07 July 2026, Frick: Ruminants are often criticised for their methane emissions. A factsheet by FiBL Switzerland and the organic association Bio Suisse shows that grassland-based organic livestock farming can effectively combine climate protection, food security and resource efficiency.
Ruminants convert grass and other plant material that humans cannot digest into high-quality protein, making an important contribution to food production. They also help maintain cultural landscapes, promote biodiversity and support nutrient cycles. In Switzerland, where around 70% of agricultural land is permanent grassland, grazing livestock enables the sustainable use of land that is unsuitable for crop production.
Methane remains a challenge, but according to FiBL, the solution is not to abandon cattle farming but to improve how it is managed. Site-adapted feeding, longer productive lifespans for cows and the use of local resources can improve the climate balance and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Tahe factsheet concludes that organic, grassland-based cattle farming can make an important contribution to climate protection, resource efficiency and a more sustainable agricultural system.
The publication is available for free download in the FiBL shop.
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