Increasing the productivity of an upland pasture with the least environmental impacts

Does liming grasslands increase biomass productivity without causing detrimental impacts on net greenhouse gas emissions?

“…Wang et al (2021) and Zurovec et al (2021) found a decrease in both soil N 2 O and yield-scaled N 2 O emissions in limed grasslands compared to the un-limed grasslands and a negative linear relationship between soil pH and cumulative N 2 O emissions. Moreover, Williams et al (2021) reported that liming of fertilised grasslands was most effective in lowering the yield-scaled N 2 O emissions compared to ploughing and reseeding of the grassland. In Norway, Byers et al (2021) found that liming reduced N 2 O emissions from the plots with grass only but not from grass-clover or pure clover treatments.…”

The role of family life‐cycle events on persistent and transient inefficiencies in less favoured areas

“…Cattle and sheep farms are significant contributors to the agricultural economy globally (e.g., Hocquette et al, 2018). The bulk of these farms are situated in disadvantaged or less favoured areas (LFAs) and considered a particularly fragile economic activity (Acs et al, 2010; Barbier & Hochard, 2018; Williams et al, 2021). These farms also support historic upland ecosystems, as well as the social benefit of maintaining populations in remote areas (Acs et al, 2010; Reed et al, 2009; Ruben & Pender, 2004; van Rensburg & Mulugeta, 2016).…”