Glossary:Grazing livestock density index
The grazing livestock density index measures the stock of grazing animals (cattle, sheep, goats and equidae) expressed in livestock units (LSU) per hectare of fodder area.
The fodder area is the sum of fodder brassica's and roots, forage plants and permanent grassland (excluding permanent grassland no longer used for production and eliglible for subsidies).
- Arable fodder crops and grass
- Fodder roots and brassicas (R9000)
- Forage plants
- Temporary grass (G1000)
- Leguminous plants (G2000)
- Green maize (G3000) )
- Permanent grassland and meadows (excluding permanent grassland no longer used for production and eliglible for subsidies)
- Pasture and meadow, excluding rough grazing (J1000)
- Rough grazing (J2000)
Livestock patterns give an indication of the pressure of livestock farming on the environment. Through manure production livestock contributes to climate change (greenhouse gas emissions) and nutrient leaching into water and air. In contrast with manure of other animal types, the manure of grazing livestock is mainly used for fertilisation of fodder area. Therefore the indicator relates the number of grazing livestock to the fodder area. A higher grazing livestock density means that more manure is available per ha of fodder area, which increases the risk of nutrient leaching. The actual impact on the environment of grazing livestock is however also depending on farmer practices. A higher grazing livestock index therefore does not necessarily means environmental degradation.