Zugpferdeeinsatz in der Landwirtschaft: Motivation, Arbeitszeit und Wirtschaftlichkeit

In recent years a growing interest in using draft horses for farm work in Germany and Europe can be observed. However, precise data concerning the performance of modern horse-drawn technology are currently rarely available. In a field study labor time requirements were measured on four farms and one market garden with regular use of draft horses. In addition, farm managers were interviewed in order to learn about their intentions to use draft horses nowadays. On the basis of the gathered data, area performance (ha/h) and total labor time requirements (AKh/ha) of several field procedures were processed. A comparison with current tractor data shows that although the tractor performs better in all field procedures, there are merely little differences in crop cultivation such as pasture or weed harrowing. Considering all arising costs the use of draft horses can, under certain conditions, even achieve a better profitability than the use of a comparable tractor

Vergleich von Nutzungsoptionen extensiven Ökogrünlands – Eine stochastische Risikoanalyse

As agri-environmental schemes often do not provide sufficient financial compensa-tion for an environmentally sound management of semi-natural grasslands, this study intended to identify ecologically and economically sustainable grassland management options, as well as their respective risk potentials. Economic and risk analyses of organic bio-energy, animal husbandry and landscape maintenance systems indicate, that the newly developed IFBB-System (Integrated Generation of Solid Fuel and Biogas from Biomass) as an add-on system to a customary biogas plant exhibits the most risk-stable and economically exquisite land use system. The regarded animal husbandry system relies on optimal framework conditions, while landscape maintenance systems below the line are costly preservation measures, displaying a low risk potential, however

On the Economics of Organic Grassland and Alternative Bio-energy Systems – A Risk Modelling Approach

Organic farming enterprises manage their grasslands mostly extensively, often participating in nature preservation schemes. On extensive or semi-natural grassland sites, the profitability of grassland utilisation with customary processing procedures like dairy or suckler cow farming is often realized insufficiently, however. As the global demand for sustainable energy supplies increases, the newly developed IFBB-technique (Integrated Generation of Solid Fuel and Biogas from Biomass) could exhibit an alternative grassland utilisation by using plant cover from extensive grasslands for the generation of renewable energies whilst preserving valuable grassland habitats, without competing against land for food production. A survey amongst farmers in the low mountain range of Vogelsberg, Germany, identified general frameworks of extensive grassland management as well as incentives and objections for an implementation of the IFBB technology at single farm level. Calculations of processing values of grassland in different procedures of animal husbandry, landscape maintenance and bio-energy production indicate that the utilisation of extensively managed grassland in alternative bio-energy systems could exhibit the most favourable land use option for organic semi-natural grassland management. These results are verified by a risk modelling approach

Energie vom extensiven Grünland? - Alternative Bioenergiesysteme im Öko-Landbau

Ökologische wirtschaftende Betriebe bewirtschaften zumeist extensives Grünland und nehmen in diesem Zusammenhang oft an Agrarumweltprogrammen teil. Auf extensiven Grünlandstandorten ist die Wirtschaftlichkeit herkömmlicher Produktionsverfahren wie Milchvieh- oder Mutterkuhhaltung jedoch oft nur unzureichend gegeben. Das neu entwickelte IFBB-Verfahren (Integrierte Festbrennstoff- und Biogasproduktion aus Biomasse) könnte eine alternative Nutzung des Extensivgrünlands für die Erzeugung erneuerbarer Energien aus extensivem Grünaufwuchs darstellen. Eine Expertenbefragung unter Landwirten im Vogelsbergkreis, Hessen, konnte Rahmenbedingungen des extensiven Grünlandmanagements sowie Vor- und Nachteile der Einführung des IFBB-Verfahrens auf einzelbetrieblicher Ebene identifizieren. Auf der Grundlage der ermittelten Daten deutet die Berechnung von Veredelungswerten von je zwei Tierhaltungs-, Bioenergie- und Landschaftspflegeverfahren an, dass extensives Grünland neben den Landschaftspflegeverfahren besonders wirtschaftlich in alternativen Bioenergieverfahren eingesetzt werden kann

