On the Economics of Organic Grassland and Alternative Bio-energy Systems – A Risk Modelling Approach

Summary in the original language of the document

Organic farming enterprises manage their grasslands mostly extensively, often participating in nature preservation schemes. On extensive or semi-natural grassland sites, the profitability of grassland utilisation with customary processing procedures like dairy or suckler cow farming is often realized insufficiently, however. As the global demand for sustainable energy supplies increases, the newly developed IFBB-technique (Integrated Generation of Solid Fuel and Biogas from Biomass) could exhibit an alternative grassland utilisation by using plant cover from extensive grasslands for the generation of renewable energies whilst preserving valuable grassland habitats, without competing against land for food production. A survey amongst farmers in the low mountain range of Vogelsberg, Germany, identified general frameworks of extensive grassland management as well as incentives and objections for an implementation of the IFBB technology at single farm level. Calculations of processing values of grassland in different procedures of animal husbandry, landscape maintenance and bio-energy production indicate that the utilisation of extensively managed grassland in alternative bio-energy systems could exhibit the most favourable land use option for organic semi-natural grassland management. These results are verified by a risk modelling approach.