Description
This practice involves incorporating grassland - such as grass, clover, or species mixtures - into crop rotations. When properly managed, grassland is highly competitive with most arable weed species, and regular mowing helps prevent weed seed set.
Advantages
Grass and grass-clover mixtures effectively suppress annual arable weeds, including problematic species such as wild oat.
Reduced pesticide use benefits farmers economically and environmentally. Grassland can also provide additional ecosystem services—such as habitat for pollinators and recreational value—as well as fodder for livestock farms.
While the concept is simple and does not require highly specialized skills, farmers unfamiliar with grassland management may benefit from targeted advice and knowledge exchange to ensure successful implementation.
Grassland provides a suitable habitat and forage base for various species, including birds, invertebrates (especially pollinators), and small mammals, supporting on-farm biodiversity.
Drawbacks
The inclusion of grassland in rotation may lead to the proliferation of perennial grasses as weeds in subsequent crops.
Farms without livestock may face additional investment needs to utilize or manage grassland effectively.
Farmers choosing to grow grassland for seed production will need specific equipment and infrastructure, which may not be readily available.
Introducing non-native species into grass crop mixtures can pose a risk of invasive species proliferation, potentially disrupting local ecosystems.
Technical Aspects
Technical readiness
Grassland crops and the required equipment are widely available to farmers across Europe and globally.
Ease and efficiency of implementation
Efficient weed suppression depends on successful establishment and proper management of the grassland, including timely mowing. Not all grass and clover species are equally competitive, so soil properties and local climatic conditions—such as winter severity—must be carefully considered.
Need for training and education
Additional training or demonstration activities may be necessary to guide farmers in selecting appropriate crop mixtures, especially when cultivating grassland for seed production.
Need for investments
Farms without livestock may lack the necessary equipment and be less inclined to include grassland in rotation. In such cases, cultivating grassland for seed production could be a more profitable option, but it requires additional investment in equipment for seed harvesting and processing. Depending on the type and scale of production, equipment costs can range from €600,000 to €1,000,000 if no cooperative sharing is in place.
Policy Recommendations
Promoting the inclusion of grassland in crop rotations can be supported through various instruments, such as compensation for income loss and subsidies for the purchase of necessary equipment.
Demonstration trials, advisory services, and farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange should also be encouraged. Additionally, promoting cooperation among farmers—for example, by sharing infrastructure and machinery—can reduce costs and lower the barriers to adoption, especially for seed production ventures.