More ley in arable cropping systems for climate efficient primary production

Last changed: 25 October 2023

Agriculture in plain-lands is often specialized in crop production, with no on-farm use of ley as animal fodder, and crop rotations that often includes only annual crops (e.g. oilseed rape, cereals and sugar beets). At the same time, integrating ley in arable cropping systems generates several benefits, e.g. improved soil carbon balance and soil fertility, reduced weed abundance and inputs of biologically fixed nitrogen. Selling the biomass for fodder or biogas substrate, in combination with extraction of protein in a biorifenery concept (where the protein can be used both for human food and animal feed), can facilitate innovative uses of ley biomass. To realize such ideas, it is important to investigate drivers and obstacles in farmers' perspectives. This project will analyze farmers' experiences and views on possibilities for innovative use of ley biomass, thereby stimulating actions for increased cultivation of ley in arable cropping systems and enhanced overall sustainability.

Facts:

The project was funded by Stiftelsen Lantbruksforskning (SLF) via Partnerskap Alnarp

Duration of the project: 2020-2022

Project Leader: Carl-Otto Swartz (Partnerskap Alnarp)

Other contributors: Anne-Charlott Olsson, Thomas Prade, Georg Carlsson, Institutionen för biosystem och technologi, SLU, och Annie Drottberger, Institutionen för arbetsvetenskap, ekonomi och miljöpsykologi