In cooperation with SalzburgMilch, the Salzburg Chamber of Agriculture, the Lungau Biosphere Park and a network of 22 organic dairy farms from the Lungau region, the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein participated in this project in the form of a case study.
The Lungau project region was chosen for its very extensive dairy farming practices. The average altitude of the farms is 1,148 meters above sea level, with an average annual temperature of 5.2°C and an average annual precipitation of 720 mm. Permanent grassland is the dominant land use. Some farmers in privileged locations also cultivate cereals (barley and triticale). The average stocking density on the farms is 1.02 livestock units (LU) per hectare, of which approximately 92% are cattle. The average ration composition is also very extensive, with a concentrate feed content of around 5%.
The challenge lies in establishing a closed-loop system of local production under the harsh alpine conditions. The objectives of this case study are therefore to close nutrient cycles as completely as possible and to reduce emissions on the farms. Furthermore, emission-reducing feeding strategies will be developed based on measurements of gaseous emissions in respiration chambers.
For more information about the project and the case study, see: https://www.circularagronomics.eu/
