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Permanent grassland soils can act as a sink for carbon and may therefore positively contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation. We compared young (5–15 years since latest grassland renewal) with old (>20 years since latest grassland renewal) permanent grassland soils in terms of carbon stock, carbon sequestration, drought tolerance and flood resistance. The research was carried out on marine clay soil at 10 dairy farms with young and old permanent grassland. As hypothesized, the carbon stock was larger in old grassland (62 Mg C ha−1) topsoil (0–10 cm) than in young grassland topsoil (51 Mg C ha−1). The carbon sequestration rate was greater in young (on average 3.0 Mg C ha−1 year−1) compared with old grassland (1.6 Mg C ha−1 year−1) and determined by initial carbon stock. Regarding potential drought tolerance, we found larger soil moisture and soil organic matter (SOM) contents in old compared with young grassland topsoils. As hypothesized, the old grassland soils were more resistant to heavy rainfall as measured by water infiltration rate and macroporosity (at 20 cm depth) in comparison with the young grassland soils. In contrast to our hypothesis we did not find a difference in rooting between young and old permanent grassland, probably due to large variability in root biomass and root tip density. We conclude that old grasslands at dairy farms on clay soil can contribute more to the ecosystem services climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation than young grasslands. This study shows that under real farm conditions on a clay topsoil, carbon stock increases with grassland age and even after 30 years carbon saturation has not been reached. Further study is warranted to determine by how much extending grassland age can contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Highlights We studied the effect of young versus old grassland on a range of soil properties related to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Old, more than young, grassland soils offer potential to mitigate and adapt to climate change. This finding gives farmers insight into the merits of extending grassland age on clay soils. Soil carbon stock determines carbon sequestration rate more than grassland age.
Goaitske Iepema; Nyncke J. Hoekstra; Ron de Goede; Jaap Bloem; Lijbert Brussaard; Nick van Eekeren. Extending grassland age for climate change mitigation and adaptation on clay soils. European Journal of Soil Science 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleGoaitske Iepema, Nyncke J. Hoekstra, Ron de Goede, Jaap Bloem, Lijbert Brussaard, Nick van Eekeren. Extending grassland age for climate change mitigation and adaptation on clay soils. European Journal of Soil Science. 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGoaitske Iepema; Nyncke J. Hoekstra; Ron de Goede; Jaap Bloem; Lijbert Brussaard; Nick van Eekeren. 2021. "Extending grassland age for climate change mitigation and adaptation on clay soils." European Journal of Soil Science , no. : 1.
Renewing agricultural grasslands for improved yields and forage quality generally involves eliminating standing vegetation with herbicides, ploughing and reseeding. However, grassland renewal may negatively affect soil quality and related ecosystem services. On clay soil in the north of the Netherlands, we measured grass productivity and soil chemical parameters of ‘young’ (5–15 years since last grassland renewal) and ‘old’ (>20 years since last grassland renewal) permanent grasslands, located as pairs at 10 different dairy farms. We found no significant difference with old permanent grassland in herbage dry matter yield and fertilizer nitrogen (N) response, whereas herbage N yield was lower in young permanent grassland. Moreover, the young grassland soil contained less soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic carbon (C) and soil organic N compared to the old grassland soil. Grass productivity was positively correlated with SOM and related parameters such as soil organic C, soil organic N and potentially mineralizable N. We conclude that on clay soils with 70% desirable grasses (i.e., Lolium perenne and Phleum pratense) or more, the presumed yield benefit of grassland renewal is offset by a loss of soil quality (SOM and N-total). The current practice of renewing grassland after 10 years without considering the botanical composition, is counter-productive and not sustainable.
Goaitske Iepema; Joachim G. C. Deru; Jaap Bloem; Nyncke Hoekstra; Ron De Goede; Lijbert Brussaard; Nick Van Eekeren. Productivity and Topsoil Quality of Young and Old Permanent Grassland: An On-Farm Comparison. Sustainability 2020, 12, 2600 .
AMA StyleGoaitske Iepema, Joachim G. C. Deru, Jaap Bloem, Nyncke Hoekstra, Ron De Goede, Lijbert Brussaard, Nick Van Eekeren. Productivity and Topsoil Quality of Young and Old Permanent Grassland: An On-Farm Comparison. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (7):2600.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGoaitske Iepema; Joachim G. C. Deru; Jaap Bloem; Nyncke Hoekstra; Ron De Goede; Lijbert Brussaard; Nick Van Eekeren. 2020. "Productivity and Topsoil Quality of Young and Old Permanent Grassland: An On-Farm Comparison." Sustainability 12, no. 7: 2600.
