Livestock systems, farming styles and grassland maintenance in alpine areas: an on farm survey in the Belluno province, Noth-eastern Italy

Changes in landscape and biodiversity in Alpine areas are strongly related to farmland abandonment. This study aims at describing the local variability of livestock production systems and farming styles, in terms of economic and environmental sustainability in the Belluno province, North- eastern Italy. The province (3676 km2, 1323 m a.s.l. mean elevation, SD=610) offers a variety of climatic and morphological conditions and hence agricultural systems. Using a multivariate approach, based on data obtained from Official Censuses of Agriculture and Population and from Breeders Association, the 69 municipalities of the province were clustered in 3 livestock farming systems (“intensified”, “traditional”, “abandoned”). Ninety farms were selected within the systems and surveyed for structural, technical and economic characteristics as well as for nitrogen output; managed land was mapped using a GIS. Seven farming styles were identified: farmhouses, intensive beef cattle, intensive dairy cattle, traditional dairy cattle, extensive cattle and small ruminants (large and small farms). Farming styles showed a variety of strategies to enhance economic viability and revealed great differences in nitrogen output and ability to grasslands maintenance. Policies of public support that do not consider this variability in livestock systems and farming styles would be unable to balance farm income with environmental sustainability.