Sustainable nutrient management in silage production

The farm nutrient runoff is one of the sources of nutrients eventually entering from surface waters to the Baltic Sea. As livestock farming has become more effective and intensive, so has the silage production. Current silage production technologies have not been studied thoroughly from nutrient leakage point of view, so that there is a need to map and address the environmental risks of them. We need to look at the whole chain from growing grass for silage to storing and using it, as well as waste management of used silage plastic. Farmers need more information and professional expertise about different innovative agri-environmental solutions in silage production, which are most applicable for project area. Thus, there is a need for pilot and capacity building activities targeted to the animal husbandry sector in Finland, Estonia and Latvia. The environmental risks from silage production need to be addressed in cross border cooperation, as national efforts only are not sufficient.

The project "Sustainable Silage" focuses on reducing silage environmental impacts at farm level. The silage management analysis covers the environmental, economic, and quality aspects. About 25 farms from pilot areas test different farming practices and solutions in silage production, and the environmental impacts will be evaluated. Farmers receive well-founded information and practical recommendations about the efficiency of different types of technologies and farming practices, which have positive impact to the environment. It is the first joint initiative of agricultural producers, farmers organizations and research institutions in Central Baltic area focusing to the environmental issues in silage production.