Performance of mixed and agroforestry systems

Summary

Introduction: With increasing pressure on agriculture to reduce its environmental impacts, it has been hypothesised that mixed farming and agro-forestry systems (MiFAS), either at a farm or landscape scale, could be an option to mitigate issues of nutrient excess, the import of synthetic fertilisers or feed production. Traditionally, mixed farming was practised to provide nutrients to crops through rotation breaks and to feed livestock, however the use of synthetic fertilisers and economies of scale has led to increased specialisation.
It has been proposed that the re-integration of cropping and livestock could close nutrient cycles and reduce imports of external feed or fertiliser nutrients, improve soil quality through returns of organic matter, as well as potential socio-economic benefits; although difficulties may occur, such as a loss of more profitable crops. A further potential climate change mitigation measure is the use of agroforestry within specialised agricultural systems to provide shading, soil stabilisation, drought resistant browse material for direct grazing or cutting, as well as directly offsetting GHG emissions through sequestration of carbon through biomass and or soil organic carbon (SOC). Task 5.1 therefore aimed to assess farm survey data (Task 2.3a) from existing MiFAS (Mixed and Agroforestry Systems), to assess their environmental and economic performance, as well as link to Task 5.2 to include coverage of potential labour issues.