THE POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTION OF LEGUMINOUS FORAGE CROPS IN SUSTAINABLE CATTLE HUSBANDRY

Abstract

Within Europe, half the annual requirement for feed is provided by grassland. However, although the EU is a net exporter of feed grain it is a substantial importer of protein and non grain feed ingredients. After a long period of decline, there is a renewed interest in forage legumes for several economical and ecological reasons and the European Union strengthen the role of protein-rich crops, by providing a supplementary payment for farmers producing these crops. The main environmental advantage of legume-based forage crop husbandry is the reduction of the fossil energy that is necessary to synthesize inorganic N fertilizers and to reform other protein sources into useful feed for cattle. In order to develop sustainable, legume-based live stock production systems, we need to understand the complex relationships that exist between herbivores and the plants they consume. In addition, more information is required on the processes of energy transfer and nutrient loss from the system. To increase farmer confidence in the use of forage legumes it is necessary to have more reliable establishment techniques and to reduce the variability in legume contribution within and between years, particularly for legumes in mixed swards. And last not least how leguminous crops will adapt to the climate change in Europe?