Short sward grazing with dairy cows and regional milk marketing

The document assesses the implementation of short grass pastures (Kurzrasenweide) with dairy cows and regional milk product marketing, highlighting technological, legal, and political challenges. Key elements include a well-designed barn with on-farm milk processing, minimal machinery use, and weather-dependent drying systems. Regulatory barriers arise from subsidy definitions that exclude intensive grazing and do not recognise cleaning cuts as mowing. Recommendations include revising subsidy criteria to support rotational grazing and improving collaboration between local authorities and agricultural bodies. The innovator emphasizes storytelling in marketing—focusing on farm history and sustainability—over product features, noting underutilised direct marketing opportunities with limited regional participation.