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1000
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Abstract/Summary
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Clover-grasses address the following objectives: Decreased input use (N-fertilization), reduced dependency of inorganic N => reduced GHG emissions; Possibility for increased protein content of silage, reduced dependency on purchased protein feed supplement (home grown proteins, resilience) © Natural Resources Institute Finland; Better utilisation of farmland in the context of climate change in the north: Higher T - improved N fixation; Compatible with sustainable agriculture and sustainable intensification: more output with the same inputs / the same output with reduced (non-renewable) inputs - In contrast: Shifting to silage maize increases N fertilisation; Major shift from grasslands to silage maize in e.g. Denmark ; 1. Small cost reductions in clover-grass cultivation, or clover-grass premiums, may or may not increase clover cultivation - Their effectiveness is uncertain and subject to prices; 2. N tax is effective, but is not a suitable policy action in current financial situation of farms (milk crisis 2015-2016); 3. However, the results suggest that a 25% higher N price lead to © Natural Resources Institute Finland significantly higher clover grass area and a small reduction ín milk output – with no cost reductions or extra premiums!; 4. To increase clover cultivation, price ratios should be adjusted!; 5. If increasing clover -grass yield, a robust increase in clover grass areas may realise, with small benefits for farm economy and overall production – How much more clover grass yield could be attained at low costs? A topic for further discussion and analysis!
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