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Dairy farms with intensive grazing systems combine grazing with supplemental feeding, which can be challenging because an incorrect balance between fresh grass allowance and feed supplementation results in inefficient use of the pasture, lower feed efficiency, and potential decreases in animal production. When estimating fresh grass allowance, we currently do not correct for the formation of rejected patches (RP) surrounding excreta, which can lead to overestimation of the potential fresh grass intake and hampers optimal grazing. In this study, therefore, we aim to quantify the formation of RP in intensive grazing systems and improve the quantification of fresh grass allowance. To do so, we studied 2 grazing systems (i.e., compartmented continuous grazing and strip grazing) that differ in key grazing characteristics, such as pre- and post-grazing heights and period of regrowth. The experiment was performed from April to October in 2016 and 2017 with 60 dairy cows at a fixed stocking rate of 7.5 cows/ha. Average pre-grazing grass height was measured with a rising plate meter. To quantify the formation of RP after grazing, individual grass height measurements were conducted after grazing and classified as RP or not, based on visual assessment. Our analysis showed that the average percentage of grassland covered with RP increased from around 22% at the end of May to around 43% at the end of July/beginning of August, and these percentages do not differ across grazing systems. The percentage of grassland covered with RP should be subtracted from the total grazed area to better estimate true fresh grass allowance.

The rising plate meter (RPM) is used to measure grass height, which subsequently is used in a calibration equation to estimate herbage mass (HM), an important parameter for optimization of feed management in grazing systems. The RPM is placed on the sward and measures the resistance of the sward toward the plate, which depends not only on grass length, but also on sward structure. The accuracy of the calibration equation for the RPM to estimate HM across grazing systems, however, has not yet been evaluated. Therefore, our aim was to analyze the effect of intensive grazing systems on RPM calibration for perennial ryegrass pastures. To do so, we studied 2 grazing systems: compartmented continuous grazing (CCG) and strip grazing (SG), which differ in key grazing characteristics, such as pre- and post-grazing heights and period of regrowth, that may influence tiller density and vertical flexibility of the sward. The experiment was performed from April until October in 2016 and 2017 with 60 dairy cows, at a fixed stocking rate of 7.5 cows per hectare. To calibrate the RPM, 256 direct measurements of HM >4 cm (i.e., above stubble) were collected by cutting and weighing plots of grass for CCG and SG. Our main interest was in the HM above stubble because this is consumed by cows. Herbage mass 4 cm between the grazing systems. Therefore, HM 4 cm. Differences between grazing systems were relatively small, and including grazing system as a factor in the regression model to explain the increase in HM per centimeter of grass did not reduce the RMSEP of the model to any relevant extent. On the other hand, HM 4 cm. Our results indicate that we can use one region-specific calibration equation for perennial ryegrass pastures across intensive grazing systems, despite relatively large differences in pre- and post-grazing heights and period of regrowth.

International audience; Within the Horizon 2020 thematic network Inno4Grass (www.inno4grass.eu) grassland innovations were analysed in practice and science meetings that are participatory, multi-stakeholder discussion groups. Their outcome was summarised in 115 practice abstracts (PAs) from eight countries. PAs are short summaries for practitioners containing the most important results of the activity and the main practical recommendations. In order to investigate which are the most relevant common traits characterising the innovation process in the European agricultural practice, twenty-seven descriptors of the topics addressed in the PAs were scored for presence/absence. The results were analysed by means of a Principal Component Analysis, resulting in a fairly low proportion (31.5%) of the total variation explained by the first two components. Aspects related to regional marketing are quite closely related to Component 1. The factors ‘organic farming’ and ‘animal welfare’, as well as ‘conventional farming’ and ‘machinery and tools’, were strongly related to each other. There was no obvious pattern of the data due to the agroclimatic areas but decreases in management intensity seemed to be related to the adoption of regional marketing strategies. A certain bias might be present due to partners intentionally focusing only on a specific topic.

