of energy) of farms in a mountainous area of northern Sicily, Italy.
Low Input Techniques For Firebreak Covering: Agronomic Aspects,
2023
Department of Agronomic Sciences and Agricultural Plant Genetics, Italy
Low Input Techniques For Firebreak Covering: Agronomic Aspects, S. Caredda, Antonello Franca, F. Sanna, G. Seddaiu
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
In Sardinia, wild fire prevention is traditionally "passive" , based on mechanical removal of vegetation and upper soil layers. This has a dramatic negative effect on plant diversity and soil erosion. This experiment concerns "active" prevention of wildfires, based on green covering and grazing of firebreaks. The objective was the establishment of a persistent green cover, to be grazed by animals to reduce fuel accumulation.
Cost Efficiency Of Agri-Environmental Schemes - Model Calculations In Central Europe For Grassland Extensification,
2023
University of Göttingen, Germany
Cost Efficiency Of Agri-Environmental Schemes - Model Calculations In Central Europe For Grassland Extensification, H. Bergmann
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The use of grassland in less favoured areas is important for the protection of agro-biodiversity. However, under existing market conditions the use of low yielding grasslands is not efficient economically. For this reason the European Union is paying specific support to make extensive grasslands economically more attractive. The objective of this study was to analyse whether the existing agri-environmental scheme was the cheapest way to protect extensive grasslands.
Phytosociological And Economical Properties Of Some Water-Meadows Of Nemunas, Lithuania,
2023
The Lithuania University of Agriculture, Lithuania
Phytosociological And Economical Properties Of Some Water-Meadows Of Nemunas, Lithuania, L. Baležentienė, E. Venskutonienė
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The water meadows of Nemunas in Lithuania have a high biological diversity as well as economic value. This paper describes the syntaxonomic type of meadow communities, plant species diversity of some water meadows of Nemunas, estimating the productivity of these grasslands in the summers of 2002 and 2003 and the optimal method of management.
Role Of Grasslands And Grassland Management For Biogeochemical Cycles And Biodiversity. Setting Up Long-Term Manipulation Experiments In France,
2023
INRA, France
Role Of Grasslands And Grassland Management For Biogeochemical Cycles And Biodiversity. Setting Up Long-Term Manipulation Experiments In France, G. Lemaire, Jean-François Soussana, J. C. Emile, A. Chabbi, F. Louault, P. Loiseau, Bertrand Dumont, X. Charrier
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Land use for grassland is recognised to have some beneficial effects for biodiversity and the environment: (i) regulation of the water cycle and protection of soils against erosion, (ii) accumulation of organic matter in soil and sequestration of atmospheric C, (iii) regulation of the N cycle and attenuation of the risk for N leaching, (iv) recycling of nutrients and improvement of soil quality, (v) improvement of biodiversity of vegetation, soil microbes and micro- and meso-fauna. All these effects depend upon the management of the grassland: cutting vs. grazing, stocking density, level of N inputs. Management decisions often result from short- …
Safe: A Framework For Assessing Sustainability Levels In Agricultural Systems,
2023
Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium
Safe: A Framework For Assessing Sustainability Levels In Agricultural Systems, X. Sauvenier, C. Bielders, V. Brouckaert, V. Garcia, M. Hermy, E. Mathijs, B. Muys, J. Valckx, N. Van Cauwenbergh, M. Vanclooster, E. Wauters, A. Peeters
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Evaluating the sustainability of agricultural systems is a major challenge for scientists, policy makers and farmers. Numerous sets of indicators have recently been designed, both at national and international levels. However, most of these initiatives focus only on environmental aspects of sustainability, indicators are often selected arbitrarily and usually do not fit in a consistent, comprehensive and universally applicable framework. This paper presents an original framework for integrating the information contained by indicators into a single quantitative measure of agricultural sustainability in order to facilitate comparison and diagnosis.
Ecosystem Management In Pasture Communities: Tools From Restoration Ecology,
2023
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Ecosystem Management In Pasture Communities: Tools From Restoration Ecology, S. C. Goslee, M. A. Sanderson
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Pasture systems have the potential to improve both economic and environmental sustainability in agricultural communities worldwide. To achieve maximum benefits, pasture plant communities must be tailored to the climate, the site type and the goals of the producer. Little is known about how to accomplish this, beyond very broad recommendations. We approached the problem by adapting a three-step conceptual framework from restoration ecology for use in managed pasture communities of the northeastern United States. The three steps, inventory, assessment and remediation, were designed for managers interested in restoring degraded native ecosystems, but can be applied equally well in managed ecosystems.
Effects Of Tree And Tillage Systems On The Productivity Of The Herbaceous Stratum In Silvopastoral Systems In The Southwest Of Córdoba, Argentina,
2023
Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Argentina
Effects Of Tree And Tillage Systems On The Productivity Of The Herbaceous Stratum In Silvopastoral Systems In The Southwest Of Córdoba, Argentina, O. Plevich, C. Saroff, C. Cholaky, T. Pereyra, O. Barotto, H. Pagliaricci
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
In the southwest of Córdoba, Argentina, there are lands with severe water erosion, due to the interaction of rolling pampas, high intensity precipitation, loam soil, and farming systems based on annual crops (Cantero et al., 1998). In an attempt to mitigate the erosive processes, a silvopastoral system was established in which winter forage was combined with trees. To improve the physical condition of the soil, two tillage systems were implemented. The objective of this paper was to determine the effect of trees and tillage systems on the production of forage.
