QS9D5PX7

2638

15 janvier 2021 10:06

15 janvier 2021 10:06

Increasing concentrate levels in dairy cow rations have decreased the relevance of permanent grassland as a resource for German dairy farmers. We hypothesised that higher phytodiversity can be found on grassland of farms with lower concentrate feed levels, since dependence on permanent grassland as the main source for livestock nutrition may lead to a more differentiated grassland management. We conducted 388 vegetation surveys on permanent grassland of organic (ORG) and conventional (CON) dairy farms in three grassland-dominated regions of Germany and quantified overall species number per site (α diversity), per farm (γ diversity) and the heterogeneity between the grassland sites of each farm (β diversity). The sample comprised 28 control farms with typical regional-specific levels of concentrate feeding (HC) paired with farms feeding less concentrate (LC). Across regions, diversity indices were higher on grassland of LC than HC farms, an effect that was more pronounced on CON than ORG farms. Farming system affected α diversity alone, and only among HC farms or in the least species-rich region. Our results indicate that low concentrate feeding strategies may be a promising way to improve grassland diversity, especially in CON farming systems.

None

• AB - Modalité bio
• FREDO alimentation animale
• GEO Allemagne
• biodiversity
• bovin laitier
• concentré
• feeding strategy
• grassland
• phytodiversity
• élevage

807

10/2020

1 octobre 2020