The agricultural sector has a high potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. One promising measure is to promote the longevity of dairy cows, as the resulting reduction in replacement heifers reduces the overall GHG emissions of the dairy sector.
In this study, we analysed the effects of a voluntary policy programme to promote the longevity of dairy cows in Switzerland. We forecasted the effects on agricultural production (milk and meat) and GHG emissions for the Swiss agricultural sector. This voluntary direct programme was implemented by the Swiss government in 2024.
We used an interdisciplinary method and a data approach that combined several data sources and models. We implemented herdbook data on changes in milk yield and veterinary costs with an increasing number of lactations in a bio-economic farm optimisation approach. The use of an agent-based modelling framework allows the consideration of heterogeneous farm responses to the voluntary direct payment programme, which incentivises an increase in productive life of dairy cows. The results of the agent-based model were then implemented in the GHG model SAGE. Four policy scenarios were simulated. They considered two levels of direct payments (low and high) for the voluntary longevity programme and two fattening strategies for those calves no longer needed for cow replacement (4- and 10-month calf fattening). The results of the longevity scenarios were compared with a reference scenario without these direct payments.
Our results show a policy scenario with a high level of direct payments and a 4-month calf fattening strategy has the highest GHG emission reduction potential in Swiss agriculture
(−1.71 % of total agricultural GHG emissions and 998 CHF/t CO2 equivalent). However, a lower level of direct payments combined with a 4-month calf fattening strategy is more cost-effective with regard to GHG emission reduction (−1.69 % of total agricultural GHG emissions and 471.5 CHF/t CO2 equivalent). The other scenarios show lower GHG reduction potential and lower cost effectiveness. We find the voluntary direct payment programme has high wind-fall effects because the payments are not linked to changes in longevity but are distributed as long as the average number of lactations of a cow herd is three or more.
This study is the first to analyse a voluntary policy programme that incentivises farmers to extend the productive life of their dairy cows. Furthermore, both environmental and economic impacts are estimated with a novel mixed modelling approach.
Quality vegetable seed has the potential to significantly impact nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa, as the region has the world's lowest per capita production and consumption of vegetables. Moreover, seed companies might have an important role to play, as in Asia, vegetable production and consumption increased rapidly following the expansion of the private seed sector. However, market-driven seed sector development remains contentious, with some celebrating technological advancements and others raising concerns.
This paper contributes to seed systems literature by focusing on the role of vegetable crops and diversity within the private sector. It explores the heterogeneous character of the private sector by studying how different business models of leading vegetable seed companies jointly contribute to sector development in sub-Saharan Africa.
Eighteen in-depth interviews were conducted with leading vegetable seed companies operating in the region. Qualitative tools were selected to translate individual company data into general findings; while thematic analysis was used to pinpoint a private sector perspective and ideal-type analysis was used to construct business model typologies.
The results show that seed companies collectively view seed sector development as a linear trajectory involving public and private investments to enable farmers to adopt increasingly advanced seed types, especially hybrids. In this trajectory, different companies take on different roles based on specialization in seed system functions: variety development, seed production, seed dissemination, and seed use. The coexistence of and collaboration between different (private) actors in the vegetable seed sector contribute to plurality and interaction in line with an integrated approach to seed sector development. However, it is not a static condition as company roles evolve with expanding business models in terms of seed system functions and market segments.
A general objective of (national) seed policies is to increase farmers' access and choice in terms of quality seed of improved varieties. Seed sector development interventions can enhance inclusivity by focusing on viable and innovative business models for niche markets in terms of farming systems and crop types.
Environmental policies are increasingly relying on digitalization to improve efficiency. However, there is still a lack of knowledge on farmers' attitudes toward digitally-based environmental policies.
This paper contributes to the literature by providing quantitative insights on farmers' attitudes in such contexts, focusing on the use of digital technologies for the implementation of results-based agri-environmental policy.
The analysis focuses on the case study of the implementation of innovative, digitally- and results-based agri-environment and climate schemes in two Mediterranean agri-systems: Mediterranean oak savannah (dehesa) and sloping olive groves (SOG). The assessment relies on a latent class analysis using survey data from a large sample of southern Spanish farmers. In addition, a Step-3 model was used to identify determinants of farmers' class membership.
