The extent to which conversion to organic farming influenced habitat diversity within less favored areas (LFAs) was determined. Similar numbers of conventional (not converted) (n=16), recent converts (<5 years; n=13) and long-standing converts (>5 years; n=16) were surveyed. Each holding was characterized in terms of habitat classes using a rapid ground survey. Conversion to organic farming had little effect on overall habitat diversity. This could be linked to the physical challenges of farming in LFAs limiting management options. The results highlight the need for a separate evidence base for the development of policies relating to farming and biodiversity in marginal areas.

Grazing management influences both economic sustainability and ecosystem change within farming systems. As part of an integrated study we progressively added elements to an upland sheep farming system in order to quantify the impacts on livestock performance and sward characteristics of (i) introducing cattle, (ii) incorporating semi-natural rough grazing (SNRG), (iii) altering the cattle:sheep stocking ratio, and (iv) replacing the mainstream breed of cattle (Limousin cross) with a rare breed (Belted Galloway). Data were collected for four years from 2005. Mixed grazing with cattle improved the liveweight gains of lambs, particularly post weaning, regardless of the duration of cattle grazing or the cattle:sheep ratio. Calf growth rates were highest on improved pasture, but acceptable weight gains were also recorded for both breed types when grazing the SNRG, with the Limousin cross calves gaining in excess of 1.0 kg d(-1). Overall, there was little evidence that altering the grazing system led to increased sward heterogeneity at the field scale under conditions representative of normal agricultural practice. Utilisation of Molinia caerulea was similar for the traditional and modern breeds of cattle. The results challenge common perceptions regarding the relative value of different elements within upland livestock systems. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fraser, M. D., Evans, J. G., Davies, D. W. R., Vale, J. E. (2008). Effect of sward type and management on butterfly numbers in the uplands. Aspects of Applied Biology, Shaping a Vision for the Uplands, Conference 21, Sheffield Hallam University, 2-4 June 2008, Stockdale, E. 85, 15-18. Shaping a Vision for the Uplands, Conference 21, Sheffield Hallam University, 2-4 June 2008

There is growing interest in the environmental benefits of grazing by cattle, yet little information is available regarding the levels of production that might be achieved on semi-natural rough grazing (SNRG). The overall aim of this research was to assess the performance of native and 'improved' breeds of cattle when grazing grass/clover swards and SNRG in order to explore potential genotype x nutritional environment interactions. This paper reports the findings of three experiments conducted over three years. The first experiment assessed the performance of autumn-born Welsh Black (WB) and Charolais cross (CX) cattle aged approximately 9 months when grazing ryegrass/white clover-dominated improved permanent pasture (PP) and Molinia caerulea-dominated SNRG. Both genotype and pasture type had significant effects on liveweight gain. with growth rates higher for WB steers than CX steers (P<0.001) and higher on the improved pasture than on the SNRG (P<0.001). The second experiment was conducted the following summer when the steers were 20 months old and evaluated the effects of breed and pasture type on subsequent finishing performance, carcass composition, meat quality, flavour and fatty acid composition. Genotype had no effect on liveweight gain during the grazing period, but pasture type again had a highly significant effect on growth rate (P<0.001). Carcass conformation was good and similar for both breeds. Pasture type had a greater effect on fatty acid composition of the meat than did breed. Likewise, genotype had no effect on meat colour or stability, whereas pasture type affected both. Loin steaks from the SNRG-grazed animals had significantly more vitamin E than those from PP-grazed animals (P<0.001) and this was reflected in lower lipid oxidation (TBARS) after simulated retail display (P<0.001). The third experiment assessed the performance of spring-born Welsh Black and Limousin cross steers aged 14 months when grazing PP and SNRG. Again only pasture type had a highly significant effect on growth rate (P<0.001). Measurements made during the first two experiments using automatic behaviour recorders indicated that pasture type influenced grazing behaviour to a greater degree than breed. and sward measurements found no between-breed differences in utilisation of M. caerulea. Overall the results indicate that the type of sward grazed has a greater influence on animal performance and meat quality than breed type when beef cattle are produced in Less Favoured Areas. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fraser, M. D., Vale, J. E., Evans, J. G. (2008). Performance of limousin cross and belted galloway suckler cows and calves when grazing improved and semi-improved pasture. Pp.108-110 in: Grassland Science in Europe 13. Hopkins, A., Gustafsson, T., Bertilsson, J. et al. (Eds). ISBN: 978-91-85911-47-9 Proceedings of the 22nd General meeting of the European Grassland Federation, 'Biodiversity and animal feed - future challenges for grassland production', Uppsala, Sweden, 9-12 June, 2008. RONO: 1930 4607

Previous experiments have shown that mixed or conjoint grazing, when two or more animal species are grazed together, can lead to improved performance of one or more of the species and a higher total output per unit area. Sequential grazing systems, when different animal species graze an area in succession, also have the potential to improve productivity. This experiment directly compared these two approaches for integrating the grazing of cattle and sheep when pastured on improved permanent pasture. Four treatments were compared: 1) sheep only from May to October (S/S); 2) cattle only from May to July followed by sheep only from August to October (C/S); 3) cattle and sheep from May to July, sheep only for the rest of the growing season (C+S/S); and 4) cattle and sheep from May to October (C+S/C+S). Each treatment was replicated three times. From May until weaning at the end of July the plots were grazed by steers and ewes and lambs, and from weaning until October by steers and lambs. Sward heights were maintained at 6 cm using a "put and take" stocking system. Animal performance and sward composition data were collected during three growing seasons, 2001-2003. During the pre-weaning period lambs grazing plots which were grazed only by sheep had significantly poorer growth rates than those grazing plots where there was mixed grazing. Lambs grazing the sheep only plots also had lower liveweight gain during the post-weaning period, with the highest growth rates being recorded on the C+S/C+S treatment. Carrying capacity and total liveweight gain per unit area post-weaning were also consistently higher for the C+S/C+S treatment, while carrying capacity pre-weaning was highest for the C/S treatment. Measurements of clover content in the grazed horizon and botanical separation of material from quadrat cuts indicated that even under relatively controlled conditions choice of grazing system can influence sward composition. However, there was no clear link between any single sward change and the growth of the animals, indicating that the improved performance of cattle and sheep under mixed grazing is the result of a combination of factors, rather than a response to a particular sward parameter. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.