Due to its location, the Hessian state domain Gladbacherhof presents some challenges for the Eco-Field Days. Why do you think the location is nevertheless very suitable?
Johannes Eisert: Our low mountain location represents a site that is common in organic farming. This is a location with permanent grassland, forage farming and arable farming. This results in a mixed farm with livestock farming. This is what makes it such an exciting venue. As a teaching and experimental farm of the University of Giessen, we are testing, among other things, how we can prevent erosion on sloping land, for example, with adapted crop rotations and different tillage methods. This is precisely what we want to discuss at the 2021 Organic Field Days.
Like us, many of our colleagues have to hoe and harrow their crops on slopes. We can demonstrate this clearly at our site.
The climate crisis will be one of the main topics of the 2021 Eco Field Days. How are you tackling it?
Johannes Eisert: The farm is paying more attention to water-conserving farming and using adapted varieties. Due to the expected water shortage, the cultivation of field beans is currently being questioned. The cultivation of soybeans, which has long been researched at the Gladbacherhof, could be an alternative in the future. Although soy also needs a lot of water, it is more heat-tolerant. Many of the research projects currently being carried out at Gladbacherhof deal with topics related to climate change. For example, the cultivation of vegetables in a mulch layer and the creation of new agroforestry areas.
The aim of your milk production is to optimize the lifetime performance of the animals instead of short-term peak performance. How do you achieve this?
Johannes Eisert: Over a third of our dairy herd has already produced more than five lactations of milk. We strive to achieve a high lifetime yield with a high basic feed yield, animal-friendly husbandry and breeding for long-lived lines.