Project

Contact: PD Dr. rer. nat. habil. Björn Kuhla

Duration: 2026-2031

Funding: Federal Office for Agriculture and Food

Abstract:

The overarching aim is to establish a long-term practical research network on agroforestry systems. The network brings together around 20 organic farms, research institutions and consultancy firms, which ensure the investigation and dissemination of practical, resilience-enhancing measures for organic farming through agroforestry systems. The work focuses on enhancing the resilience of plant production systems, grazing systems and organic farming through agroforestry systems. The work at the FBN aims to answer two key questions: (1) Can the resilience of grazing systems be improved by reducing heat stress in grazing cattle and their urine-related nitrogen emissions in established agroforestry systems, whilst simultaneously increasing grassland yield and quality? (2) Can the resilience of the feed supply for livestock be achieved by providing foliage from tree and hedge species, and what is the feed value of the individual foliage types for small and large ruminants? To this end, climate, animal, grassland and soil-related measurements are carried out annually on cattle-grazing farms with established silvopastoral systems in areas adjacent to woody vegetation, on open land and at other geographical landmarks. Based on the findings, we hope to provide an improved tool for the early detection of heat stress in grazing animals, advice on improving the quality of grassland yields, and recommendations for pasture management aimed at avoiding hotspots for nitrogen inputs. Furthermore, evidence-based scaling and design proposals for silvopastoral systems and recommendations on the feeding of deciduous foliage will be put forward.