Adequate treatment of organic manures and digestates from livestock production should reduce environmental impacts and provide well-defined and attractive biofertlisers for a crop production market, which can promote the closure of the nutrient cycle in agriculture. In this sense, a survey was conducted during the autumn of 2021 to investigate Swedish farmers’ perspectives on organic fertilisers use. The survey consisted of an online questionnaire, which was distributed broadly in the social media, homepages, different types of networks and at course events in order to reach all types of farms. There were 22 questions focused on current use, reasons for current use and preferences for future use. The analysis of the 99 fully responded surveys, demonstrated that 43% of the respondents think that they will increase their use of organic fertilisers in the coming 5–10 years and 60% think that they will use manure digestate in different forms (both solid and liquid fractions). Soil improvement was the main reason to use organic fertilisers, but there were also preferences for organic fertilisers with fast release of nutrients. The risk of soil compaction was the main reason not to use organic fertilisers and based on the responses, pellets and granulates seem to be more interesting than liquids and solids in general. Animal manures dominate the current use of organic fertilisers in Sweden however, other types of organic waste such as digestate and digestate derived fertilisers seems appealing to Swedish farmers. In conclusion, from this survey with 62% of the respondees in crop production, we found several indications of that there is a potential for increased use of organic fertilisers in Sweden on farms with limited use today. We found an openness, a broad interest and a demand for different types of products of different forms and origin. Since this demand in the end will almost always depend on the price of products in relation to the price of mineral fertilisers, which are fluctuating, we see the need of policy incentives in order to stimulate initiatives for the development towards increased circularity of nutrients. 

The potential of modified spring barley crops with improved nitrogen (N) use efficiency to reduce nitrogen (N) leaching and to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) storage was assessed at the regional scale. This was done using simulation model applications designed for reporting according to the Helcom (Helsinki Commission) and Kyoto protocols. Using model simulations based on modified crops N dynamics and SOC were assessed for three agro-ecological regions (latitudes ranging 55°20′–60°40′ N) in Sweden over a 20-year period. The modified N use properties of spring barley were implemented in the SOILNDB model (simulating soil C, N, water and heat, and plant N dynamics) by changing the parameters for root N uptake efficiency and plant N demand within a range given by previous model applications to different crops. A doubling of the daily N uptake efficiency and increased N demand (by ca 30%) reduced N leaching by 24%–31%, increased plant N content by 9%–12%, depending on region. The effects of the modified crop on SOC was simulated with the ICBM model, resulting in an increased SOC content (0–25 cm depth) by 57–79 kg C ha⁻¹ y⁻¹. The results suggest that a modified crop might reduce N leaching from spring barley area, in a range similar to the targets of relevant environmental protection directives, a result which held more in the northern than southern regions. The simulated SOC increase on a hectare basis was highest for the central region and least for the most northern region. For the total agricultural area the share of spring barley area was small and more crops would need to be modified to reach the emission reduction targets.

Field trials were conducted 2010–2012 in soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) to investigate cultivar choice, suitable seeding dates and row distances for cropping in Sweden. The cultivar trials showed that commercially available varieties of the 000-group can be used for cropping in Sweden. Yield typically amounted to 1500–2500 kg ha−1 of dry marketable seeds. Cultivars introduced to Sweden should be tested in the field before large-scale production as the 000-classification not fully is valid for Swedish conditions. Row distance (12.5; 25 and 50 cm) had no overall statistically significant impact on yield, but 25 or 50 cm are recommended as these distances are suitable for physical weed control such as row cultivation or torsion weeding. Seeding in the period May 15–30th is recommended to secure germination and yield. The outcome of the trials was supported by results from field demonstrations and commercial cultivar trials in 2013–2014.

Background. Global soybean production is expected to double in the coming decades, driven by a request for animal feed to meet increasing meat consumption. Demand for locally produced food and feed is also increasing, making it interesting to explore the potential for soybean production in high-latitude regions. Scope. To present information on the potential for cultivating vegetable soybean, edamame, under cold-temperate conditions. Conclusions. For the successful establishment, sowing at low soil temperatures should be avoided. Commercial inoculants are effective, irrespective of soybean cultivar. There is no need to re-inoculate fields if the crop has been included in the crop rotation. Little nitrogen remains in the soil after harvest, resulting in a low risk of leaching but a need for nitrogen fertilisation of the following crop. Suitable vegetable soybean cultivars are available on the market and are preferred compared to cultivars intended for dry harvest. The cropping system needs to be improved, e.g. by moderating the microclimate by plastic tunnels, in order to secure harvest. © 2021 The Author(s).

Swedish lentil cropping is today limited to heritage and small-scale farming. As lentils can be grown on all types of soils with standard agricultural equipment and act as a break crop in grain dominated rotations, they have come into focus for commercial production. Knowledge on cultivar choice, seeding time, possibilities for intercropping, and weed control is crucial for increased cropping. Thus, field trials combined with climate chamber experiments have investigated suitable cultivars and temperature effects on emergence. Moreover, seed rates, intercropping lentils with oats and wheat, and weed control have also been studied. Modern lentil varieties can be cropped in Sweden, typically yielding 1.5–2 MT ha−1 with a top-level yield of 3.5 to 4 MT ha−1. Intercropping with oats or spring wheat does not usually increase lentil yield. Lentil seed rates should not be less than 300 viable kernels m−2. Early seeding should be avoided as low soil temperature (8–10°C) prolongs emergence. Initial trials on suitable herbicides for Swedish conditions have shown that annual weeds are able to be controlled sufficiently. In general, there are small differences in crop performance in different fields and cultivar choice should be based on the features desired by the food industry. 

A survey was conducted on 302 Sweden dairy farms (response rate 98%) to identify grazing and grassland management strategies and main challenges to grazing in northern Sweden. The most common grazing strategy on all dairy farms was continuous grazing (59%) followed by rotational grazing (45%), while organic dairy farms preferentially adopted rotational grazing (69%). The main challenges reported in grazing dairy cows on temporary grasslands on conventional farms were trampling damage and seasonal variations in grass growth, while for organic dairy farmers, the primary challenge was weed control. Only a few farms had grazing on semi-natural grasslands. Future sustainable grazing should focus on optimising grazing strategy in relation to on-farm grazing locations and nutrient supply for high-yielding dairy cows.