Focus Group on Profitability of Permanent Grassland. June 26 27, 2014 Frankfurt, Germany

Transcription

1 Focus Group on Profitability of Permanent Grassland June 26 27, 2014 Frankfurt, Germany

2 Programme JUNE 26 12:00 Lunch 13:00 Welcome & Introduction 14:00 EIP AGRI and the FG on PPPG 14:30 Q&A 14:45 Starting paper and preparatory work 15:05 Coffee break 15:20 Breakout sessions 17:35 Plenary discussion 18:05 Conclusion of the day 18:20 End of the meeting 19:00 Dinner

3 Programme JUNE 27 08:30 Intro to the day 08:45 Breakout sessions (I) 09:30 Breakout sessions (II) 10:15 Coffee break 10:45 Plenary review of information gathered 11:15 Discussion and further steps 11:50 Closing 12:00 Lunch 13:30 Departure

4 EIP AGRI and the FG on PPG Introduction to the EIP-AGRI and Focus Group framework (Pilar Gumma & Gaetan Dubois) The EIP AGRI Service Point (Remco Schreuder) The focus group process and roles (Quico Ónega)

5 The European Innovation Partnership Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability Pilar Gumma Solernou Gaetan Dubois Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development

6 EU Context Europe 2020 Strategy: Crucial role of research and innovation in preparing the EU for the future challenges The Europe 2020 flagship initiative 'Innovation Union' specifies European Innovation Partnerships (EIP) as a new tool for fostering innovation through linking existing policies and instruments CAP reform package gives innovation a key role for sustainable agriculture and rural development

7 EIP AGRI in short Communication (COM (2012) 79) Aim: To foster a competitive and sustainable agriculture and forestry sector that 'achieves more from less' and works in harmony with the environment. Approach: Closing the innovation gap between research and practice by using the interactive innovation model and link actors via EIP network. Key entities: Operational Groups. Funding: Existing EU Policies 'Rural Development and interaction with 'Horizon EU wide EIP network: communication, partnering, dissemination, knowledge flows and collecting practice needs.

8 Feedback Approach: Closing The Innovation GAP Research Interaction Results Farming Practice

9 Approach : The Interactive Innovation Model Focuses on forming partnerships - using bottom-up approaches and linking farmers, advisors, researchers, businesses, and other actors in Operational Groups This knowledge 'exchange' will generate new insights and ideas and mould existing tacit knowledge into focused solutions that are quicker put into practice thanks to the co-ownership generated during projects Stimulate innovation from all sides and will help to target the research agenda (H2020)

10 Key Entities : Operational Groups Farmers NGOs Advisors Agribusiness Operational Group Researchers A team composed of those actors relevant for the project, working together in an innovation project and producing concrete results

11 Key entities: Operational Groups Action and result-oriented 'hands on' groups Built around concrete innovation projects Combining competencies (practical and scientific), needed for the implementation of a certain project Established on the initiative of innovation actors (farmers, advisors, scientists, agri-business, NGO's and other actors)

12 Getting started

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14 Key Funding Instruments of EIP - AGRI Rural Development Policy European Research Policy Horizon 2020

15 Key Funding Instruments of EIP - AGRI Rural Development Policy Setting up 'operational groups' (key actors of the EIP AGRI) Combining the setting up of operational groups with project funding (investment, knowledge transfer, advisory services) Establishing 'innovation support services', e.g. to facilitate the formation of operational groups

16 Key Funding Instruments of EIP - AGRI European Union Research Policy (Horizon 2020) Funding research projects, including experimental research (on farm experiments), to provide the knowledge base for innovation Interactive formats such as multi-actor projects and thematic networks

17 Horizon 2020 State of play EIP AGRI -> Societal challenge 2 "Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry." Two-stage call for multi-actor-projects in 2014 (deadline was ) -> First stage evaluation finished, best proposals were invited to submit full-proposals by 26 June 2014 Two stage call for multi-actor-projects in 2015 (deadline for proposals ) 20 June 2014: EIP-AGRI Stakeholder consultation on work programme for Horizon /2017

18 EIP Network Network Function of the EIP Collecting information (research and innovation projects etc.) Effective flow of information (website, helpdesk function) Exchange on overall innovation topics (seminars, workshops) Sharing knowledge on concrete practical work (FOCUS GROUPS) Systematic feedback to the scientific community about practice needs

19 NW NW NW Focus group Focus group Focus group Focus group Focus group Workshop Workshop Workshop Seminar Seminar Seminar

20 Part of the networking function of the EIP Up to 20 experts in a specific area, selected because of their personal experience (do not act as representatives from administrations, organisations etc.) Focus groups: EIP AGRI Focus Groups Organic farming (optimizing arable yields), protein crops, animal husbandry (reduction of anti-biotic use in the pig sector), genetic resources, organic matter content of soils, Integrated pest management (IPM) in brassica and soil borne diseases, precision farming, fertiliser efficiency, permanent grassland, ecological focus areas and short supply chains.