Effect Of Tree Species And Density On Pasture Production In Galicia, Spain,
2023
Escuela Politécnica Superior Lugo, Spain
Effect Of Tree Species And Density On Pasture Production In Galicia, Spain, A. Rigueiro-Rodríguez, E. Fernández-Núñez, M. R. Mosquera-Losada
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Galicia produces 50% of the forest products of Spain. Livestock production earns 62% of the income of the agrarian sector in Galicia. Afforestation has been very important in the last decade to such an extent that the area of forest and woodlands now covers 62% of Galicia. It is necessary to increase the rate of return on investments in planted forests in order to avoid rural depopulation through improvement of rural development and welfare. This paper reports on the effect of combining pastures with trees.
Evolution And Ageing Of Brachiaria Brizantha Pasture Component In A Silvopastoral System,
2023
Embrapa, Brazil
Evolution And Ageing Of Brachiaria Brizantha Pasture Component In A Silvopastoral System, M. Rakocevic, F. C. De Oliveira, J. Ribaski, O. J. Lavoranti
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The main causes of the decline of Brachiaria pasture in the tropics are lack of maintenance, fertilisation and excessively high animal stocking rates (Boddey et al., 2004). Brachiaria brizantha has two predominant morphological forms: 1) relatively high stems with grouped tillers at a high position constructed from short leaves (bunch type); 2) low stems with long leaves, which in time evolve into the first type (Kanno et al., 1999). The concept of Brachiaria management involves animals entering to commence grazing when the pasture is 50-60cm high and being removed at 25-30cm, leaving a regrowth period of at least …
The Influence Of Tree Thinning And Tree Species On The Dry Matter Yield Of Grasses Of A Bush Encroached Semi-Arid Savanna In South Africa,
2023
University of the Free State, South Africa
The Influence Of Tree Thinning And Tree Species On The Dry Matter Yield Of Grasses Of A Bush Encroached Semi-Arid Savanna In South Africa, G. N. Smit
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The Acacia erubescens-Combetum apiculatum dominated savanna of South Africa is water-limited and an increase in woody plant abundance suppresses the grasses. This is the major reason why thinning or total clearing of all woody plants is often considered by landowners. The objectives of this study were to investigate the influence of intensity of tree thinning and tree species on grass yields in a semi-arid South African savanna.
Productivity Of A Leucaena Leucocephala-Cynodon Nlemfuensis Silvopastoral System With Sheep In Yucatan, Mexico,
2023
Instituto Tecnológico Agropecuario, Mexico
Productivity Of A Leucaena Leucocephala-Cynodon Nlemfuensis Silvopastoral System With Sheep In Yucatan, Mexico, J. G. Escobedo-Mex, L. Ramirez-Aviles
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Animal production in the tropics of Mexico is based on grazed grasslands of low productivity; this type of production system has reduced the areas of natural vegetation and damaged the ecology (erosion of flora, fauna and soil). Silvopastoral technologies may improve the welfare and economic conditions of the rural population and, consequently, preserve their natural resources. The current work was designed to assess the introduction of Leucaena leucocephala in a silvopastoral system with Cynodon nlemfuensis (star grass) grazed by sheep.
Agroforestry Systems In Cuba: Some Aspects Of Animal Production,
2023
Estación Experimental de Pastos y Forrajes, Cuba
Agroforestry Systems In Cuba: Some Aspects Of Animal Production, J. Iglesias, L. Simón, L. Lamela, I. Hernández, M. Milera, T. Sánchez
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The silvopastoral systems, that nowadays constitute scientific achievements of the Grasses and Forages Research Station "Indio Hatuey ", have been developed from the results of investigations that were carried out since the 1980s, to improve the productivity of natural pastures through the introduction of valuable herbaceous species and tree legumes. Those investigations also determined the essential elements of pasture management such as the optimal stocking rates for low input systems and suitable methods of grazing to obtain sustainability of grasslands.
Optimising Forage Production On Degraded Lands In The Dry Tropics Through Silvopastoral Systems,
2023
Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, India
Optimising Forage Production On Degraded Lands In The Dry Tropics Through Silvopastoral Systems, P. S. Pathak
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
In India, 187 M ha out of a total area of 328 M ha face the problem of land degradation, mostly due to water and wind erosion. The problems are aggravated by poor land cover and increasing pressure of human and livestock populations. There is over-exploitation of the scarce resources of forage and firewood. Several techniques, including watershed based silvopastoral land use have been proposed (Patil & Pathak, 1977). Tree, grass and legume based systems have been tried after land treatment to reduce runoff and soil loss while meeting the forage needs of the livestock and firewood for cooking in …
