Global warming implies drought periods and a rise in temperatures, both of which will influence the growth of grass in pastures and meadows and its biochemical composition, as well as the fodder yield. In this regard, it becomes relevant to estimate the yield to achieve in order to manage pastures and meadows more efficiently. The group pasture management seeks to produce data about the grass growth and to compare it between the three countries (FR, DE, CH) and to analyse the fodder quality depending on harvest season and climatic conditions. With this data, the group aims to formulate a series of recommendations in pasture management according to drought, biodiversity and climate-friendly management.

Figure 2: Measurement of grass growth using a herbometer and determination of nutrient composition using NIRS. © AGRIDEA

It will begin with the sharing of all knowledge and protocols about the study of grass growth before choosing a methodology to measure it on different pasture systems. The measures will be done on 5 Alsatian, 5 German and 3 Swiss farms. Fodder samples will be analysed according to a coordinated method (laboratories, mobile NIRS refractometer (Near Infrared Spectrometry), etc.). The goal is to establish the link between pasture management, grass growth and fodder quality. The latter will be determined thanks to the milk spectral data in terms of energy efficiency.