Intensification of grassland and forage use: driving forces and constraints

Oenema, O.; Klein, Cecile A. M. de; Alfaro, Marta

doi:10.1071/cp14001

Cited by 64 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Grasslands are among the most widespread ecosystems on earth [1]. In the EU-28 in 2011, permanent grassland covered 61 million hectares i.e., about 35% of the total utilized agricultural area [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Productivity and Topsoil Quality of Young and Old Permanent Grassland: An On-Farm Comparison

et al. 2020

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Renewing agricultural grasslands for improved yields and forage quality generally involves eliminating standing vegetation with herbicides, ploughing and reseeding. However, grassland renewal may negatively affect soil quality and related ecosystem services. On clay soil in the north of the Netherlands, we measured grass productivity and soil chemical parameters of ‘young’ (5–15 years since last grassland renewal) and ‘old’ (>20 years since last grassland renewal) permanent grasslands, located as pairs at 10 different dairy farms. We found no significant difference with old permanent grassland in herbage dry matter yield and fertilizer nitrogen (N) response, whereas herbage N yield was lower in young permanent grassland. Moreover, the young grassland soil contained less soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic carbon (C) and soil organic N compared to the old grassland soil. Grass productivity was positively correlated with SOM and related parameters such as soil organic C, soil organic N and potentially mineralizable N. We conclude that on clay soils with 70% desirable grasses (i.e., Lolium perenne and Phleum pratense) or more, the presumed yield benefit of grassland renewal is offset by a loss of soil quality (SOM and N-total). The current practice of renewing grassland after 10 years without considering the botanical composition, is counter-productive and not sustainable.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Productivity and Topsoil Quality of Young and Old Permanent Grassland: An On-Farm Comparison

et al. 2020

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“…This has resulted in greater yields and stocking rates being used in direct grazing (Alfaro et al, 2008). Moreover, available data suggest that further intensification of grasslands is still possible (Oenema et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil nitrogen contribution to grasslands and its implication for nitrogen use efficiency

Ortega

Alfaro

Martínez-Lagos

2016

J. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr.

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In pasture systems of southern Chile, nitrogen (N) fertilization is mostly carried out without considering soil N supply, while seasonal N plant uptake is partially accounted for. These aspects are fundamental to correctly decide N fertilization. The aim of this work was to determine soil N contribution to grasslands yield in southern Chile and its implication for N use efficiency. Three treatments were distributed in a completely randomized block design with four replicates. A negative control treatment without N application and a positive control without N deficiency (450 kg N ha -1 ) were considered. An optimized treatment was also used, so that the total amount of mineral N applied as fertilizer was only that necessary to account for the arithmetic difference among plant uptake and N soil supply, resulting in the application of 171 kg N ha -1 only. Soil mineralization was high (241-934 kg N ha -1 ) and strongly affected by soil available N (VIP > 0.8). The 450 kg N ha -1 treatment produced 1,726 kg DM more than the 171 kg N ha -1 treatment. Nevertheless, this increase was associated to the application of an extra 279 kg N ha -1 , so that the extra yield was produced at a 6 kg DM kg -1 N efficiency. This value was one third of that showed by the optimized treatment, which was 1.8 times more efficient in the use of N than the 450 kg N ha -1 treatment, on average. Results suggest that it is possible to adjust pasture's N fertilization considering soil N contribution via mineralization, and that this improves resources efficiency while maintaining pasture productivity.

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“…A recent inter-country study that included Chile [85], showed that unless small farmers intensify and increase the efficiency of use of labor and physical resources, and particularly that of grasslands, they may drop out of the beef business.…”

Section: Hypothesized Reason For Change Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trends and Drivers of Change of Pastoral Beef Production Systems in a Mediterranean-Temperate Climate Zone of Chile

Toro-Mújica

Vera

Vargas‐Bello‐Pérez

et al. 2019

Animals

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Simple Summary: Livestock production systems show modifications over time due to both internal and external variables. The relationships between internal variables allow the definition of typological groups of production systems. Knowing the typological groups and their temporal evolution allows the identification of continuity strategies at the private and public levels. With this aim and using data from livestock surveys conducted in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015, four typological groups of beef production in a Mediterranean-temperate climate zone of Chile were identified. The typological groups differed in size, productive orientation, breeds used, and response to changes in external variables, among other aspects. These groups require different continuity strategies, which include, their sustainable intensification and the need to focus on pastoral production using low external inputs to enhance the production of "natural" beef for high-value niche markets. Abstract:The present study used surveys of the cattle sector over the period of 2009-2015 to develop a typology of cattle farms to evaluate their evolution over time and to identify variables that may be associated with systems' adaptive changes and continuance. Four groups of farms were defined using multivariate analyses as follows: Group I are small calf-cow operations using non-specialized beef breeds; Group II is similar to Group I but employs specialized beef breeds; Group III is dedicated to finishing cattle, and Group IV are larger farms (>1000 animals) with a complete cycle of breeding and fattening. In general, beef cattle production in the temperate-Mediterranean Southern Zone of Chile is declining in response to the opening up of the economy that allows for ample imports, the high opportunity cost of land, and recurrent droughts associated with climate change. Current policies and regulations have modified farms' businesses models depending on their ease of access to markets, farm size and financial capacity. The defined groups require different development paths and strategies. Sustainable intensification is an alternative strategy for farms in Group I and II, particularly if they were to contract the finishing stage of their cattle with Group III farms. In contrast, it is suggested that Group IV farms concentrate on pastoral production using low external inputs to enhance the production of "natural" beef for high-value niche markets, with positive externalities.

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Intensification of grassland and forage use: driving forces and constraints

Cited by 64 publications

References 38 publications

Productivity and Topsoil Quality of Young and Old Permanent Grassland: An On-Farm Comparison

Productivity and Topsoil Quality of Young and Old Permanent Grassland: An On-Farm Comparison

Soil nitrogen contribution to grasslands and its implication for nitrogen use efficiency

Trends and Drivers of Change of Pastoral Beef Production Systems in a Mediterranean-Temperate Climate Zone of Chile

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