GEEBovMit - LA 3.4 - GHG-reducing pastures

Projects / Scientific Research

The main objective of GEEBovMit LA 3.4 is to demonstrate that the composition and proportion of botanical genera (legumes/grasses) present in pastures influences the Carbon Balance (CB) and to define which persistent and highly productive grassland mixtures will improve this balance.

The GEEMovMit Project (PRR-C05-i03-I-000027) aims to study feeding strategies for the different stages of the beef cattle production cycle in order to reduce the environmental impact of production systems by integrating the factors that affect the carbon balance (CB) of beef cattle production systems (soil-plant-animal). The actions to be carried out can be divided into three main groups of actions which include: grazing and extensive grazing, the production of fodder as a food supplement and the use of organic additives in the diets of fattening steers to reduce methane (CH4) emissions. To this end, the project was divided into 2 lines of action: Line of Action 3.1 - Natural additives for steers and Line of Action 3.4 - GHG-reducing pastures.

The aim of Action Line 3.4 is to install different grassland mixtures (in the legume/grass ratio), created according to the characteristics of each site, which will make it possible to obtain data on biomass production, stocking rates, persistence of plant species, evolution of organic matter levels and the retention and emission of GHGs (CO2, CH4, N2O) in the soil.

General Information

Technical Specifications

Designation

GEEBovMit LA 3.4 - Mitigation of GHG emissions in beef cattle production – pastures, fodder and natural additives (Action Line 3.4)

Project Code

PRR-C05-i03-I-000027-LA3.4

Main objective

To reduce GHG emissions from livestock farming and agricultural practices;
To increase carbon sequestration in soils.

Region of intervention

NUTS II: Alentejo
NUTS III: Lezíria do Tejo

Beneficiary entities

Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, I.P. - Entidade Coordenadora
Associação dos Criadores de Bovinos Mertolengos
Associação dos Criadores de Bovinos da Raça Alentejana
Associação de Defesa do Património de Mértola
Couto das Veladas, Unipessoal, Lda.
Direção Regional de Agricultura e Pescas do Alentejo
Fertiprado Sementes e Nutrientes, Lda.
Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco
Nutriprado, Lda.
Sociedade Agrícola de Segóvia, Lda.
Terraprima - Sociedade Agrícola, Lda.
Terraprima - Serviços Ambientais, Sociedade Unipessoal, Lda.

Start date

01-04-2022

Completion date

30-09-2025

Total eligible cost

€368,060.32

Funding programme

European funding: NextGeneration EU;
National funding: PPR - Recovery and Resilience Plan - Measure RE-C05-i03 - Research and Innovation Agenda for the Sustainability of Agriculture, Food and Agro-industry.

Main Expected Results

Main Expected Results

20% annual reduction in the use of nitrogen fertilisers and chemicals in fodder production;
8% annual increase in organic matter (OM) in the soil compared to the initial value;