Quantifying the Contributing Potential of European Grasslands to Food Protein and Organic Manure in a Circular Food System

Abstract

This paper evaluates the role of grasslands in a circular food system in Europe by assessing the animal-sourced food and manure production potential of a grass-fed dual-purpose cattle system. A computational model integrated grassland yield estimates, livestock productivity data, and nitrogen balance calculations. Two scenarios, varying in calf fattening duration, were analysed to explore their impacts on livestock numbers, protein production, and nutrient cycling, with the aim of assessing different levels of meat production from grassland. Transitioning to a solely grass-fed dual-purpose cattle system reduces bovine numbers across most European countries. However, despite fewer animals, dual-purpose production can increase bovine protein production in some countries, such as France and Ireland, compared to current levels. This is because dual-purpose cattle produce both milk and meat, with milk providing a higher protein conversion efficiency from grassland than meat. As a result, countries currently producing more meat than milk can partially offset the loss in protein resulting from the reduction in animal numbers. Dual-purpose cattle alone generally cannot meet current animal-sourced protein demands, especially in regions where bovine production depends heavily on concentrate feeds. They may only in some countries provide sufficient animal-sourced food to meet the nationally defined requirements of a healthy diet or generate enough manure to maintain soil fertility without additional nutrient input. Future research should aim to improve the accuracy of grassland yield estimates across Europe and develop context-specific livestock strategies to address these challenges.