Summary
This instrumented farm-scale study uses primary data from the North Wyke Farm Platform to examine the relationship between economic and environmental performance in pasture-based ruminant production systems. The research indicates that environmental performance and economic profitability often show positive correlation under real-world commercial farming conditions, challenging the assumption of inherent economic-environmental trade-offs in livestock production. The findings suggest that well-managed pasture-based systems may achieve simultaneous improvements in both economic and environmental outcomes.
UK applicability
Directly applicable to United Kingdom pastoral farming contexts, as the North Wyke Farm Platform is located in south-west England and the study reflects typical UK grassland-based ruminant management. The findings may inform UK farm policy and advisory guidance on supporting economically viable, environmentally sustainable pasture systems.
Key measures
Farm-scale economic metrics (profitability, production efficiency); environmental metrics including nutrient losses (nitrogen, phosphorus), greenhouse gas emissions, and soil health indicators
Outcomes reported
The study measured the relationship between economic performance (profitability, productivity) and environmental outcomes (nutrient losses, greenhouse gas emissions, soil health indicators) across multiple pasture-based ruminant farms. Data were collected at farm scale using high-resolution instrumentation to assess whether environmental and economic performance typically trade off or align.
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