Sammanfattning

There is an urgent need for transformational change in agriculture to address current and future issues caused by climate change, biodiversity loss and socio-ecological disruption. But change is slow to come and is hindered by a lack of transdisciplinary evidence on potential approaches which take a systems approach. The research described here was co-developed with the Pasture Fed Livestock Association in the UK to objectively evidence their practices. These include producing pasture-based meat from livestock fed on pasture and pasture-based forages alone. This approach sits alongside wider aims of fitting their practices with the ecological conditions on each individual farm to facilitate optimal production and working collaboratively through a forum for sharing knowledge. The research provides strong indications that the PFLA approach to livestock production is resilient and viable, as well as contributing to wider public goods delivery, despite variability within and between farms. It also reveals that learning and adaption of practice (through farmer experience) is central to farming using agro-ecological approaches. This fluidity of practice presents challenges for reductionist approaches to "measuring" agricultural innovations.

Nyckelord

innovative practitioners; holistic assessment; pasture fed livestock; sustainability; resilience; grassland

Publicerad i

Frontiers in sustainable food systems
2022, Volym: 6, artikelnummer: 1012691
Utgivare: FRONTIERS MEDIA SA

SLU författare

• Smith, Laurence

  • Institutionen för biosystem och teknologi, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    
  • Organic Research Centre
  • University of Reading

Globala målen

Skydda, återställa och främja ett hållbart nyttjande av landbaserade ekosystem, hållbart bruka skogar, bekämpa ökenspridning, hejda och vrida tillbaka markförstöringen samt hejda förlusten av biologisk mångfald
Vidta omedelbara åtgärder för att bekämpa klimatförändringarna och dess konsekvenser


UKÄ forskningsämne

Miljö- och naturvårdsvetenskap


Publikationens identifierare

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2022.1012691

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/120923