A trial based on innovative agro-ecological practices
In order to study this, a long-term trial is being set up for organic production in Libramont, with the aim of testing three levels of articulation between crops and livestock. This translates to a 0%, 30% or 70% proportion of permanent meadow in the plot. Ruminants stem from a terminal cross-breeding, and are bred and fattened in systems with 30% and 70% meadows, based on products that come from the meadows themselves and by-products/residues from the crop system. In the crop system, a crop rotation has been defined to maximise the production of food for human consumption. Agro-ecological levers have been implemented (intercropping, less work on the soil, mobilisation of animals that are capable of valorising coarse fodder, varietal choices, etc.) to minimise the use of inputs in particular.
What can we expect?
An initial estimate of expected performances was calculated using, in particular, the DECiDE tool. It appears that, excluding the storage and destocking of carbon in soils, greenhouse-gas emissions would be 3 kilos to 50 kilos of CO2 equivalents per kilo of protein produced, depending on the system in question. Currently, however, for a standard suckling system, it is estimated that greenhouse-gas emissions are greater than 100 kilos of CO2 equivalents per kilo of protein produced.
This assessment serves as a guide. However, it must be tested against the situation on the ground, which could prove to be different (difficulties in planting, or even downgrading of, crops, etc.). Thanks to the trials that have been set in motion, we will know much more about the real-world performance and resilience of the various systems in a few years, as well as the appeal of the benefits made possible by arranging livestock and crop set-ups in these ways.
A little more
The trial that has been established also aims to assist in the transition towards more sustainable systems. It makes it possible to test innovative agricultural practices, and encourages reflection on the obstacles facing the transition to multi-performance systems.
