Possibilities for the Development of Mixed Crop-Beef Farming in the Kościan Region Based on Natural Fodder Resources. Results from the MEA-Scope Case Study in Poland

Ongoing dominance of cereals in cropping patterns in the Kościan region of Poland creates threats to sustainable development because it may induce ecological problems. To reduce environmental pressure caused by simplified agricultural land use and to improve the management of grasslands, the possibility of developing mixed crop-beef farming as an alternative to arable farming is considered. Scenario models were developed for different farming types. The analysis focused on a comparison of economic performance, nitrogen balance and the evolution of soil carbon (C) stock between different models. The general conclusion was that beef-based scenarios for mixed farming were economically viable. They allowed for diversification of farm activities and supported the improvement of environmental performance in terms of better cropping patterns and soil C sequestration. However, an undesirable effect involved is a higher nitrogen (N) emission into the atmosphere due to N losses from manure before its application to a field.