PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Climate change is having a substantial negative impact on the agricultural industry, especially in Southern Europe. Increased temperatures and change in precipitation patterns (longer dry periods and more heavy rainfalls) are having a detrimental impact on the livestock of farmers from this region. The main impacts identified include:
- Heat stress suffered by animals that reduces their productivity and leads to increased operational costs as farmers need to provide adequate living conditions;
- Deterioration of pastures due to intense heatwaves, as well as torrential rains and soil erosion;
- Lower water availability and quality;
- Changes in the diseases and pests that livestock have to cope with; and
- Greater risks for species that are not capable of adapting.
Climate change will negatively impact most agroecosystems and, if the regions in which this takes place are not capable of adapting livestock management systems, this poses a serious threat to local biodiversity, human health, animal health, eco-tourism, resource efficiency and the quality of the produce of these industries.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the LiveAdapt project was to demonstrate innovative technologies for the adaptation of Extensive Livestock Farms (ELF) to climate change. The specific objective was to define innovative updated business models for the extensive exploitation of livestock adapted to the future climate scenarios, including cooperation with other sectors such as tourism. The project objectives also encompassed the further promotion of environmentally friendly and high-quality goods that have an added value in the market, along with short food chain distribution and changes in consumer behaviour.
To fulfil its objectives, the project planned to train and advise farmers on efficient adaptations and the use of information and communications technology (ICT), as well as create an open and dynamic learning platform.
The project would thus contribute to implementing the EU Strategy on adaptation to climate change, along with European rural development and energy efficiency policy.
RESULTS
The LiveAdapt project implemented a set of solutions for the adaptation of Extensive Livestock Farms (ELF) to climate change, focusing on demonstrating innovative technologies, defining and transferring good farming practices and developing new business models.
Technical Solutions and Pilots:
Pilot 1: WaterAdapt and PondAdapt: the WaterAdapt system, designed to collect and store rainwater, proved to be highly efficient, filling its 20 m³ tank in less than 24 hours during heavy rainfall (86.6 mm/day). The PondAdapt system, which uses cork panels to reduce water evaporation in livestock ponds, achieved a 28.3% reduction in evaporation during summer, saving enough water for a herd of 800 sheep.
Pilot 2: LiveSMART: the LiveSMART mobile application optimised farm management, improving resource allocation and economic sustainability. The app allowed farmers to better manage their resources, reducing costs and improving profit margins. Additionally, the app facilitated the prediction of forage production, resulting in a 33% increase in dry matter production of pastures.
Pilot 3: Pasture Biodiversity and Animal Health: the introduction of leguminous plants increased pasture productivity by 136.8 kg/ha. Improved pasture management practices significantly reduced parasite loads in animals, enhancing their health and welfare. Coprological studies showed a low prevalence of parasites, with an average of only 32.5 Strongylidus eggs per gramme of faeces and 0.6 Trichuris eggs per gramme. Additionally, studies to improve native dung beetle and earthworm populations were conducted. These studies collected 40 156 beetles with a total biomass of 124 959 grammes. Beetle activity was monitored by tracking the degradation and dispersion of standard dung samples. The average dispersion in autumn was 128.48 cm², while in spring it was only 14.03 cm², indicating a low activity of coprophagous fauna in this season.
Best Practices and Training:
A total of 42 best practices for ELF adaptation to climate change were identified, validated and transferred to farmers, leading to more sustainable farming methods.
Over 800 participants attended training courses on ELF adaptation, gaining valuable knowledge and skills to improve their farming practices.
Marketing Campaign and Consumer Impact:
A marketing campaign promoting the benefits of extensive animal products reached over 1.6 million stakeholders and consumers, raising awareness about the environmental and health benefits of these products.
A case study involving 64 consumers showed that the provided information positively influenced their perceptions and acceptance of meat products from extensive livestock farming.
Action Plan and Policy Recommendations:
The project developed an Action Plan with specific strategies and recommendations for adapting ELF practices to climate change. This plan was widely disseminated to national and regional governments, agricultural and environmental departments, European institutions, and industry stakeholders. It serves as a practical guide for designing and implementing policies to support ELF as an environmentally friendly and sustainable way to produce animal products.
In summary, the LiveAdapt project demonstrated the effectiveness of innovative solutions and best practices in improving the sustainability and resilience of extensive livestock farms in the face of climate change. The project's outcomes provide valuable insights and tools for farmers, policymakers and consumers to support sustainable livestock farming.
