1
Grazing systems in SpainM.R. Mosquera-Losada1, A. González-Rodríguez2, C. Dupraz3, A.
Rigueiro-Rodríguez1
1 University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain2Agrarian Research Centre of Mabegondo, Spain
3 INRA, Montpellier, France
2
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
Grazing systems in Spain
INTRODUCTION
DAIRY PRODUCTION IN SPAIN
REDUCING CONCENTRATE USE
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
CONCLUSIONS
3
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
Atlantic Region
Mediterranean Area
Alpine Region
Continental Region
Boreal Region
European Biogeographic RegionsHabitat Directive. EUClimate
Humid Oceanic- Mild Winter- Cool Summer
Mediterranean- Mildness Winter- Dryness Summer
Grazing systems in Spain
4
Grazing systems in Spain
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
0
50
100
150
E F M A M J J A S O N D
Month
T (
ªC)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
P(m
m)
0
50
100
150
E F M A M J J A S O N D
MesesT
(ªC
)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
P(m
m)
5
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
Grazing systems in Spain
INTRODUCTION
DAIRY PRODUCTION IN SPAIN
REDUCING CONCENTRATE USE
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
CONCLUSIONS
6
Grazing systems in Spain
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
0
50
100
150
E F M A M J J A S O N D
Month
T (
ªC)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
P(m
m)
Dairy Milk Production
0
500.000
1.000.000
1.500.000
2.000.000
2.500.000
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Year
litre
s x
1000
Andalucía AragónAsturias (Principado de) Balears (Illes)Canarias CantabriaCastilla y León Castilla-La M anchaCataluña Comunitat ValencianaExtremadura GaliciaM adrid (Comunidad de) M urcia (Región de)Navarra (Comunidad Foral de) País Vasco
GALICIA
ASTURIASCANTABRIA
VASQUE COUNTRY
7
Dairy cows
0
200
400
600
800
1.000
1.200
1.400
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009Year
num
ber
x 1
000
Grazing systems in Spain
Meat cows
5.400
5.600
5.800
6.000
6.200
6.400
6.600
6.800
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009Year
nu
mb
er
x 1
00
0
Number of BOVINE farmsGALICIA
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
2003 2005 2007
Year
Nu
mb
er(X
100
0)
dairy
meat
Number of BOVINE cowsGALICIA
230
315
400
2003 2005 2007
Year
Nu
mb
er (
X 1
000)
dairy
meat
SPAIN
8
BOVINE FARMS
0
50
100
150
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2007
YEAR
Nu
mb
er o
f fa
rms
600
700
800
Nu
mb
er of an
imals (x
1000)
Number of farmsNumber of cow s
• Increase number of animals/farm• Profitability• Intensification
Sixties-Seventies300000 farms (+6)1.030.577 animals (65 %)
50163 farms
623965 an
Grazing systems in Spain
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Grazing systems in Spain
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
Innovations• System
• Soil fertility
• Sown
• Management
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Grazing systems in Spain
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
InnovationsSystem:
Intensification* Use of silage replacing hay: maize silage* Use of concentrates (protein resource): enriched mixtures but also red clover grazing
Soil fertility
Sown
Management
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Grazing systems in Spain
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
InnovationsSystem:
Soil fertility* Use of fertilizers
N:Type (urea vs nitramon)Date (early vs late)Dose
P: deficiencies vs excessOrganic fertilizers
Sown
Management
12
Grazing systems in Spain
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
InnovationsSystem:
Soil fertility
Sown* Crop rotations: rye + maize* Legumes and grasses varieties
Management
13
Grazing systems in Spain
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
InnovationsSystem:
Soil fertility
Sown
Management* Silage: grass vs maize* System: rot vs cont* Stocking rate* Grazing:
Residual and offer grazing heightFirst grazing period
INNOVATIONS: REDUCING CONCENTRATE USE AS FEEDING ANIMALS REPRESENTS THE 60-70% OF PRODUCTION COSTS
0
50
100
150
E F M A M J J A S O N D
Month
T (
ªC)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
P(m
m)
0
50
100
150
E F M A M J J A S O N D
Meses
T (
ªC)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
P(m
m)
14
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
Grazing systems in Spain
INTRODUCTION
DAIRY PRODUCTION IN SPAIN
REDUCING CONCENTRATE USE
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
CONCLUSIONS
15
Transhumance:High altitude areasTree low density areas
Forage trees or shrubs:
Leaves and branches:Morus albaRobinia pseudoacaciaFraxinus excelsiorBetula alba
Fruits:AcornsUncomercial chesnut fruits
Reduce climate change future impacts
REDUCING ANIMAL PRODUCTION COSTS: agroforestry systems
SHEEP CARRIED TO ALPS FROM MEDITERRANEAN AREAS
ASSOCIATION CLOVER + SHRUBS
SUMMER
WINTER
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
Grazing systems in Spain
16
CROPS IN AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS MAY BE LESS SENSITIVE TO CLIMATE CHANGE HAZARDS
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1.2 to 1.6Land Equivalent Ratio
Poplars-winter cereals
14 year cycle
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Grazing systems in Spain
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Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
Grazing systems in Spain
INTRODUCTION
DAIRY PRODUCTION IN SPAIN
REDUCING CONCENTRATE USE
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
CONCLUSIONS
20
Nutrient
RIVERSNutrient Contamination
Secuestro de CarbonoUniversidade de Santiago de Compostela
Grazing systems in Spain
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Animal Manure
2000
(3.5 cows/ha) 25 mg/l N-NO3 (10 month)
60% forestry area
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
Grazing systems in Spain
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ForestryAgroforestry
DEEP ROOTS : NITRATE AND PESTICIDE LEACHING REDUCED
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Deep roots ecosystem services
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Strong reduction of Nitrogen transfers to
water tables
Site : Restinclières,
Prades Le Lez,
France
AgricultureAgroforestry Forestry
Average nitrate leaching
25
+ light+ shade
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
Grazing systems in Spain
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FRAGMENTED HABITAT
AGROFORETRY SYSTEMSCORRIDORS
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
Grazing systems in Spain
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Dupraz et al 2011Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
Grazing systems in Spain
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Product and Protect
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Interaction in separate lands
Edges,
SOWN FIREBREAKS
Tree groups, Alley cropping
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
Grazing systems in Spain
30
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
Grazing systems in Spain
31
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
Grazing systems in Spain
INTRODUCTION
DAIRY PRODUCTION IN SPAIN
REDUCING CONCENTRATE USE
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
CONCLUSIONS
32
Agroforestry could help to solve some of thefuture problems of intensive dairy systems
through:– Increasing combined production– Reducing environmental problems