21 Tasks of the Focus Group Overall Tasks: 1. Take stock of the state of the art of practice 2. Take stock of the state of the art of research 3. Identify needs from practice for further research 4. Propose priorities for innovative action (e.g. new s) Final REPORT in specified amount of time (2 meetings!) Specific tasks for Members: - Attend and actively contribute during meeting(s) - Homework (prepare mini papers, and/or attend web conference)

22 Our Question to address How to manage permanent grassland in a way that combines profitability, carbon sequestration and biodiversity?

23 Now, let s focus on innovative answers!

24 EIP AGRI Service Point (Remco Schreuder)

25 EIP AGRI Service Point Established by the European Commission's Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development in April 2013 Aimed to act as a MEDIATOR in enhancing communication and cooperation between all innovation actors Constituted by a TEAM of people from different nationalities, covering a wide range of expertise

26 EIP AGRI Service Point

27 EIP AGRI Service Point Monthly Newsletters Fact Sheets Magazine Subscribe:

28 EIP AGRI Service Point Website: ec.europa.eu/agriculture/eip

29 The Focus Group process and roles (Quico Ónega)

30 The Focus Group process and roles Selection process Expertise, motivation, contribution, qualifications Balancing personal expertise counts Process Starting paper 2 face to face meetings (2 nd to be decided) Interactive process Homework (before and after the meetings) Final output: report Partnership approach EIP-AGRI facilitate Experts discuss and responsible for the content Take pictures

31 The Focus Group process and roles The objective of the Focus Group is to identify and exchange knowledge and practices that allow an increased efficiency and profitability in grassland management while keeping biodiversity values and carbon sequestration, as well as a better recognition of the interrelationships among those functions.

32 The Focus Group process and roles This Focus Group is expected to: Identify and describe the main farming systems using permanent grassland. Identify practices to improve efficiency and productivity in milk/meat production systems both for extensive and intensive farming systems Identify grassland management practices which enhance animal health, welfare and productivity as well as grassland composition and management practices that allow for the development of premium and functional products. Identify key traits that relate grassland management with biodiversity and carbon footprint; as well as examples of strategies to combine maintenance of biodiversity and low carbon footprint with farming profitability. Identify fail factors that limit the use of the identified techniques/systems by farmers and summarize how to address these factors.

33 Starting paper: framework for analysis and preparatory work (Koldo Osoro)

34 AGRO-CLIMATIC REGIONS JRC PESETA-Agriculture study

35 FOCUS GROUP MAIN AGRO-CLIMATIC ZONES Mediterranean Atlantic Continental

36 SCOPE OF THE FOCUS GROUP - REGIONS ATLANTIC Alain Peeters, BE Dirk Reheul, BE Martin Elsaesser, DE Arno Krause, DE Vibeke Lind, DK Juan Busqué, ES Rosa Mosquera, ES Sophie Hulin-Bertaud, FR Michael O'Donovan, IE Jeanet Brandsma, NL Agnes Dasselaar, NL Inger Pehrson, SE John Bailey, UK Alan Hopkins, UK CONTINENTAL Katrin Noorkõiv, EE Giovanni Peratoner, IT Lavinia Raducescu, RO Piotr Goliński, PL MEDITERRANEAN Claudio Porqueddu, IT David Gomes Crespo, PT Share of permanent grassland in UAA, EU-27, IS, NO, CH, ME and HR, 2010, NUTS2

37 ATLANTIC REGION Vegetation composition Silvopastoral systems Scrubs Scrubs+ herbaceous Natural herbaceous + heathlands Farming type Livestock Small Ruminants Reindeer Suckler cows, Beef heifers, dairy heifers and steers Horses Pigs Sheep Small ruminants, suckler cows, horses Small ruminants Suckler cows Suckler cows + goats Beef heifers Small ruminants Suckler cows Suckler cows + goats Beef and Dairy heifers Steers Horses Grazing/Cutting Mixed grazing in Dehesa/Montado plus cutting Grazing. Winter grazing when cattle/sheep fed indoors Grazing Grazing in shrubs and trees Grazing woodlands Grazing orchards/pasure (olive/fruit) Mixed grazing Sequential Grazing Mixed grazing Single grazing Mixed grazing Single grazing Mixed grazing Single grazing Mixed grazing Single grazing Single grazing Single/Mixed grazing Livestock Breeds Local /crossbreeds/ Low to high productive breeds Local / crossbreeds Local / crossbreeds Local /crossbreeds/ Low to high productive breeds Management issue Improved plant Varieties - Fertilization Animal faeces, lime, sewage sludge Animal health PFMN Animal faeces Animal faeces Animal faeces Products/ Produce Meat and landscape / Fiber / wool/ pork/recreati on Landscape / Fiber / wool / Honey Meat /cheese/ Honey / Fiber / wool /biogas Meat /cheese/ Honey / Fiber / wool /biogas

