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Challenges of Pasture Feeding Systems—Opportunities and Constraints

Author

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  • Barbara Wróbel

    (Institute of Technology and Life Sciences—National Research Institute, 3 Hrabska Avenue, 05-090 Raszyn, Poland)

  • Waldemar Zielewicz

    (Department of Grassland and Natural Landscape Sciences, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Dojazd 11, 60-632 Poznan, Poland)

  • Mariola Staniak

    (Department of Forage Crop Production, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation-State Research Institute, Czartoryskich 8, 24-100 Puławy, Poland)

Abstract

Grazing plays an important role in milk production in most regions of the world. Despite the importance of grazing, current trends in livestock farming in Europe are causing a decline in the popularity of pasture-based feeding of dairy cows. This paper aims to provide an overview of the challenges faced by the pasture feeding system under climate change. Grazing lands provide ecosystem services including regulation and storage of water flows, nutrient cycling, and C sequestration. Livestock grazing is the most important factor shaping and stabilizing pasture biodiversity. Some opportunities for pasture feeding are the health-promoting and nutritional qualities of milk and milk products, especially milk from pasture-fed cows. The beneficial effects of pasture feeding on animal health and welfare are not insignificant. Available organizational innovations can help better manage livestock grazing and, above all, better understand the impact of the grazing process on the environment and climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Barbara Wróbel & Waldemar Zielewicz & Mariola Staniak, 2023. "Challenges of Pasture Feeding Systems—Opportunities and Constraints," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-31, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:5:p:974-:d:1135408
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    2. Wojciech Stopa & Barbara Wróbel & Anna Paszkiewicz-Jasińska & Maria Strzelczyk, 2023. "Effect of Biochar Application and Mineral Fertilization on Biomass Production and Structural Carbohydrate Content in Forage Plant Mixture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-29, September.

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