Integration of animal husbandry and nature conservation on grassland farms.

Authors

  • C. Hermans
  • P. Vereijken

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18174/njas.v40i3.16515

Abstract

A farming model for peat grassland has been designed as an instrument in physical planning, integrating nature conservation and animal husbandry by combining the conditions for existence of both. It includes a subdivision of the farm in production grassland and nature grassland, such as marsh marigold hayfield and blue grassland. Each type of grassland has a suitable combination of groundwater level, P- and N-controlled animal and plant production, and a regime of mowing and grazing depending on its function for flora, fauna and animal husbandry. Sixteen variants, differing in type of activity (dairy, suckler, sheep and cross-bred husbandry) and type of grassland, all single or in combination, are quantified. The initial results of modelling show that the integrated model offers various perspectives for physical planning aimed at integration of agriculture, nature and outdoor recreation. It concerns areas where production grassland has to be converted completely into nature grassland as part of the National Ecological Network, as well as areas where production grassland is partly to be maintained to serve dairy husbandry. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

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Published

1992-09-01

Issue

Section

Papers