The aim of the study was to assess the effect of two contrasting grazing systems, strip-grazing and kurzrasen, at a high stocking rate on herbage intake and milk production and quality on a peat meadow. Additionally, we assessed the effect of the level of crude protein (CP) fed in concentrate on milk production and N use efficiency. Even at the relatively high stocking rates, cows still achieved substantial fresh grass intake (on average >6 kg dry matter cow−1 day−1) from both systems. Despite the lower level of gross grass production under kurzrasen management, the difference in milk production between kurzrasen and strip-grazing was small and non-significant. Feeding concentrate with a lower CP level, had no negative impact on milk yield, provided that the CP content of the total ration remained above ~150 g kg−1 DM and milk urea content was above ~18 mg 100 g−1 milk. Reducing the CP content in the concentrate significantly increased the N use efficiency, and both were strongly related to the milk urea content. Therefore, optimising the use of milk urea as a management tool on dairy farms, also during the grazing season, could reduce N losses to the environment, while maintaining productivity.
Nyncke Hoekstra; Gertjan Holshof; Ronald Zom; Bert Philipsen; René Schils; Nick Van Eekeren. The Effect of Grazing System and Level of Concentrate Protein Feeding on Milk Production and N Use Efficiency of Dairy Cows on Peat Meadows. Sustainability 2020, 12, 1055 .
AMA StyleNyncke Hoekstra, Gertjan Holshof, Ronald Zom, Bert Philipsen, René Schils, Nick Van Eekeren. The Effect of Grazing System and Level of Concentrate Protein Feeding on Milk Production and N Use Efficiency of Dairy Cows on Peat Meadows. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (3):1055.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNyncke Hoekstra; Gertjan Holshof; Ronald Zom; Bert Philipsen; René Schils; Nick Van Eekeren. 2020. "The Effect of Grazing System and Level of Concentrate Protein Feeding on Milk Production and N Use Efficiency of Dairy Cows on Peat Meadows." Sustainability 12, no. 3: 1055.
Due to the increased herd size in the Netherlands, there is need to assess the performance of different grazing systems at high stocking densities. The objective of the current experiment was to assess the effect of two extreme grazing systems, kurzrasen (continuous grazing at 3–5 cm sward height) and strip-grazing at a high stocking rate, on grass production and quality, grass morphology and sward density, root development and load bearing capacity on peat soil. To this end, a two-year grazing trial with four herds of 15 cows on 2 ha each was conducted. Kurzrasen showed 18% lower herbage dry matter production on average compared to strip-grazing. The yield penalty of using a shorter regrowth period under kurzrasen was limited due to the strong response in grass morphology, resulting in a dense and lamina-rich sward. There was a small decline in root density at 10 cm soil depth, but no evidence of a lower root density at 20 cm soil depth for kurzrasen compared to strip-grazing. Sward density was higher for kurzrasen compared to strip-grazing, which had a positive impact on load bearing capacity. This is an important feature on peat soils, where load bearing capacity is often limited.
Nyncke Hoekstra; Gertjan Holshof; René Schils; Bert Philipsen; Kees Van Reenen; Karel Van Houwelingen; Nick Van Eekeren. The Effect of Kurzrasen and Strip-Grazing on Grassland Performance and Soil Quality of a Peat Meadow. Sustainability 2019, 11, 6283 .
AMA StyleNyncke Hoekstra, Gertjan Holshof, René Schils, Bert Philipsen, Kees Van Reenen, Karel Van Houwelingen, Nick Van Eekeren. The Effect of Kurzrasen and Strip-Grazing on Grassland Performance and Soil Quality of a Peat Meadow. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (22):6283.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNyncke Hoekstra; Gertjan Holshof; René Schils; Bert Philipsen; Kees Van Reenen; Karel Van Houwelingen; Nick Van Eekeren. 2019. "The Effect of Kurzrasen and Strip-Grazing on Grassland Performance and Soil Quality of a Peat Meadow." Sustainability 11, no. 22: 6283.
In many intensive dairy regions in northwest Europe, a decline in grazing is observed. In the Netherlands, the proportion of dairy cows with access to pasture is declining, as well as the time spent grazing per cow. The decline in grazing is seen as an unwanted trend by many stakeholders and is, thus, under debate amongst dairy farmers, the dairy chain, and society. Therefore, a public–private partnership was initiated to encourage grazing by providing farmers with usable means of improving their grazing systems. The partnership involved stakeholders from the dairy farming community, dairy and feed industry, agrotechnical industries, advisory services, and research. The objective of this partnership was to develop and stimulate technological innovations and management measures that increase fresh grass intake at pasture. The innovation network combined an integrated research approach with farmer working groups and broader stakeholder interactive meetings. The project started with a comprehensive grass intake framework, which was the foundation for exploration of innovations. The framework consisted of six interlinked components: soil, grass growth, grass supply, grass intake, feed supplementation, and cow behavior. In a continuous interactive cycle, strategic choices were made to focus on potentially effective innovations. The use of a public–private partnership to develop usable innovations that encourage grazing practices proven to be a good approach to develop a shared vision among stakeholders. It provided a basis to work together toward innovative practices and to disseminate the outcomes to the foreseen users. The approach succeeded in design concepts for two specific innovations, i.e., weekly grass growth predictions and daily fresh grass intake tracking. We demonstrated that meaningful grazing and fresh grass intake are possible in intensive dairy systems with high stocking rates and high levels of supplementary feeding.
