Farm level approach to manage grass yield variation under climate change in Finland and north-western Russia

Kässi, Pellervo; Känkänen, Hannu; Niskanen, Olli; Lehtonen, Heikki; Höglind, Mats

doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2015.08.006

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Allocating more land for silage grass than needed (in years of average grass yields) is one way to hedge against low grass yields (e.g., due to drought risk). This practice of keeping the grassland area larger than needed in average years is a typical crop risk management strategy on dairy farms, in addition to keeping some buffer stocks of silage [36]. However, reaching higher average grass forage yields could also reduce risks [36]: 15% higher crop yields (under A1B climate in the mid-21st century) would reduce the risk of insufficient silage considerably if the land use remained unchanged.…”

Section: Policies Hampering Yield Improvementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This practice of keeping the grassland area larger than needed in average years is a typical crop risk management strategy on dairy farms, in addition to keeping some buffer stocks of silage [36]. However, reaching higher average grass forage yields could also reduce risks [36]: 15% higher crop yields (under A1B climate in the mid-21st century) would reduce the risk of insufficient silage considerably if the land use remained unchanged. With 15% higher grass yields, a farmer may reduce the land area allocated for silage grass significantly without increasing the risk of insufficient silage for cattle feed.…”

Section: Policies Hampering Yield Improvementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Policy incentives for extensive production were considered to lead to adverse yields and economic effects in the long run, since, as stated by farmers, large harvested grassland areas often located far from the farm center lead to high costs linked to short timeframes for harvesting and other aspects. Production costs of grass silage are, however, likely to be lowest when harvesting high grass yields close to the farm [36].…”

Section: Policies Hampering Yield Improvementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Higher Crop Yield Levels in the North Savo Region—Means and Challenges Indicated by Farmers and Their Close Stakeholders

et al. 2018

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The sustainable intensification of farming systems is expected to increase food supply and reduce the negative environmental effects of agriculture. It is also seen as an effective adaptation and mitigation strategy in response to climate change. Our aim is to determine farmers' and other stakeholders' views on how higher crop yields can be achieved from their currently low levels. This was investigated in two stakeholder workshops arranged in North Savo, Finland, in 2014 and 2016. The workshop participants, who were organized in discussion groups, considered some agricultural policies to discourage the improvement of crop yields. Policy schemes were seen to support extensification and reduce the motivation for yield improvements. However, the most important means for higher crop yields indicated by workshop participants were improved soil conditions with drainage and liming, in addition to improved crop rotations, better sowing techniques, careful selection of cultivars and forage grass mixtures. Suggested solutions for improving both crop yields and farm income also included optimized use of inputs, focusing production at the most productive fields and actively developed farming skills and knowledge sharing. These latter aspects were more pronounced in 2016, suggesting that farmers' skills are increasingly being perceived as important.

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Section: Policies Hampering Yield Improvementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Policies Hampering Yield Improvementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Policies Hampering Yield Improvementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Higher Crop Yield Levels in the North Savo Region—Means and Challenges Indicated by Farmers and Their Close Stakeholders

et al. 2018

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Development towards low carbon and sustainable agriculture in Finland is possible with moderate changes in land use and diets

Lehtonen

Rämö

2022

Sustain Sci

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Food security under climate change, several sustainability problems, and ambitious climate targets are considered challenges for agriculture and food sectors in many countries. Since agricultural production and its land use produce appr. 20% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of Finland, reducing agricultural GHG emissions is important for meeting national target of climate neutrality by 2035. Healthier food diets, maintenance of biodiversity, and reduced nutrient leaching from agriculture are also required for a more sustainable food economy. This paper aims to show how agriculture in Finland, traditionally dominated by livestock production, could decrease GHG emissions significantly and simultaneously respond to other sustainability concerns. Our results, based on economic modelling of the agricultural sector, suggest that moderate changes in food diets and land use can reduce GHG emissions of agriculture by more than 40% by 2050 if productivity growth and policy changes support the overall change in the agriculture and food sector. Adaptation to climate change, e.g. more higher crop yields efficient input use, is necessary for productivity growth. Decreased demand for meat and decreased cultivation of feed crops would decrease GHG emissions and free up land for carbon sequestration through afforestation. Whilst healthier food diets imply less livestock and increased imports of protein crops for food, a reasonable volume of livestock production is useful for maintaining food security, grasslands, crop rotations, soil carbon, and biodiversity. We conclude that transition to low carbon and more sustainable agriculture is possible without risking food security at northern latitudes.

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Evaluation of policy instruments for supporting greenhouse gas mitigation efforts in agricultural and urban land use

et al. 2020

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Farm level approach to manage grass yield variation under climate change in Finland and north-western Russia

Cited by 3 publications

References 20 publications

Higher Crop Yield Levels in the North Savo Region—Means and Challenges Indicated by Farmers and Their Close Stakeholders

Higher Crop Yield Levels in the North Savo Region—Means and Challenges Indicated by Farmers and Their Close Stakeholders

Development towards low carbon and sustainable agriculture in Finland is possible with moderate changes in land use and diets

Evaluation of policy instruments for supporting greenhouse gas mitigation efforts in agricultural and urban land use

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