Similar to the climatic conditions and the topography, the management of Austrian grassland is also very heterogeneous and ranges from intensive multi-cut meadows to extensive pastures, single-cut meadows, alpine pastures and mountain meadows.
According to the concept of site-adapted grassland management, the potential intensity of management depends significantly on the location. An analysis of dry matter and energy yields as a function of the soil climate rating demonstrates the substantial influence of location on yield and forage quality. For example, on very good permanent grassland sites, a dry matter yield of around 10 tons per hectare can be expected, whereas this value is halved on poorer sites. Forage quality, in terms of energy, digestibility, and crude protein content, is also significantly higher in favorable locations than in disadvantaged areas.
Figure 1: Farmyard manure contains valuable nutrients and ensures optimal growth
This high variability in yield and forage quality is accompanied by very different nutrient uptake and must therefore be taken into account when fertilizing. A large proportion of Austrian grassland is fertilized with so-called farmyard manures, including manure, liquid manure, slurry, and compost. In the interest of site-adapted management, not only are legal requirements for fertilization observed, but production conditions such as location, climate, and plant composition are also highly considered.
The plant composition is also significantly influenced by location, management intensity, and fertilization. Managed grassland, meaning grassland areas used three or more times a year, generally has a higher proportion of grasses and a lower proportion of herbs. Frequent and early use, aimed at achieving high-quality forage, leads over time to a reduction in grassland species that rely on natural reseeding. For this reason, high-quality seed containing the desired companion plants must be sown on these areas from time to time. These areas represent the central production basis for livestock farms producing high-quality milk and meat products. Extensive grassland areas, with up to two uses per year, are among the most biodiverse habitats in Austria and are particularly worthy of protection. However, due to continuous intensification or abandonment in challenging locations, these areas are increasingly under pressure. Special funding measures and compensation payments, which are being developed in cooperation with the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, are intended to counteract these trends.
Figure 2: Multi-cut commercial grassland (left) provides high forage yields of the best quality; extensively managed grassland (right) is among the most valuable biodiversity areas
Unlike other site characteristics, grassland places high demands on water supply and is considered a water-intensive crop. Increasingly frequent droughts severely restrict the productivity of grassland stands. Numerous agronomic trials at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein are dedicated to this issue and aim to ensure yields, forage quality, and floristic diversity, and thus an attractive cultural landscape, even under future climate conditions.
