Cereal and forage integration for sustainable livestock feed in Mediterranean clay soils

This document presents a grassland innovation in southern Portugal using cereals and multispecies seed mixtures on clay soils under moderate rainfall. It details a ley farming system with low technical difficulty and medium financial investment, focused on improving pasture productivity and ecosystem health. The case study, funded by the European Union, demonstrates strong transferability across the Mediterranean region. Key challenges include water access, species-specific knowledge gaps (e.g. Tef), land access, and irrigation methods. Research gaps remain on biodiversity, optimal seed selection, and irrigation rates. Recommendations include rotational grazing, improved water access, proper seedbed preparation, and species-specific sowing timing. A separate EU-funded cost-benefit analysis highlights high initial and ongoing costs across multiple areas, with benefits across economic, environmental, and social dimensions, particularly in livestock production and climate resilience.