René Schils; Bert Philipsen; Nyncke Hoekstra; Gertjan Holshof; Ronald Zom; Idse Hoving; Kees Van Reenen; Marcia Stienezen; Cindy Klootwijk; Joop Van Der Werf; Léon Sebek; Nick Van Eekeren; Ingrid Van Dixhoorn; Agnes Van Den Pol-Van Dasselaar. Amazing Grazing: A Public and Private Partnership to Stimulate Grazing Practices in Intensive Dairy Systems. Sustainability 2019, 11, 5868 .
AMA StyleRené Schils, Bert Philipsen, Nyncke Hoekstra, Gertjan Holshof, Ronald Zom, Idse Hoving, Kees Van Reenen, Marcia Stienezen, Cindy Klootwijk, Joop Van Der Werf, Léon Sebek, Nick Van Eekeren, Ingrid Van Dixhoorn, Agnes Van Den Pol-Van Dasselaar. Amazing Grazing: A Public and Private Partnership to Stimulate Grazing Practices in Intensive Dairy Systems. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (20):5868.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRené Schils; Bert Philipsen; Nyncke Hoekstra; Gertjan Holshof; Ronald Zom; Idse Hoving; Kees Van Reenen; Marcia Stienezen; Cindy Klootwijk; Joop Van Der Werf; Léon Sebek; Nick Van Eekeren; Ingrid Van Dixhoorn; Agnes Van Den Pol-Van Dasselaar. 2019. "Amazing Grazing: A Public and Private Partnership to Stimulate Grazing Practices in Intensive Dairy Systems." Sustainability 11, no. 20: 5868.
Brechtje R. de Haas; Nyncke J. Hoekstra; Jan R. van der Schoot; Eric J.W. Visser; Hans de Kroon; Nick van Eekeren. Combining agro-ecological functions in grass-clover mixtures. AIMS Agriculture and Food 2019, 4, 547 -567.
AMA StyleBrechtje R. de Haas, Nyncke J. Hoekstra, Jan R. van der Schoot, Eric J.W. Visser, Hans de Kroon, Nick van Eekeren. Combining agro-ecological functions in grass-clover mixtures. AIMS Agriculture and Food. 2019; 4 (3):547-567.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBrechtje R. de Haas; Nyncke J. Hoekstra; Jan R. van der Schoot; Eric J.W. Visser; Hans de Kroon; Nick van Eekeren. 2019. "Combining agro-ecological functions in grass-clover mixtures." AIMS Agriculture and Food 4, no. 3: 547-567.
Dairy farmers have increased interest in multiyear red clover–ryegrass ley pasture swards because of their high productivity and protein concentration but the adoption of such mixtures has been restricted because of poor persistency of many red clover cultivars currently used. We aimed (i) to assess dry-matter yield (DMY), persistence and nutritive value of four Mattenklee and four Ackerklee cultivars and (ii) to investigate the underlying plant morphological traits. We conducted a 4-year field experiment with red clover–ryegrass mixtures, in combination with a short-term pot experiment in which the red clover cultivars were grown both in monoculture and in mixture with Lolium perenne L. In the field, Mattenklees showed higher production (on average 42% higher) and clover content (on average 34% higher) in the third and fourth year of production compared to Ackerklees. In the fourth year, Mattenklees had slightly lower digestibility and lower protein concentration compared to Ackerklees cultivars; however, the digestible DMY and the protein yield were higher for Mattenklees. Both persistence and nutritive value of the different red clover cultivars were closely correlated with plant morphological traits. For stem length, there was close correlation (r > .77) between the results from the pot experiment and the field experiment, suggesting that stem length may be an important trait for plant breeding.
N. J. Hoekstra; G. B. De Deyn; Y. Xu; R. Prinsen; N. Van Eekeren. Red clover varieties of Mattenklee type have higher production, protein yield and persistence than Ackerklee types in grass-clover mixtures. Grass and Forage Science 2017, 73, 297 -308.
AMA StyleN. J. Hoekstra, G. B. De Deyn, Y. Xu, R. Prinsen, N. Van Eekeren. Red clover varieties of Mattenklee type have higher production, protein yield and persistence than Ackerklee types in grass-clover mixtures. Grass and Forage Science. 2017; 73 (2):297-308.
Chicago/Turabian StyleN. J. Hoekstra; G. B. De Deyn; Y. Xu; R. Prinsen; N. Van Eekeren. 2017. "Red clover varieties of Mattenklee type have higher production, protein yield and persistence than Ackerklee types in grass-clover mixtures." Grass and Forage Science 73, no. 2: 297-308.