Ruminant livestock density Grassland use intensity

On a national scale, considerable regional variations in the intensity of utilisation are evident (cf. analyses of the Farm Structure Survey (FSS) up to 2020). In the federal states examined, high intensities of permanent grassland use are found, with stocking densities of > 1.4 ruminant livestock units (RLU) per hectare of forage area and corresponding low biodiversity value levels, particularly in the north-west and, on a smaller scale, in south-east Bavaria and the Alpine foothills. Areas exhibiting medium habitat quality and very low stocking densities are particularly prevalent in the most fertile regions, as well as in substantial portions of Brandenburg. Permanent grassland in most low mountain ranges exhibits a high habitat quality.

At the national level, livestock density continues to decline in both the short and medium term. Grassland use is tending to become more extensive or is being abandoned. The median livestock density is falling more sharply than the mean. This indicates that even more extensive areas are cultivated more extensively than intensively used grassland areas. Accordingly, livestock density is declining, often on land that already had a low density to begin with. 

A thorough examination of the time series reveals that the average livestock density exhibited a more pronounced decline between 2015 and 2020 in Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia, with a more modest decline in Bavaria. Since 2021, elevated livestock density levels have persisted in conjunction with diminished habitat quality. In contrast, the average stocking density of ruminant livestock in Hesse, Baden-Württemberg, and Brandenburg fluctuates at a lower level within the high habitat quality category. These trends are reflected in analyses of the FSS.

There has been an increase in the proportion of grassland, particularly in regions with very low livestock stocking rates or where there are no opportunities to utilise the grassland. In protected areas, livestock stocking rates are typically considerably lower than in areas outside these protected areas. The underlying factors contributing to this phenomenon include management requirements and comparatively modest natural yield potential.
 

The calculations of the indicator and trends are based on the available evaluable IACS data. 

For further information on the calculation, see the indicator sheet