Towards more biodiverse agricultural landscapes : How to make species-rich grassland a desirable and feasible option for dairy farmers

Summary

Species-rich grasslands are promoted by public and private actors for reasons of biodiversity, landscape amenity and animal health. There is little understanding of the considerations of farmers when they opt for or against species-rich grasslands. We held a workshop with 20 farmers and conducted in-depth interviews with 15 livestock farmers in Alblasserwaard - Vijfheerenlanden, a peat meadow landscape in the West of the Netherlands. In these discussions we made an inventory of opportunities and barriers that the farmers experience in terms of willingness, ability and support from society. In our analysis we distinguished four farming styles accommodating species-rich grasslands, which differ in the way willingness, ability and support from society are experienced by the farmers. Based on these findings, we make generic and farming style-specific recommendations for public policy and parties in the supply chain for effectively promoting species-rich grasslands among livestock farmers. We propose that a diverse public-private policy mix is essential to reach as many farmers as possible, acknowledging their heterogeneity and addressing their multiple needs.