The results show a high degree of heterogeneity in farmers' attitudes, with three different classes of farmers identified: proactive, skeptical, and reluctant farmers (membership probability of 0.62, 0.25, and 0.13, respectively), basically showing positive, mixed, and negative attitudes toward using digital technologies in environmental policies. Class belonging is determined by farm and farmer characteristics (especially the farm's main agri-system, family labor use, and farmer's education level and age), farmer attitudes (toward environmental results and their certification), and specific agri-system features (economic dependence).
The results are useful for better tailoring digitally-based agri-environmental policies; the diverse costs and benefits that different farmers can expect from the introduction of digital technologies in policy implementation and monitoring should be carefully considered.
In Ireland, a national Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme has been effective in reducing national prevalence and has recently been approved by the European Commission. In anticipation of achieving freedom, there is an ongoing discussion regarding appropriate strategies post-eradication to monitor for continued freedom from Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) infection of the national cattle sector.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the trade-off between the performance of different testing protocols and their associated costs in monitoring BVDV post-eradication in the national cattle sector. By assessing various testing strategies, including bulk tank milk (BTM) testing, first lactation check tests (FLCT), abattoir tests, and youngstock check test (YSCT), the aim is to provide informed input for implementing a long-term sustainable monitoring strategy.
In this study, we apply alternative testing protocols to a modelled cattle population in County Kerry, a region with a bovine population considered to be representative of the entire Irish population. The analysis incorporates combinations of Bulk Tank Milk (BTM) testing First Lactation Check tests (FLCT), abattoir tests, and Young Stock Check Testing (YSCT). The YSCT, which focuses on high-risk herds by collecting blood samples from young, homebred animals between nine and 18 months of age, was a key component of the analysis.
All tested protocols are capable of timely detection of a BVDV outbreak, with detection times of less than one year. Our results highlight the impact of reducing herd coverage by YSCT on post-eradication surveillance for BVDV freedom. By evaluating the trade-off between increased costs and shortened time to detection, this study provides valuable insights for selecting an appropriate monitoring policy in post-eradication programmes.
The findings of this study offer guidance on balancing costs and detection efficiency in monitoring BVDV post-eradication. Understanding the implications of different testing strategies can aid policymakers in making informed decisions to ensure the continued freedom from BVDV in the national cattle sector. All tested protocols are capable of detecting a BVDV outbreak in a timely manner, with detection times of less than one year. However, our results quantify the impact reducing herd coverage by YSCT within a possible post-eradication surveillance programme for BVDV freedom. We evaluate how more herds covered by young stock sampling shorten the time to detection, but at an increased cost. The trade-off between increase in costs per shortened time to detection provides guidance to choose an adequate policy to implement monitoring of disease freedom in national post-eradication programmes.
Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing cropping systems in a given context is a key first step before designing new, more sustainable cropping systems. The concept of multifunctionality can be a useful tool for cropping system assessment. Whether and how cropping systems and specific management practices might modulate agroecosystem multifunctionality remains unknown, as do the potential trade-offs and synergies among functions.
This study aimed to (i) assess the multifunctionality of annual cropping systems by estimating their agronomic, ecological and socio-economic performances; (ii) identify trade-offs and synergies among functions; (iii) highlight management practices that can be mobilized to foster synergies between agricultural production and other functions.
We measured 14 primary variables, used as proxies for seven functions, in 20 conventional and 20 organic winter cereal fields, in northwestern France. We considered three management practice description levels: (i) farming system (i.e. organic vs. conventional), (ii) combination of management practices that defines a cropping system, and (iii) individual management practices.
We found a strong trade-off between functions related to ecological performance and agronomic, socio-economic performances, especially between biodiversity conservation and food and feed production. Organic systems tended to minimize this trade-off. Our study also revealed contrasts in levels of functions despite similar multifunctionality value across cropping systems. The number of field interventions and nitrogen inputs were the main drivers of cropping system multifunctionality and its underlying functions. The results indicate that specific management practices, such as reducing within-field interventions and nitrogen fertilization amount, could be integrated even in conventional cropping systems to improve multifunctionality. More generally, our work opens the door to further studies on how agricultural management fosters the simultaneous provision of multiple functions including socio-economic ones.
Besides multifunctionality assessment of cropping systems, our study emphasizes the need to further explore how management practices shape the provision of multiple functions and their potential trade-offs. This knowledge is crucial to develop effective strategies for the design of sustainable cropping systems.
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