Establishing a Rotational Grazing Calendar in Mixed Farming Systems in Portugal
The impact of climate change on the Montado system is severe, causing soil degradation, water scarcity, high temperatures, extreme weather events, and pest and disease proliferation. These factors affect tree health andproductivity, and animal welfare. To ensure the system’s resilience and sustainability, it is essential to balance forest density and livestock stocking rates, influencing grazing strategies.
Optimized grazing management is crucial, especially in systems with high stocking rates or multiple livestock types. Overgrazing can lead to soil compaction, reduced tree health, and compromised vegetation regeneration. Well-managed pastures, however, reduce the need for supplementary feed, lowering farm costs. Defining grazing areas, rest periods, and animal numbers per plot helps to adapt the Montado system to climate change and improves pasture management.
Implementing a rotational grazing calendar varies depending on farm characteristics and livestock type but is key to system resilience. This strategy can be expanded to other mixed and extensive livestock systems, strengthening sustainability.
At Monte da Silveira, a 700-hectare farm in Castelo Branco, Portugal, livestock includes pigs, sheep, and goats, alongside crops and pastures.
Grazing is rotational: each plot subdivided into small plots where a high number of animals graze for a short period (hours or days) and then rest for a long period (months or years). The number of animals and grazing time is controlled to avoid overgrazing, erosion and soil degradation, promoting soil regeneration. The system follows a specific grazing sequence: local-breed black pigs feed on acorns first, followed by sheep grazing on herbaceous species, and finally goats controlling shrubs. This model adds value to acornfed pigs, reduces wildfire risk, and prevents overgrazing.
Climate Farm Demo
Ongoing | 2022-2029
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
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