Practical experiences and professional lessons about winter grazing
On November 26, 2024, a convention titled "Winter Grazing in Grassland Farming" was organized by the National Chamber of Agriculture as part of the GRASSLAND-HU LIFE Integrated Project. The event provided both theoretical knowledge and practical demonstrations, which generated significant interest among livestock farmers.
The main focus of the event was a presentation by András Szunyogh, a farmer from Lendvadedes, who shared his professional and personal experiences over the past few years., He has transformed his farming practices over the past few years to adapt to the specific characteristics of his land. András began managing the family farm in 2018, which is located in a hilly and humid area of southern Zala. One of his main challenges was that during the autumn and winter, the wet soil caused his cattle and horses to sink deeply into the mud. This situation not only posed risks to the animals' welfare but also had a negative impact on the condition of the grasslands.
The solution was to gradually change management practices, considering the needs of both the animals and the grassland. With this new technique and updated equipments, the farmer has created a system that allows animals to stay outside on the pasture all winter with minimal bale feeding. This method is more cost-effective and better for the environment. The animals have adjusted well, and the grasslands stay healthy due to well-planned periodic grazing, which reduces trampling damage. At a demonstration, people saw the tools that helped make this happen.
A video of the presentation is available for those who could not attend. You can watch it by clicking here or on the GRASSLAND-HU LIFE Integrated Project website. It will also be on the National Chamber of Agriculture (NAK) website soon. This recording provides insights into practical ways to implement sustainable winter grazing. It also offers valuable and tested knowledge that can be useful.
Next year in the GRASSLAND-HU LIFE Integrated Project, we plan to hold several programs about sustainable grassland management. These programs will take place in different locations on Model Farms across the country. We encourage you to follow the project news and the NAK website..
We believe that programs like this help strengthen the professional community and support sustainable farming. This is good for both agriculture and the environment in the long run. We look forward to seeing you next year.
Source: NAK / Adrienn Gyenes, Viktor Vadkerti-Tóth