Abstract
Numerous publications have highlighted the potential role of grassland in the mitigation of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the agricultural sector. Yet, the preservation of grassland is included in the main objectives of the greening policies of the European Union (EU). To assess how this greening program has influenced the behaviour and perceptions of the dairy sector, two surveys were foreseen during the project LIFE dairyclim and sent to all the dairy farmers of Wallonia (Belgium) at three-year intervals (2016 – 2019). The answer rates reached 32.6%. Questions concerned four topics: General farm description, grazing practices, perceptions and expectations, and general grassland management. Following the results of these surveys, a large majority of lactating dairy cows grazed in Wallonia (96.5%). The main differences between 2016 and 2019 were the increase in size of the dairy farms in terms of surface (77.2 ha in 2016 to 84.4 ha in 2019) and production, the disappearance of small farms of less than 60 cows, and the progression of the organic sector from 9.3% to 11.7%. Perceptions of farmers on grazing differed following their grazing practices: No-grazing farmers were very sceptical about the advantages of grazing. On the opposite hand, organic farmers were very enthusiastic. Awareness of farmers about the preservation of landscape and the image of the sector for the consumers has increased during the three-year period. The requirements of the dairy industry and authorities were cited as incentives to keep grazing. The expectations of the farmers differed from 2016 to 2019 with a smaller proportion desiring to increase their grazing practices and more, staying stable. These results seem to indicate that the support of farmers and the involvement of authorities and stakeholders could contribute to maintain grazing.
Highlights
Following experts’ estimations, the agricultural sector contributes about 14.5% of global anthropic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions [1,2]
We investigated how ORG farms differed from CONV ones and the impact of these specificities on farmers’ perceptions
We investigated how ORG farms differed from CONV ones and ThteheaivmepraacgteofOthResGe sfpaercmifichitaieds oan sfaurrmfaercse’ poefrc6e6ptihoan,s.58.4 cows, and an annual milk production of 4630 liters per cow
Summary
Following experts’ estimations, the agricultural sector contributes about 14.5% of global anthropic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions [1,2]. Net carbon fluxes from atmosphere to soil enable sequestration in grassland soils and lead to carbon storage i.e., carbon trapped in the soil [3]. This sinking potential is considered as a lever to alleviate the emissions of the sector [4,5]. TIhnetrpodreuscetrivoantion of grasslands is crucial because of their impact on the productivity of dairy farms and on environmental and societal issues. The objective of this second survey intended to dairy farmers froTmheBpelrgeisuemrva(Wtioanlloonf igar)aasnsdlanfrdosmisLcurxuecmiabl obuercgauissethoefftohleloirwimuppaocfttohne gthraespslraondduuctsieviitnytohfe dairy dairy ffaarrmmssa, nads poanrtenovf itrhoenpmroejnectatlLainfed-Dsoaicriyectlailmis. How old are the owner(s) of the farm? Several answers are possible o Less than 30 y? Less than 30 y?
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