Grazing is inherently close to the nature of herbivores, but no longer applied everywhere in Europe. Therefore, the perception of grassland experts on the occurrence, importance, constraints, solutions and future of grazing of dairy cows was studied. The study builds on results from the European Grassland Federation Working Group Grazing in the period 2010&ndash, 2019. Both surveys and focus group meetings were used. There is a clear trend of reduced grazing in Europe. Since grazing is valued by different stakeholders and provides many ecosystem services, solutions to the constraints to grazing must be found. Constraints can be divided into region specific constraints, farm specific constraints and farmer specific constraints. The solutions include developing new knowledge, bringing the knowledge already available to practice and rewarding farmers for grazing as a service to society. If grazing is not supported, it will further decline. However, a joined endeavour has the potential to make a significant difference in transforming grass-based production systems and stimulating grazing.

In temperate regions of Europe where grass grows for most of the year, grazed pasture is the lowest cost feed for milk production. Grazed pasture can make a contribution to dairy cow feeding systems in other parts of Europe, but is less important. While there are many challenges to maintaining or increasing the proportion of grazed grass in dairy cow diets, there are also opportunities to increase its contribution. Grass use and quality can be challenging for several reasons, including the cow and sward interaction, and factors influencing dry matter intake. Adapting grazing management strategies can provide opportunities for incorporating grazing and perhaps increase grazing in dairy cow milk production systems. Pasture management tools and techniques offer the opportunity to increase herbage use at grazing. While there are many benefits of grazing including economic, environmental, animal welfare and social, there are also the challenges to maintaining grazed pasture in dairy cow diets. The objective of this paper is to present an overview of the challenges and opportunities for grazing in dairy milk production systems.

This study explores options to improve the quantification of the on-farm fresh grass intake, and corresponding N and P content, in the ANCA tool (Annual Nutrient Cycling Assessment). Both literature and input from different relevant stakeholders were used. Additional data input is required to achieve an actual improvement. The size of the grazing platform and the period of grazing throughout the year appear to be the most promising options for this purpose. Dit onderzoek verkent mogelijkheden tot verbetering van de berekening van de opname van weidegras, met bijbehorende N- en P-gehalten, in de KringloopWijzer. Zowel resultaten van literatuuronderzoek als input van verschillende relevante stakeholders zijn gebruikt. Een daadwerkelijke verbetering vraagt om extra invoer, waarbij grootte van de huiskavel en periode van weidegang naar voren zijn gekomen als meest perspectiefvol.

Innovation brokering system is an organisational structure of persons or institutions that, from a relatively impartial third-party position, purposefully catalyse innovation through bringing together actors and facilitating their interaction on international, national or regional levels. The aim of this paper is to analyse innovation brokering systems (IBS) across Europe that are, or have the potential to be, used in grassland farming. Eight European countries within the Horizon2020 project Inno4Grass were involved in the analysis: Belgium (BE), France (FR), Germany (DE), Ireland (IE), Italy (IT), Poland (PL), Sweden(SE) and the Netherlands (NL). To collect information about IBS related to grasslands in these countries, a questionnaire was developed on characteristics of the different brokering systems and their barriers and benefits. The collected data allowed for an inventory and evaluation of existing structures fostering IBS using descriptive analysis of quantitative data. We concluded that IBS should be an important part of building a European innovation space for grassland-based farming.

Within the framework of the Horizon 2020 thematic network Inno4Grass (www.inno4grass.eu), 55 'practice & science meetings' have been carried out using a multi-stakeholder, participatory approach, in order to bridge the gap between science and practice and deliver a comprehensive analysis of grassland innovations across eight European countries. Three project phases can be distinguished: (1) common guidelines under discussion, (2) introduction and preliminary test of the guidelines, (3) additional training on the discussion process. A structured feedback on the meetings held was provided by the organisers by means of a questionnaire, including information about duration, preparatory material, participants, discussion methods and evaluation of the meetings by the organisers. This information allows computing of mean values and distribution of the most relevant variables. Only a few of them were affected by the project phase. In particular, there was an increase in the use of farm portraits and of scientific literature over the project phases. All aspects describing the success of meetings were positively assessed. This suggests that the methodology for the conduction of the practice & science meetings within Inno4Grass was already relatively well established at the beginning of the project.

