1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The technology is based on use of livestock manure from dairy cows (excreta and cereals straw) for fertilisation of arable fields with 3-5 year rotation. Manure has a very good effect on soil production capacity and on growth of vegetable crops.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

1. The technology is applied in the flatlands of Ljubljana with an average altitude of 350 m.a.s.l. Average annual precipitation is 1400 mm. The area is characterized with often stormy precipitation events and occasional droughts. Silty loam soils in the area are moderately deep to deep with medium soil organic matter. Area has good availability of surface water and groundwater of good drinking quality. The biodiversity of the area is medium without any salinity and flooding problems. Sedentary agriculture with mixed or commercial agriculture is practiced with less than 10% of income coming from off-farm activities. The examined farm household has an average wealth and is fully mechanized/motorized. All farm households have a good access to services and infrastructure. The examinded farm is medium in scale with land patly owned by the land user and partly leased from other private owners.

2. Main characteristic is the use of livestock manure on arable fields and especially for vegetable production. Manure is composed from solid dairy cows excreta and cereals straw (wheat, barley) which is used as bedding for cows. Manure is composted for few months (4-6, depends on storage capacity). It is spread before ploughing and then ploughed into the soil. Spreading of manure is done in autumn or in spring. Knowledge on time of spreading and on handling with machines is needed.

3. Main function is increasing organic matter in the soil and also all major nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium etc.). This leads to better (1) productivity due to nutrients slow release, (2) better water holding capacity and (3) decreased soil compaction threat.

4. Major inputs needed to establish are: livestock (animals), stable adapted to the manure collection, use of straw bedding, storage facility (if possible covered with roof), manure spreader, and loading equipment. Major inputs to maintain are: keeping of the livestock herd and maintenance of the machines.

5. The benefits are: (1) increase in soil organic matter, (2) increase soil water holding capacity, (3) to maintain soil productivity, (4) increase in yields quantity and quality.

6. Land users like: (1) lower cost for mineral fertilisers, (2) impact on soil fertility, (3) it's a traditional method.
Land users dislike: (1) time-consuming - labour hours invested, (2) storage capacity takes space, (3) costs of transport.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Slovenia

Further specification of location:

Municipality of Dol pri Ljubljani

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:

• 0.1-1 km2

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• create beneficial economic impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Cropland

• Annual cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• cereals - barley
• cereals - maize
• cereals - wheat (winter)
• root/tuber crops - potatoes
• root/tuber crops - sugar beet
• vegetables - other

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

one main crop

Comments:

Main crops (cash and food crops): silage maize / winter barley / winter wheat / vegetable / potatoe / sugar beet

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

Comments:

only vegetables are also irrigated

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• integrated crop-livestock management
• integrated soil fertility management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility

structural measures

• S11: Others

management measures

• M7: Others

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

chemical soil deterioration

• Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)

physical soil deterioration

• Pc: compaction
• Pk: slaking and crusting

biological degradation

• Bq: quantity/ biomass decline
• Bl: loss of soil life

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

EUR (€)

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

0.89

4.3 Establishment activities

Comments:

However, this is a traditional method, so farmer has mainly maintenance costs.

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

If you are unable to break down the costs in the table above, give an estimation of the total costs of establishing the Technology:

2.0

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour is the most important. It is followed by livestock herd. However, herd costs are covered with milk production.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• state
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• leased
• individual

Water use rights:

• individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Ecological impacts

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

Climatological disasters

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• > 50%

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 91-100%

Comments:

Traditional method.

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

7.1 Methods/ sources of information