Effect van mobiele begrazing door koeien en kippen op kruidenrijk grasland op zandgrond

Met Natuur Mee, founded by Sanne Beld, practices, develops and promotes a regenerative (resilient) agricultural method inspired by experiences abroad (Joel Salatin, Allan Savory, etc.). Together with its partners and volunteers, Met Natuur Mee wants to develop a pioneering location for resilient agriculture, offer inspiration to young farmers, share knowledge, conduct research, but above all offer a nutritious harvest that reconnects people with the landscape. In this study, Wageningen scientists are looking for an answer to the question: What is the effect of mobile grazing management with cows and chickens on herb-rich grassland on dry sandy soil? What does this do above and below the ground in terms of soil life, moisture balance and the diversity of the vegetation? We do this by mapping the effects of the management on the current land that Met Natuur Mee leases from Staatsbosbeheer near Haaksbergerveen. In 2019 and 2020, the management of the pasture consisted of extensive grazing by cattle and shortterm (1 day) intensive grazing by broilers. The management was not yet optimal, due to a shortage in cows. The effect of this form of intense grazing by chickens on the vegetation and the soil is still (relatively) unknown. That is why a science shop project was carried out to investigate the effect of grazing on the vegetation, soil life (especially worms) and the chemical composition of the soil. A nearby meadow has been used as a control plot that has been extensively managed for many years (grazing by a limited number of oxes, combuned with mowing once a year). At the time of sampling, the field was still very dry after a long dry period in the spring and summer of 2020. This had an impact on the soil life and its inventory, very few earthworms and other macro soil life were found. The differences between the treatments were also minor, although the 2019 chicken grazing areas appeared to be more species-rich. The vegetation also shows few differences, even though there appears to be a wet dry gradient that coincides with the elevation of the terrain. In fact, only general grassland species occur in the field and it does not yet meet the wish for a flowery grassland. To achieve this, seed will have to be supplied from elsewhere, for example through grass clippings from a species-rich plot. The chemical analysis show that it is a considerably nutrient-poor area and in any case, poorer than a “normal” farm pasture. The acidity of the soil is low, which was already noted on the basis of the species composition; the soil is on the surface acidified. That is why liming is recommended. The vegetation was also felting, which is unfavourable for a species diverse grassland. A slightly more intensive grazing can prevent this, which will be implemented in 2021. The grazing period by the chickens was however short and the grazing would have to run longer to be able to actually expect effects.