Green,
A., Lewis, K. A., Tzilivakis, J. and Warner, D. J. (2002). Indicators of agricultural
sustainability - are they relevant to grassland management? Proceedings of the British
Grassland Society Winter Conference - Profitable Grass and Forage: Meeting the needs of
the farmer and society. 27-28 November 2002, Stafford, UK. The British Grassland
Society, Reading, UK.
Abstract
All too often agricultural sustainability is discussed in a
theoretical sense that leaves most practical land managers feeling that it is something
that is out of their control. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that indicators of
sustainability are often viewed as another weapon with which to attack the UK farming
community, since they have little or no impact on farm management decisions. This paper
examines one way in which this problem has been addressed, by re-analysing the data used
to develop the pilot set of agricultural sustainability indicators (MAFF, 2000) in order
to obtain figures that more closely represent actual farming situations. A computer
package has been developed that allows farmers to identify the indicators of most
significance for their businesses, and to determine how they compare with the norm in
their sector of the industry and/or geographical area. It has also been possible to
incorporate advice on how they may contribute to moving agriculture in the desired
direction, thereby ensuring its fUture sustainability. Examples from grassland producing
farms are used to illustrate the type of practical information that is obtainable from the
system.
Full paper
The full paper can obtained by emailing a.green@herts.ac.uk. |
