PERSPECTIVES OF SEMI-INTENSIVE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS FOR DIARY FARMS IN NORTHERN GERMANY

This paper aims to characterize the perspectives of semi-intensive pro duction systems for sites in Northern Germany, which bear highly speci alized dairy farms. After defining the term ''extensive production sys tems'' by comparing different strategies of extensification reasons fo r the establishment and the potential of such systems for dairy/fodder production farms are described. It follows the assessment of a semi-i ntensive management of permanent grassland by special consideration of production, as well as the economical and ecological impacts on sande r sites of Northern Germany. It is evident that the degree of farm spe cialization has an superior importance for productivity and for biotic al impact on the environment as well as for the abiotical pollution of it. In terms of forage production on the arable land, important measu res to increase nitrogen efficiency of plant species are demonstrated. It is discussed how to reduce nitrogen losses through leaching in the production process of mais grown for silage. For a further productive and non-polluting fodder production it is recommended to intensify th e development of semi-intensive fodder production systems for areas li ke the glacial sanders of Northern Germany, which are characterized on the one side by large parts of arable land and on the other side by a high degree of specialization on dairy farming. Such systems would be distinguished by a reduced part of permanent grassland, by an increas e of fodder production in rotations including mais grown for silage an d by reduced surpluses in nutrients balances due to reduced inputs in the rotation as a whole.