Soil conservation policy and practice in Bavaria Robert Brandhuber, Dr. Markus Demmel Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture

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1 Soil conservation policy and practice in Bavaria Robert Brandhuber, Dr. Markus Demmel Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture Workshop ISTRO Working Group K, CTF-Europe 25./ Freising, Germany

2 IRENA indicator 29 Soil quality Figure 29.4: Average annual accumulated temperature (AAAT) computed from GHCN temperature data AAAT day deg C Bavaria: Temperate, humid climate Freising: 7.7 C Annual average temperature 815 mm Mean annual precipitation

3 Agricultural land use in Bavaria Eichstätt Freising Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 3

4 Soil texture classes of arable land in Bavaria Soil texture class ha % Sand 64,000 3 Loamy sand 464, Loam 1,356, Clay 202, Bog soil 32, Bavaria: Temperate, humid climate Freising: 7.7 C Annual average temperature 815 mm Mean annual precipitation = Fairly good conditions for agriculture

5 Soil conservation policy and practice in Bavaria In 2009, approximately 75 % of the arable land was cultivated using the plough*. Many Bavarian farmers are reluctant to use methods of conservation tillage. Therefore Bavaria is not a leader in applying conservation tillage, neither in Germany nor in Europe. Nevertheless, more and more farmers abandon the plough. *provisional data from the agricultural census Why do so many farmers rely to the plough? o Helpful: Some facts about agriculture in Bavaria 2. Soil protection policy in Germany and Bavaria o o o Cross Compliance, AEM (Agricultural Environmental measures) German Soil Protection Law Connected with soil protection: WFD (EU Water Framework Directive) Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 5

6 Some facts about agriculture in Bavaria... Half of the area of Bavaria is agricultural used land (3.22 m ha). Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 6

7 Some facts about agriculture in Bavaria... Two third of the agricultural used land is arable land (2.09 m ha). Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 7

8 Some facts about agriculture in Bavaria... About 15 % of the arable land is used for the production of renewable raw materials (2009). Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 8

9 Production of maize in Bavaria Grain maize Silage maize 2010: 500,000 ha maize (25 % of arable land)

10 Number and size structure of Übertragbarkeit von Konzepten zum farm Bodengefügeschutz holdings in Germany BMELV: Ausgewählte Daten und Fakten der Agrarwirtschaft 2010 Bavaria has the highest number of farms within all German states (113,396 holdings in 2009). A lot of them are small farms. Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 10

11 Land area of farms by size class Übertragbarkeit von Konzepten zum Bodengefügeschutz BMELV: Ausgewählte Daten und Fakten der Agrarwirtschaft 2010 In Bavaria about half of the agricultural used land is farmed by holdings with a size of more than 50 hectares. Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 11

12 Some facts about agriculture in Bavaria... Number and size classes of farm holdings in Germany Übertragbarkeit von Konzepten zum Bodengefügeschutz BMELV: Ausgewählte Daten und Fakten der Agrarwirtschaft 2010 <<<<<<<<<<<<<Decrease<<<<<<<<<<<< >Increase> Currently, only the number of farms with more than 50 ha is growing. Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 12

13 Some facts about agriculture in Bavaria... Slightly more than half of the holdings are part-time holdings. Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 13

14 Some facts about agriculture in Bavaria... About half of the farmland is leased land. Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 14

15 Number of farm holdings with livestock (milk cows, pigs, breeding sows, laying hens, turkeys) Übertragbarkeit von Konzepten zum Bodengefügeschutz BMELV: Ausgewählte Daten und Fakten der Agrarwirtschaft 2010 Many Bavarian farmers keep livestock (especially cows). Livestock farms are often small holdings. Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 15

16 Some facts about agriculture in Bavaria... milk pigs cattle Value added in Bavarian agriculture is highly based on animal products. Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 16

17 Some facts about agriculture in Bavaria... A high proportion of processed products are exported (esp. cheese). Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 17

18 Soil conservation policy and practice in Bavaria Good conditions for agriculture high yields small farms much livestock 1. Why do so many farmers rely to the plough? The advantage of saving labour is not playing a mayor role in small family farm holdings. The high proportion of maize in the crop rotation causes pest risk to be solved with the European corn borer and with Fusarium head blight disease (DON in grain). Specialists in livestock production rely on proven solutions in crop production. Water-saving cultivation methods were previously not required (in most regions of Bavaria). Where these conditions do not apply, there are more farmers performing conservation tillage, e.g. in some northern Bavarian regions. Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 18

19 Soil conservation policy and practice in Bavaria 2. Soil protection policy in Germany and Bavaria o o o Cross Compliance, AEM (Agricultural Environmental Measures) German Soil Protection Law Connected with soil protection: WFD (EU Water Framework Directive) Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 19

20 Soil conservation policy and practice in Bavaria 2. Soil protection policy in Germany and Bavaria o Cross Compliance Erosion control in the context of Cross Compliance: In 2010, all arable land was divided in erosion hazard classes. On erosion-prone areas the use of the plough is subject to conditions, in particular to the cultivation of cover crops before row crops such as maize and sugar beet. Erosion hazard classes in the Freising distrikt: Blue: 0 Orange: 1 Red: 2 Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 20

21 Soil conservation policy and practice in Bavaria 2. Soil protection policy in Germany and Bavaria o AEM (Agricultural Environmental Measures) Erosion control in the context of AEM (in Bavaria: KULAP): The cultivation of cover crops and the seed of row crops in cover crop mulch is funded with 80 / ha (cover crops) or 100 / ha (cover crops + seed in cover crop mulch). In 2010 approximately 90,000 ha were funded (Co-financing of Bavaria and the EU). In addition, there are other program areas that contribute to soil protection (e.g. green strips, conversion of arable to grassland). Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 21 Mustard (Sinapis)- Autumn Winter Spring

22 Soil conservation policy and practice in Bavaria 2. Soil protection policy in Germany and Bavaria o German Soil Protection Law Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) is that Tillage, taking into account the weather, has to be site-adapted, The soil structure is maintained or improved, Soil compaction and soil erosion will be avoided, The biological activity of the soil is maintained or promoted Soil humus content is obtained. However, no prohibitions. Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 22

23 Soil conservation policy and practice in Bavaria 2. Soil protection policy in Germany and Bavaria o EU WFD Intensive consulting and extension to reduce entry of P in surface waters, caused by erosion: Water consultants were hired for the agricultural state extension service. They advise farmers in view of soil conservation measures. P-Inputs by erosion Priority areas (phosphorus) Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 23

24 Soil conservation policy and practice in Bavaria: Summary The structure of agriculture in Bavaria, with many small farms and intensive livestock farming, is the main reason that conservation tillage methods disseminate slowly. CC and AEM especially promote the cultivation of cover crops. Conservation tillage methods are favoured (but not mandatory) by the CC requirements for erosion control. The Bavarian State Ministry of Agriculture funds research projects to adapt and develop innovative conservation tillage methods in Bavaria (adoption to global change see following presentation). Thank you for your attention! Brandhuber, Demmel, May 2011, 24