Browsing by Subject "Digital Technologies"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1

Inwertsetzung des Grünlands durch weiterentwickelte Wertschöpfungsketten und innovative digitale Konzepte
(2024) Kiefer, Anna; Bahrs, Enno
The conservation and use of permanent grassland involves a multitude of socially relevant ecosystem services (ESS), including products, resources, and the environment. Nevertheless, the economic value of grassland is frequently less than that of arable land. This is due to a number of factors, including lower yields, lower market prices, more extensive forms of use, and less flexibility. New strategies are therefore required to enhance the value of grassland and to encourage its protection, restoration, and sustainable use. The objective of this study is to develop novel concepts for the enhancement of grassland value and to assess their economic viability. This study examines the potential for enhancing the added value of grassland-based production systems, including the integration of exemplary innovative digital concepts, to ensure the sustainable agricultural use of grassland. Furthermore, it is pertinent to inquire whether the integration of digital technologies in grassland management can provide economic incentives for farms to transition towards pasture-based milk and beef production. A variety of scenarios were developed and analyzed, comprising real and model farms in four regions of Germany (the southern Black Forest, Brandenburg, the Wesermarsch district, and southern Lower Saxony). The scenarios presented encompass a comprehensive range of production strategies and measures. Methodologically, cost-benefit analyses (CBA) were conducted, which were then supplemented by sensitivity analyses. The CBA was selected as the most appropriate methodology for this study because it addresses not only purely cash-effective measures, but also the overall impact on society, including external effects. The optimization of value chains for the production of pasture-based products represents a central objective in this study, with the aim of valorizing grassland. Chapter 2 thus analyzes and further develops the entire value chain of organic pasture-based beef. The value chain encompasses elements of nature conservation-oriented grassland management, regional cattle farming with partially endangered cattle breeds, and meat marketing at the store counter via food retailers. The findings of Chapter 2 are integrated into Chapter 3, which assesses the extent to which cooperative and synergistic linkages between mountainous grassland farmers and valley arable farmers are economically and ecologically advantageous in comparison to existed value chains. Furthermore, it is determined whether they contribute to the promotion of the circular economy and nature conservation. The sustainable practices described in Chapters 2 and 3 can be further strengthened by the digital transformation currently taking place in agriculture. Chapter 4 therefore examines the opportunities and risks of exemplary digitalization on full-time and part-time farms. The results are incorporated into Chapter 5, which analyzes the economic effects of using three innovative technologies (a herbometer/grasshopper (Rising Plate Meter), a UAV with an RGB camera and Structure from Motion (SfM) process, and an UAV with a LiDAR sensor) for precise yield estimation in grassland. The optimal utilization of resources is similarly of great importance for the health of animals. This can be supported by digital animal health monitoring. Chapter 6 then proceeds to examine the extent to which the use of sensors offers farmers the opportunity to detect potential health problems in their animals, such as lameness, at an early stage. This, it is argued, will both reduce treatment costs and increase livestock yields. In the context of pasture management, the efficient use of resources implies an adjustment of livestock density in accordance with the availability and quality of feed. This is typically achieved by intricate and labor-intensive fencing and rotational management, wherein the animals are consistently provided with fresh, energy-rich grass. The virtual fencing system (VF system) enables a reduction in the workload by simplifying the allocation of areas. Chapter 7 presents an economic analysis of the application of this new digital technology in order to identify and evaluate the key influencing factors that can facilitate or impede the introduction of VF systems in different grazing systems. The present work demonstrates that the socially relevant, higher economic and ecological valorization of grassland can be achieved through a combination of sensible resource allocation within the framework of cooperation in agriculture, the use of digital technologies, and constructive marketing to consumers. This enhances the appeal of grassland management for the relevant stakeholders. Nevertheless, the current state of the art indicates that the use of digital technologies is more likely to provide an incentive to expand existing pasture-based production systems than to switch from stable to pasture farming. Consequently, the proportion of feed obtained from pasture represents a pivotal factor in the profitability of investing in such technologies. The findings indicate that the implementation of digital technologies necessitates a reorientation of pasture management practices. Nevertheless, the actual economic benefit of digital technologies is challenging to quantify in practice, particularly when different technologies are employed in conjunction. It is important to note that the evaluation and use of different types of agricultural and environmental data from non-uniform sources with divergent formats and time intervals must be considered. The findings of the present study indicate that the current actual contributions of grassland to society extend far beyond the direct economic returns. The integration of ESS into a holistic grassland valuation concept demonstrates that grassland plays an important role that is often underestimated in cash-only approaches. The findings of the study also indicate that although grassland use is crucial for biodiversity conservation, it frequently gives rise to conflicts between agriculture and nature conservation in practice. Such conflicts can be mitigated by implementing the VF system, which enables the specific protection of areas vulnerable to nature conservation, such as rare plant species susceptible to trampling or bird nests. The creation of incentive programs and support systems for sustainable grassland management, the promotion of additional research and innovation in this area, and the amendment of the legal framework for the implementation of the concepts proposed in this study at the national level can be cited as key recommendations for action based on the individual research results. Moreover, there is a continued necessity for the development and implementation of economic valuation methodologies to more comprehensively capture the monetary and non-monetary values of grassland and its ESS than has been previously possible. The ongoing digitalization of agriculture offers the potential for the collection and analysis of data that are important for the economic valuation of ESS to be conducted in a more efficient manner. It is similarly vital to facilitate the transfer of knowledge between research institutions, farmers, politicians, authorities, and other stakeholders. This can be achieved by disseminating best practices and innovations in the field of grassland management. In this context, it is evident that an adaptation of the legal framework in Germany is necessary to enable a broader application of digital technologies in practice. This adaptation should encompass data protection guidelines, air traffic regulations for UAV flights, and the adaptation of the Animal Welfare Act for VF systems. To this end, the establishment of a central point of contact (e.g., in the form of an authority or an online platform) for approvals would be advisable in order to enhance the transparency, simplicity, and efficiency of the process of obtaining consent for the use of digital technologies (e.g., UAV recordings on specific areas or VF systems on farms). The valorization of grassland should not be solely dependent on public funds, which enhance the competitiveness of sustainable products and services. It is also essential to consider the role of consumers, as exemplified by the case of organic farming products. Furthermore, the establishment of monitoring and evaluation systems is crucial for the harmonization of support measures and market prices.