Agriculture in Iceland - A grassland based production

摘要

Iceland is located just below the Arctic Circle, yet it enjoys a mild maritime climate. The mean temperature in Reykjavik is -0.5 and 10.6°C for January and July respectively. The growing season is cool and generally fairly wet and extends over fourmonths from May to September. Such conditions are ideal for grass growth and therefore agriculture is primarily grassland-based livestock production. Winter fodder for the livestock is mostly harvested from permanent grass fields, almost half of which are on drained organic soils. Arable land is now approximately one tenth of the cultivated area, divided equally between barley production and green fodder. Climatic conditions have been favourable for barley cultivation in the last two decades and the annual production provides around a quarter of the current concentrate requirements. This could be doubled in the next few years if climatic conditions remain favourable. Iceland has only a single breed for each of dairy cows, sheep and horses. These are all unique to the country and have remained almost completely isolated since the settlement around 1100 years ago. Import of exotic genetic material is strictly controlled. The country is self-sufficient in both meat and dairy products. The dairy cow is rather small and produces on average 5,600 kg milk yr~(-1). Milk yields have been steadily increasing over the last 40 years thanks to improved fodder and genetic improvements in the local breed. The Icelandic sheep has been bred for good ewe productivityand superior meat quality. The sheep population is around 460 thousand heads and this outnumbers all 27 EU countries on the basis of animal numbers per 1000 inhabitants. The Icelandic horse is characterized by its many coat colours and five different gaits. It is estimated that two thirds of the horse population are currently found abroad. Projected climate change indicates that conditions for crop plants will improve and the cultivation of arable crops will become more secure in the near future.