Practice Abstract - Research and innovation

Farm collaboration for improved landscape and nutrient management using biogas and biorefinery technologies (Network: Denmark | Aarhus University)

In one of the MIXED farmer networks in Denmark, 11 farmers are managing livestock and farmland in the vicinity of streams flowing into the shallow and nutrient vulnerable waters of Limfjorden - an inland fjord system connected to the sea. Reduction of nitrate leaching from agriculture is required to improve the aquatic conditions in Limfjorden.
The network consist of a mix of pig and dairy farms with crop production, small-holder farms, and arable farms. The farmland soils are dominated by sandy soils with varying clay content. 90 % of the farmland is cultivated with arable crops mainly winter wheat, spring barley, winter oilseed rape, and maize and 8 % is cultivated as grassland mostly concentrated on the dairy farms.
Network farmers are already aware of the importance of reducing nitrate leaching. Farmers have widely adapted the use of biogas plants and a targeted use of catch crops to improve nutrient utilization and reduce nitrate leaching.
There is a need for a joint effort among farmers to find viable solutions addressing the environmental issue of nitrate leaching in the region. We recommend that farmers discuss the issue together and consider the potential for in collaboration cultivating more grassland targeted to areas with the lowest groundwater nitrogen retention. In addition, farmers should discuss their willingness to cooperate on a local biorefinery of green biomass coupled with grasslands and a biogas plant. We also advice farmers to reflect on integration of crop and livestock production, exchange of resources between farmers (e.g. nutrients, knowledge, machinery, farmland, and livestock), and inclusion of other relevant stakeholders to improve nutrient management.
Source Project
MIXED - Multi-actor and transdisciplinary development of efficient and resilient MIXED farming and agroforestry systems
Ongoing | 2020-2025
Main funding source
Horizon 2020 (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
Geographical location
Denmark
Project details

Project Keywords