Focus on nutrientsAn agri-(water)environmental extension

program since 2001

The Federation of Swedish Farmers The County Administrative BoardsThe Swedish Board

of Agriculture

Dr Sindre Langaas, LRF

Initiated 2001 as an agricultural sector response to meet governmental environmental objectives•Zero Eutrophication •Good-quality groundwater•A non-toxic environment•Thriving wetlands•Reduced climate impact (coming in 2010)

Focus on Nutrients – key features

Focus on Nutrients – key features

• The objective is to Increase awareness and knowledge in order to change behaviour.

• Based on individual advice and on-farm education.

• 30 000 farm visits have been made by 200 advisors to reduce nutrient losses.

• Farmers (and advisors) are included in decisions on all levels in the campaign

Focus on Nutrients – key features• Individual advice• Courses for farmers, in particular introduction

course• Courses for advisors, advanced level• Updated information with the latest research

– www.greppa.nu + e-mail based news subscribtion– Newsletters (paper)– Brochures (I have brought some English for you)– lectures/presentations

Focus on Nutrients – key features

• Voluntary participation

• Repeated farm visits by advisors

• Flexible advisory modules adapted to the type of farm (crop, animal husbandry, etc)

• Farm-specific measures are identified

• Follow-up on each farm

Focus on Nutrients – regions (counties) covered ~ NVZ

> 7 500 members

Focus on Nutrients –Advisors

• 43 different advisor firms involved • The biggest - Swedish Rural Economy and

Agricultural Societies  (Hushållningssällskapet)

• Crop advisors• Environmental advisors• Wetland construction advisors• Animal husbandry advisors

Courses for advisors

• Based on demand – survey every year

Example of topics:

• Reduced tillage – zero tillage

• Water protection areas and pesticide use

• How to maintain wetlands

• How to inspire change

Farmer courses

• Study circles

• Evening or day classes arranged by the County Administrative Boards

• Mandatory in order the receive individual advice on farm level

Funding and costs

• Funding comes from two sources– Rural Development

Program ~ 50 %

– Governmental funds ~ 50 %

• Advice visits are free of charge to the farmer (except for time invested)

Topics of advisor visits

48%

28%

13%

7%5% Nitrogen leaching

Losses of ammonia

PhosphorusleachingPesticidemanagementOther

Four experiences from 30 000 environmental farm visits during the last 8 years

1. It is important to make repeated visits to change farmers behaviour. One-time visits are almost useless.

Four experiences from 30 000 environmental farm visits during the last 8 years

2. The environmental advisor can not only talk about benefits to the environment but also has to show effects on farm economy.

Four experiences from 30 000 environmental farm visits during the last 8 years

3. It is important to show the environmental progress to media and thereby make the farmers proud of their improvements.

Four experiences from 30 000 environmental farm visits during the last 8 years

4. The farmer want to see the ecological effects of his/ hers commitment. Reduced N and P concentration is not an ecological effect.

This is a substantial challenge for scientists and monitoring experts.

Change in farm surplus of phosphorus after 2,5 years of advice

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

mjölk (701 gårdar) gris (109 gårdar) växtodling (563gårdar)

Gårdstyper

kg

/ha

Första balans

Senaste balans

Change in farm surplus of nitrogen after 2,5 years of advice

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

mjölk (701 gårdar) gris (109 gårdar) växtodling (563 gårdar) Gårdstyper

kg

/ha

Första balans

Senaste balans

21%

65%

11%

2%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Ja, ganskastora - storaförändringar

Nej, intealls

Stora förändringar

Fråga 7: Du som är medlem i Greppa Näringen, har detta lett till förändringar på Din gård? Bas: Medlemmar

88 % of farmers have taken measures to reduce losses after advisory visits

“Being a member of Focus on nutrients, has this led to changes in agricultural practice on the farm?”

Sub-stantive

Some None

Very substantive

The future for ”Focus on Nutrients”

• Advice on climate change– Impact on the farm– How to reduce greenhouse gas emission– Production of bioenergy and biofuels?

• Advice on the EU water directive

• Expansion to more areas

• Export to other countries

Contact

Josefin Kihlberg

Communications director, Focus on Nutrients

E-mail: josefin.kihlberg@lrf.se

Phone: 08-787 51 54

www.greppa.nu