Grass farming advocated as sustainable alternative to forestry in Denmark

Grass is significantly cheaper to cultivate than forests and is highly effective in absorbing nitrogen, which helps reduce runoff into Denmark’s fjords and waters. However, grass cultivation has not been prominently featured in the Green Denmark agreement reached by the government and stakeholders in June, which is seen as a missed opportunity by Uffe Jørgensen, a professor at Aarhus University’s Department of Agroecology.

Jørgensen contributed to a report demonstrating that increased grass farming could help meet water quality requirements in Limfjord by reducing nitrogen runoff. While the agreement emphasizes reforestation and restoration of wetlands, Jørgensen argues that planting grass in vulnerable areas is a more effective and economical solution. He notes that it would soon lead to reduced leaching, unlike forests, which take years to establish and take effect.

Farmers would also benefit as they could continue cultivating grass for livestock feed, thereby maintaining jobs in agriculture. Jørgensen estimates that small subsidies could support this initiative but would be minimal compared to the costs associated with land acquisition for forestation.

The Green Denmark pact, finalized on June 24, 2024, aims to convert over 390,000 hectares of agricultural land into forests and natural areas, which accounts for more than 15% of Denmark’s agricultural land.

Conversely, farmer Lars Kristensen expresses readiness to plant more grass, highlighting its potential to address environmental challenges without leading to land abandonment. He emphasizes that grass does not contribute to greater nitrogen leaching than fallow land and that reducing agricultural land to fallow could negatively impact jobs and local communities.

Environmental policymakers also recognize the need to include grass farming in future political negotiations, advocating for its inclusion as a cost-effective tool for promoting biodiversity and environmental sustainability in Denmark’s agriculture.