International audience; The potential of grasslands as a carbon (C) sink in Europe is large despite the number of uncertainties related to the effect of grazing systems on C sequestration. The EIP-AGRI Focus Group (FG) ‘Grazing for Carbon’, a temporary group of 20 selected European experts from research and practice, shared knowledge and experience from different disciplines on the relationship between grazing and soil C. The FG explored grazing management strategies, drivers and barriers for different grazing systems, as well as tools and business models to support them successfully. The overall aim was to identify how to increase the soil C content in grazing systems. Six priorities were addressed: the effects and trade-offs associated with approaches to sequestering C in different grazing systems, the effect of grazing on C and soil nutrients, the role of plant mixtures and native species, general guidelines for optimal grazing, effective monitoring of soil C as a tool for soil quality evaluation and incentives to promote the adoption of grazing systems to optimise soil C content.

This report presents the main outcomes of the sixth meeting of the EGF Working Group “Grazing” which was held in Cork, Ireland on 17 June 2018. The aim of the Working Group “Grazing” is to exchange knowledge on all aspects of grazing research and to provide a forum for networking. The theme of the meeting in Cork was “Maximising grazing in ruminant production systems”.

There is increased consumer demand for food products with a perceived positive image. Product quality can be assessed in terms of food safety, nutritional composition, technological and sensory characteristics and ethics. In order to summarise the current knowledge linking quality traits and management practices, a literature review was performed in relation to seven types of management practice: four concerning animal feeding, one concerning breeds and two concerning ethical aspects of the production, and information is presented as seven tables. Literature on use of authentication and traceability for marketed grassland-based products is summarised in a further five tables. Scientific evidence of the differentiation of grassland-based products is currently consolidating, but some practices lead to uncertain results and deserve further research. Authentication is possible but is used to a relatively small extent because of high costs or the lack of analytical techniques suitable for routine use. Marketing appears to be successful without authentication, but this may lead to product counterfeiting. Research and development should be targeted to find viable low-cost solutions to introduce authentication practices to safeguard the added value of grassland-based products and ensure fair remuneration for producers.

Production of grass and fodder crops in areas under intensive production systems in the Low Countries of north-west Europe faces a number of threats related to increased regulations, scarcity of land and restricted freedom of use of the land, and from climate change. Grassland-based farmers are pushed to do more with less, i.e., to improve eco-efficiency, and this requires "more knowledge per ha." This article argues that progress in variety breeding, the application of crop rotation instead of monocultures, a proper use of catch crops, ley-arable farming and overall good management offer realistic opportunities to cope with current threats. A large capacity for mechanization also allows improvement of net yields per ha. This article highlights that progress in plant breeding has compensated for yield declines caused by nutrient-input restrictions in forage maize (Zea mays L.). Both forage maize and grass-clover can take advantages of ley-arable farming, and crop rotation provides an insurance against the effects of low-yielding years and a buffer for reduced nutrient inputs.

This report presents the main outcomes of the fifth meeting of the EGF Working Group “Grazing” which was held in Trondheim, Norway on 4 September 2016. The aim of the Working Group “Grazing” is to exchange knowledge on all aspects of grazing research and to provide a forum for networking. The theme of the meeting in Trondheim was “Grazing in a high-tech world”

