Sustainable intensification of grass-based beef production systems in alpine regions: How to increase economic efficiency while preserving biodiversity?

Abstract

CONTEXTBeef production on grasslands has multiple positive impacts. In addition to the production of high-quality protein, marginal lands in particular enable high biodiversity and landscape quality. However, this type of production is perceived as less economical than more intensive meat production systems. OBJECTIVEThe aim of the study is to develop recommendations on how different grass-based production systems can be economically improved without endangering biodiversity. METHODSThirty-five suckler cow farms supplying into two different brand programmes (Natura-Veal: slaughter age at five months; Natura-Beef: slaughter age at 10 months) were grouped into four production systems across two production sites in Switzerland: Natura-Veal, mountain region, extensive (VMount); Natura-Beef, mountain region (BMount); Natura-Veal, hilly region, intensive (VHill) and Natura-Beef, lowlands (BLowla). On the farms, beef production was analysed in detail on the basis of technical production data as well as full cost accounting. The farms were grouped into one model farm (farm type) per production system. On each model farm, optimisation options were simulated and checked for practicability with farmer participation. The optimisation focused primarily on improving cow efficiency via the sale of more slaughter animals per cow, through lower animal losses, higher fertility or the additional purchase of calves suckled by a nurse cow. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSDescriptive statistics showed significant positive correlations between stocking rate and land productivity and significant negative correlations between stocking rate/land productivity and the share of biodiversity areas (SBA), confirming previous findings. These relationships were also reflected in the production site of the farms, as mountain farms with lower productivity had a significantly higher SBA, while farms in areas with better grass growth had fewer biodiversity areas but higher productivity. Accordingly, the optimisation options were adapted to the production site under the constraint of a constant stocking rate. In favourable forage-growing areas, further intensification via improving cow efficiency by buying foreign calves led to significant improvements in profitability (VHill and BLowla). In mountain areas, the optimisation potential is lower. Site-adapted, i.e., small-framed and robust, cow types lead to better cow efficiency, which also contributes to good profitability in extensive production with a high biodiversity share, although this is strongly determined by national direct payments (VMount and BMount). Both income and biodiversity can be optimised if cow efficiency is increased and production systems are adapted to the site as closely as possible. SIGNIFICANCEThe study shows practicable recommendations for sustainable intensification in grass-based meat production systems in the current discussion on maintaining or increasing biodiversity in agriculture.