The Danish outdoor sow herds are efficient systems with low antibiotic usages and the outdoor image is an important brand for Danish organic agriculture - but high risk of nutrient losses from the pastures challenge the production. A part of the solution is to implement trees in the paddocks, but inventive thinking regarding the paddock design and management is needed to increase the economic and environmental benefits of the trees.

Improved animal welfare, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration

OUTFIT will contribute to the development of economically sustainable paddock designs that ensure low nutrient losses while maintaining high animal welfare, biodiversity and carbon sequestration. The project develops, demonstrates and investigates new paddock designs with diverse trees in new designs. At the same time, OUTFIT addresses one of the biggest barriers to the implementation of trees in paddocks by having a strong focus on increasing the value of the “seized” wood area.

The project is interdisciplinary with a strong focus on organic practice, and is expected to inspire and support more producers to establish trees in paddocks for the benefit of animals, the environment, climate and biodiversity.

 Project period: 2021-2024

The project is part of the Organic RDD 6 program, which is coordinated by ICROFS (International Center for Research in Organic Farming and Food Systems) in collaboration with GUDP.