Research
The climate in the north of Sweden is characterised by a rather short and cold vegetation period with good water supply, high light radiation and very long days, and a winter with a long lasting snow cover. This is favourable for grass growth and quality. Hence, grass and clover leys are the dominating cultivated crops, and milk and meat production is the core of agriculture in the north of Sweden. The research focus at the department is to utilise the climatic benefits by increasing the knowledge of different crops, harvesting techniques, and to maximise the utilisation of the resulting feeds in ruminants.
The overall aim is to create knowledge that promotes the competiveness of agriculture in northern Sweden and ensures the supply of locally produced food items.
The research is focused on conservation, feeding and evaluation of forages for milk and meat production. Important aspects of the scientific work are the effects of the chemical and physical properties of the forages on feed intake and animal performance as well as the links to product (food) quality. A deeper knowledge about locally produced feeds will lead to a sustainable and quality assured food production.
The important influences of biological and cultivation conditions for a sustainable crop production in northern areas are studied. Yield, product quality, pathogens and nutrient metabolism in soil and plants are studied at eco-system level in the field.
Biological mechanisms are studied at organism, cell and molecular levels in the laboratory.
Field studies are mainly conducted in the four northern counties of Sweden. Hence, influences of different environmental conditions on the crop production in this region can be emphasised.