Policy Measures for Extensive Farming Systems in Southwest Norway

Policy Measures for Extensive Farming Systems in Southwest Norway

The open landscapes produced over centuries by farming in southwest Norway are threatened by agricultural abandonment, raising public concern for maintenance of the species rich and valuable coastal grasslands. A study in two municipalities revealed that semi-natural grasslands, traditionally grazed in spring and fall and mowed in-between, are most affected. Two linear programming models, one for part time sheep farms and one for larger mixed dairy and meat farms, were developed to study measures for stimulating production, in particular effects on grazing and land utilization of altering support between leys, farm pasture, and grazing animals. Yields and fertilization level in the models were set in accordance with farm account studies. Sheep numbers and grazing can be expanded by hiring more labour and by increased fertilization if profitability is improved. On mixed dairy farms with a milk quota, increased support for grazing might promote a transfer to steers, currently quite uncommon. Prolonging the spring and fall grazing periods should also be considered to improve management of such grasslands, but may increase gastrointestinal nematode problems in the wet coastal climate, and involve less outfield grazing. The analysis demonstrates that idle pasture resources can be utilized by supporting grazing, however, a mixed support system seems appropriate whereas too strong or unilateral support for grazing may lead to increased feed purchases. The balancing of measures targeting grazing animals, leys, and farm pastures can be improved.