Fruchtbarer Boden auch im viehlosen Biolandbau

Die Zahl viehloser Biobetriebe wächst. Sie alle stehen vor der Herausforderung, auch ohne tierischen Wirtschaftsdünger den Boden langfristig ertragreich zu erhalten. Eine Lösung bieten integrierte Biogasanlagen

Biogas in Organic Agriculture: Utopia, Dead-End or Role model? - A Synopsis

Present-day organic biogas production provokes controversy of its role between the poles of societal demands, principles of organic agriculture and economic constraints. By integrating multiple arguments on organic biogas in a meta-level, several future trends are identified. However, only one option seems reasonable, where anaerobic digestion on a confined scale, mainly based on residual substrate input, serves both energy and food security demands while enhancing the productivity of organic farming systems

Alternativen der Kleegrasnutzung in vieharmen und viehlosen Betrieben

Increasing number of stockless organic farms give reason to search for new forms of clover-grass (CG) utilization in order to maintain or increase soil fertility and productivity. A quantitative study was carried out among 93 organic farms to identify different forms of CG utilization and their assets and drawbacks on organic farms. Different ways of CG transfer such as direct transfer (cut & carry) and indirect transfer stockless farms. In addition, seven farms were interviewed about their experiences with CG transfer practices. The farmers rate CG transfer mainly positive, since it may partially compensate the negative effects on soil fertility through the missing manure on stockless organic farms. As less than 0.2 LU/ha is found on more than 34% of all organic farms, there is a high relevance for alternative forms of CG usage in order to ensure the fertility of organic arable farming. However, we also see a high need for research to improve economic conditions of animal husbandry as an integral part of sustainable organic farming systems

Alternativen der Kleegrasnutzung in vieharmen und viehlosen Betrieben

Increasing number of stockless organic farms give reason to search for new forms of clover-grass (CG) utilization in order to maintain or increase soil fertility and productivity. A quantitative study was carried out among 93 organic farms to identify different forms of CG utilization and their assets and drawbacks on organic farms. Different ways of CG transfer such as direct transfer (cut & carry) and indirect transfer stockless farms. In addition, seven farms were interviewed about their experiences with CG transfer practices. The farmers rate CG transfer mainly positive, since it may partially compensate the negative effects on soil fertility through the missing manure on stockless organic farms. As less than 0.2 LU/ha is found on more than 34% of all organic farms, there is a high relevance for alternative forms of CG usage in order to ensure the fertility of organic arable farming. However, we also see a high need for research to improve economic conditions of animal husbandry as an integral part of sustainable organic farming systems

Humusersatzstrategien aus ökonomischer Perspektive: Notwendiges Übel oder gewinnbringende Investition?

Management measures to maintain or increase soil organic matter (SOM) are generally associated with additional costs and a decreasing profitability of crop rotations. However, certain SOM-enhancing strategies may have the potential to synergistically optimize also the economic output in the short or long term. We evaluated several crop rotations and green/straw manuring systems on diverging site properties in stockless farm systems for their effects on production economics. Benefits may especially derive from an increased spatio-temporal synchronization of crop nutrient demand and nutrient supply by turning green manures into mobile fertilizers, which can even result in short term economic benefits. However, as effects do not necessarily show instantly, from an economic point of view SOM-enhancing measures are proposed to be handled as an investment with a future amortization of instant expenses by stabilizing or improving soil functions and crop yields

Humusersatzstrategien im viehlosen Ökolandbau

Soil organic matter management is a challenge especially in stockless organic farming systems, as shares of fodder legumes in crop rotations are often small to provide more cash crop area, and farmyard manure as the most valuable source for organic matter supply to soils is not available. However, there are many different options for stockless farms to tackle this challenge. In this article we discuss strategies for organic matter supply to soils based on scenarios for different soil-climate regions in Germany. We conclude that the integration of fodder legumes into crop rotations is the most valuable option, as these crops do not only provide carbon but are able to replace mineralized soil organic matter nitrogen that has been exported with the harvested biomass of the cash crops