Intervention présentée aux Journées de l'AFPF, "Le pâturage au coeur des systèmes d'élevage de demain", les 21 et 22 mars 2017; Livestock grazing is central to many important agricultural and dietary issues. However, its use has been declining as both farm size and climate-related variability in forage have increased. Foresight studies examining food security have found that grasslands play an important role in allowing adjustments under different circumstances. Grazing can be used to ensure farm economic performance, address environmental challenges, and respond to consumer expectations. It is drawing ever increasing attention from the dairy industry and product distributors, as well as from legislators in certain countries. However, we currently lack a proper method for quantifying grazing practices (here, we describe a potential way to estimate the maximum contribution made by grazing to livestock production). We also need to establish shared European-level standards (in Germany and the Netherlands, to be considered grass fed, livestock must graze at least 6 h/day and 120 days/year).; L'exploitation de la prairie par le pâturage est une modalité essentielle de valorisation de la ressource fourragère. Elle est au cœur de nombreux enjeux de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation, en vue d'assurer une alimentation de qualité et en quantité suffisante. Le pâturage permet d'assurer une performance économique des exploitations en réduisant les coûts de production, de relever les défis environnementaux du changement climatique ou de la préservation de la biodiversité et répond aux attentes des citoyens. Pourtant, cette pratique diminue dans un grand nombre de pays, sous l'effet de l'augmentation de la taille des exploitations et de l'incertitude de la ressource fourragère pâturée en réponse aux aléas climatiques. En conséquence, la question du pâturage est inscrite de façon croissante à l'agenda des industries laitières, des distributeurs, et même au niveau législatif dans certains pays. Ceci montre combien le pâturage est partie intégrante d'un système, qu'il convient de bien décrire, en vue de proposer des innovations pertinentes et acceptables.De grandes différences d'intensité du pâturage existent entre pays, entre régions, entre espèces animales et types raciaux. Dans de nombreux pays, la tendance est à la diminution de l'utilisation du pâturage pour alimenter les animaux et en particulier les vaches laitières.Toutefois, les données consolidées manquent sur la pratique réelle du pâturage, l'enregistrement au niveau des exploitations étant rare et fragmentaire. Un mode de calcul est proposé pour estimer la contribution maximale du pâturage à la production animale. Cet article souligne la nécessité de disposer de méthodologies partagées pour mesurer l'usage du pâturage et d'établir une norme partagée au niveau européen. Les valeurs de 6 h/j et 120 j/an, déjà utilisées en Allemagne et aux Pays-Bas, pourraient servir de base à ce standard.

In many intensive dairy regions in northwest Europe, a decline in grazing is observed. In the Netherlands, the proportion of dairy cows with access to pasture is declining, as well as the time spent grazing per cow. The decline in grazing is seen as an unwanted trend by many stakeholders and is, thus, under debate amongst dairy farmers, the dairy chain, and society. Therefore, a public&ndash, private partnership was initiated to encourage grazing by providing farmers with usable means of improving their grazing systems. The partnership involved stakeholders from the dairy farming community, dairy and feed industry, agrotechnical industries, advisory services, and research. The objective of this partnership was to develop and stimulate technological innovations and management measures that increase fresh grass intake at pasture. The innovation network combined an integrated research approach with farmer working groups and broader stakeholder interactive meetings. The project started with a comprehensive grass intake framework, which was the foundation for exploration of innovations. The framework consisted of six interlinked components: soil, grass growth, grass supply, grass intake, feed supplementation, and cow behavior. In a continuous interactive cycle, strategic choices were made to focus on potentially effective innovations. The use of a public&ndash, private partnership to develop usable innovations that encourage grazing practices proven to be a good approach to develop a shared vision among stakeholders. It provided a basis to work together toward innovative practices and to disseminate the outcomes to the foreseen users. The approach succeeded in design concepts for two specific innovations, i.e., weekly grass growth predictions and daily fresh grass intake tracking. We demonstrated that meaningful grazing and fresh grass intake are possible in intensive dairy systems with high stocking rates and high levels of supplementary feeding.

Dairy production in the Netherlands is characterized by high stocking densities, high inputs of chemical fertilizer and concentrates and is facing multiple challenges on environment, landscape and welfare issues. This review focuses on nitrate, ammonia and methane emissions, and grazing. Emission reductions from dairy farms over the last twenty years have been realized by a combination of fundamental and applied research and active participation by farmers. An overview of participatory projects in the dairy sector is given. Although emissions of nitrate, ammonia and methane have been reduced in the period 1990–2010, strict environmental targets still have not been met and landscape and animal welfare issues present additional emerging challenges. Fundamental changes in dairy production systems might be needed, and the focus of participatory projects should shift from adjusting existing systems towards the exploration of new production systems.