This is not sustainable in the long term with limited amounts of manure, as is common in organic farming. The deliberate creation of extensively managed meadows can offer a solution. Species-rich meadows, in particular, show a significantly lower yield decline during dry periods than intensively managed meadows with fewer species. The forage from such extensive meadows can also be readily incorporated into the rations of young and dry animals.

To ensure the long-term preservation of the meadow's character and high biodiversity, the first cut should not take place before the end of June. Another essential aspect of staggered grassland management is the improvement of intensively managed meadows. This is to be achieved both through optimized fertilization and by improving the quality of the grass stands. Intensively managed grassland areas with a healthy grass structure provide high-quality forage for ruminants and ensure the economic viability of farms.

The varying intensities of use are intended to create a mosaic of diverse vegetation on the farm, providing not only different forage qualities but also added value for biodiversity. This tiered grassland management aims to balance intensive and extensive use, enabling both.

Just listen or watch:

In this podcast episode, Dr. Andreas Steinwidder talks with Dr. Walter Starz about the challenges, opportunities and possibilities of the tiered use of grassland: