@masterthesis{Oesterwind, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Oesterwind, Ferdinand Clemens}, title = {Study on the Potential of Mob Grazing on Animal and Pasture Performance exemplified by an Organic Holstein Dairy Herd}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, abstract = {Increasing adverse effects of climate change challenge Central European farmers. Severe precipitation deficits reduce fodder crop yields in livestock production and make grazing difficult. Understanding the effects of climate change and the impact grazing systems have on the environment is vital to economically utilize grassland. Mob grazing is a strategy that could provide an opportunity to ensure stable grassland yields during drought periods. Commonly used grazing systems, impact of climate change on pasture management and possible benefits of mob grazing are reviewed in this thesis. In addition, the effects of mob grazing on animal and pasture performance exemplified by an organic Holstein dairy herd are assessed in a field trial carried out at the Agricultural Chamber of North-Rhine Westphalia. The potential on animal performance is evaluated by milk yield and body condition. Pasture performance is determined by yield, sward height, pasture residues, and yield shares. Computation of milk yield from pasture allows for an interpretation of the potential of mob grazing in an interdisciplinary scope of pasture and animal performance. The research showed that mob grazing has the potential to achieve promising yields, regarding milk yield, pasture forage yield and milk production from pasture in comparison to conventional grazing systems. Mob grazing can provide resilience against potential consequences of climate change. It has the potential to be further adapted by farmers due to its economic and ecological advantages. To emphasize this, future research must focus on the effects of mob grazing on soil fertility, carbon sequestration and biodiversity.}, language = {en} }