Grass and clover can provide more than animal feed
Growing leys—grass and clover—is nothing new in Swedish agriculture. But in the arable farming regions dominated by cereal production, leys are less common. One reason is that there needs to be a market for what is harvested.
Grass and clover, often considered mere fodder for animals, have proven to be much more valuable in Swedish agriculture. These plants, known as leys, can be cultivated in crop rotations alongside cereals and have numerous benefits for soil quality and the environment. However, finding a market for the biomass produced by ley crops has been a challenge for farmers.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have explored the potential of green biorefineries, where fresh grass and clover are processed into various products, including protein feed. This approach not only reduces dependence on imported soy, an environmentally problematic resource, but also offers several environmental benefits.
Replacing soy with grass protein can significantly reduce pesticide usage, create circular nutrient systems, maintain soil fertility, and enhance biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. Additionally, the refining process generates substantial amounts of fiber-rich residual streams that can be utilized in various ways, such as biogas production, biochar creation, textile manufacturing, and even carbon capture.
While the most promising applications are still under development, the inclusion of leys in agricultural rotations has been shown to increase soil organic matter content, improving the soil's ability to withstand drought conditions and enhancing its water-holding capacity. This long-term strategy could make agriculture more resilient in the face of climate change.
However, expanding ley cultivation could potentially reduce cereal production and exports in Sweden. On a global scale, reducing soy imports could alleviate pressure on deforestation in South America.
Written by urgent.news from Phys.org's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