38 ATLANTIC REGION Vegetation composition Farming type Livestock Management issue Grazing/Cutting Livestock Breeds Improved plant Varieties Fertilization Animal health PFMN Products/ Produce Natural vegetation + improved pastures Small ruminants Suckler cows Suckler cows + goats Dry dairy cows Beef and Dairy heifers Steers Horses Mixed or single grazing / cutting Local /crossbreeds/ Low to high productive breeds Perennial Ryegrass, White clover, Meadow fescue, Red fescue, Timothy (north), Birdsfoot. Minimum tillage or direct seeding preferred. Seed mixtures according to local soil and climate condition. Seed inoculation: Legume seeds previously inoculated with specific Rhizobium strains. Soil analysis: if ph <5.3: 2-3 t/ha CO3Ca Mg. (1) First year Lime 2500 kg/ha (1) Every year BLRSPP: /ha /yr; - BLRFC 1yr: /ha -BLRFC 3yr: /ha /yr -Sorghum: / ha I I I + Meat /milk with high fat and protein content = dairy produces as cheese (DOP) / Fiber / wool /biogas Improved pastures Improved + crops Yearling beef cattle Dairy cows Dairy heifers Beef heifers Horses Small ruminants Yearling beef cattle Dairy cows Grazing / cutting (from 1 to 2-3 cuts) Grazing/cutting/harve sting Crossbreeds, mediumhigh productive High productive Perennial Ryegrass, White clover, Meadow fescue, Red fescue, Timothy (north), Birdsfoot Faba beans, maize, peas, sunflowers, Italian ryegrass in Ireland (2) Crops' needs - - I + Milk/beef/biogas - I I + High milk production / yearling beef /biogas

39 Management objectives and good and/or innovative practices, techniques and approaches Permanent Grassland category for which this is relevant: Silvopastoral and scrubs Overall goal: Increased efficiency and productivity Manage ment issue Concrete problem tackled or opportunity addressed Description of the practice/technique/approach Potential Source for complementary information (it could be a research or innovation project, a webpage, a publication, etc..) Improving sward/vegetation utilization rate Mixed grazing of suckler cows and small ruminants Nowakowski et al Better utilization of forage resources Optimizing the stocking rate on the grazed area Goliński et al., 2008 Grazing Preventing overgrowth of open landscape in mountains by forest Restoration of grazing on mountain pastures using small ruminants Improve feed quality Use different methods to promote species of feed quality and biodiversity

40 KEY FACTORS Forage /protein Grass first strategy vs concentrates: forage quality and quantity Optimum grazing and forage conservation techniques Stocking rate - grassland production potential Breed selection Selfsufficiency Nutrient Optimum use of organic fertilizers Legumes Agro-forestry when possible Energy Bio-gas Biomass

41 Maintaining forage quality and quantity at levels to minimise supplementary feed to maintain production Maintaining & improving the capacity to support ecosystem services. Building resilience to environmental change including adapting management to reduce GHG emissions Valorising the links between the specific attributes of permanent grassland and the quality of grassland products

42 MAIN FINDINGS FROM PREPARATORY WORK Type of legumes to improve quality for each agro-climatic area Grazing versus Zero grazing Type of flock and grazing strategy for the efficient management according to the vegetation components Type of breeds to be managed : local, alien?. Large, medium, small size. Strategies to increase grazing season length. The role of Less Favoured Areas Take advantage of symbiotic plant/ arbuscular/ mycorrhiza / bacteria associations for P / N Improved efficiency of manure-n utilization for fertilization

43 MAIN FINDINGS FROM PREPARATORY WORK Distinguish grass to grass reseeding. Productive & persistent combinations according to soil characteristics Strategies to maintain good levels of animal welfare (type of flock; opportunities for self-medication, management strategies, vaccination, etc.) Protected produce: Breeds, management, quality = DOP + Geographical area = GPI Establish biodiversity indicators in grazing systems Grasslands capacity compensate negative effect of GHG emissions by sequestering CO2 in the soil Use small ruminants, beef cattle and/or horses to stop invasive species Control of machinery, pesticides and predators

44 THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

45 Livestock regions (Alain Peeters)

46 Livestock regions (Pflimlin et al. 2005) 8 grassland regions Difficult environment areas 1. Wet mountain regions 2. Mediterranean regions in fertile plains and valleys and in dry mountain rangelands 3. Nordic regions Lowlands of temperate Europe 4. Grassland regions (permanent grassland dominant in the agricultural area); 5. Grassland and maize regions (permanent grassland + green maize); 6. Forage crops regions (temporary grasslands + green maize); 7. Arable land and livestock regions 8. Arable land and no livestock

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48 EU15 to be extended to EU28