The authors summarize the factors influencing the nutritional value of grasses which constitute the dominant proportion of pasture biomass, and emphasize the percentage proportion of leguminous species. Interactions are discussed between the phenological status of grasses, digestability, metabolic energy requirements of deer and their voluntary intake. The very often neglected factor of water awailability on feed effciency in red deer farming is stressed. Some data are presented considering the research results obtained at the red deer research farm of the University of Kaposvár.

The invariably unfavorable agrarian environment can be neutralized only through a change paradigm change. This would mean the adoption of the practice of "wise use”, which implies the introduction of small game management supported with habitat management. Habitat management concerns 5-10% of the areas and predator management/control according to need result also in the increase of the target species; in this case, small game populations, by increasing the diversity of the habitat structure. The preservation of grasslands, their small game-friendly management, and the development and maintenance of a durable, undisturbed grassland structure primarily in the habitat margins play an essential role in this work.

This paper investigates the relationship between grasslands and game management. It focuses on three questions:
- grasslands as habitats for game,
- grasslands as sites for prolification,
- grasslands as sources of nutrition.
Five so-called big, and five so-called small game species were considered, based on my own research and a literature review. Main results and consequences:
- grasslands as ecosystems are more important in game management than as solely resources of nutrients,
- compared to their territorial proportions, grasslands play a 2-3 time grates role in game management,
- grasslands are more preferred on areas where vegetation types are frequently changing (a given vegetation occupies only a small area),
- there is a remarkable seasonality in grassland use of small game, spring being the peak season,
- classification of game considering grasslands as sources of nutrients:
I. grasslands are hardly eaten by: red deer, wild pig, wild ducks
II. grass is consumed, but it is not a main source of nutrients: for fallow deer
III. grass is consumed as frequently as other forages by roe deer, wild sheep
IV. grasslands are important feeding sites for pheasants, partridges
V. grass is the main forage for hares, wild ducks

Red, roe and fallow deer have outstanding importance in game management and hunting in Hungary. They live in very diverse ecological circumstances affected by parasites and other ecological factors (Table1). Among the many parasites, lungworms are considered to be the most significant, at least for animals in captivity. Species differentiation in large lungworms (Dictyocaulidae) on the basis of their morphological features is difficult; therefore, the sequencing of ITS2 of rDNA has become a useful tool for their genetic characterization. In our study, in addition to the typical Dictyocaulus eckerti ITS2 sequence another sequence is derived, which is significantly different from the known D. eckerti and D. viviparus sequence characteristics. This indicates the real need for a large-scale molecular, systematic study of Dictyocaulus specimens from red, fallow and roe deer from an epidemiological point of view.
In the period of host to host (deer), lungworm larvae (L1) on the pasture face many different environmental factors, including enemies and helpers. Number of L1s can be strongly reduced by dung beetle imagos as small predators. At the same time Pilobolus fungi help L1s to be spread on the ground vegetation, and improve and equalize the chance to get into the final hosts (deer) in the case of large lungworms (direct development) or into the intermediate hosts (terrestrial snails) for the necessary larval development of the Protostrongylidae species. Dung-breeding flies (Diptera) complete the set of factors. This is the uniquely functioning „micro”-biocenosis on the deer pasture.
Deer herds, especially those kept intensively (eg. deer farm), are usually routinely treated with anti-parasitic chemicals, such as albendazol or ivermectin. A number of studies demonstrate that the later is toxic for the dung utilizing insects (dung beetles and flies) inhibiting the normal ecological processes: the decomposition of feces and reduction of lungworm larvae. The necessity of chemotherapy against lungworm is questionable. If we know that in sound ecological circumstances (healthy deer with good immune response on one side, and sound pasture as a well functioning biocenosis on the other), these parasites are harmless due to the long-term coevolution with their deer hosts, we may discontinue using anti-parasitics. Furthermore, because of the long food-hygienic waiting period (3-6 weeks), it is even contraindicated in terms of eco production of meat products, such as venison.

This article presents a comparative examination of the financial data found in a report on game management concerning the counties of the South-Transdanubian Region. The most healthy cost structure was found in Tolna County, even though the 2003/2004 hunting year showed a deficit. In Somogy and Baranya counties, the damage caused by game was so great that management could not compensate for it.
The recently introduced big game unit (BGU) as an economic index clearly shows the difference among big game management in Hungary's counties. The produciton of a big game unit caused a 20% loss in Somogy, 10% in Baranya, 2% in Tolna County in the financial balance for the 2003/2004 hunting year.

In the last twenty years, there has been a major change in Hungarian game management, and it became a profit-oriented activity.
This is especially true in game parks, where we would like to have very high quality stock. This is only insured through a proper level of feeding. Although many hunting areas have pasture land, they are uncultivated lands with very low production.
At the Bőszénfa hunting park, we studied the economy of normal feed production (maize, sorghum, cabbage), and realised that pasture management can be a valuable possibility for feed production.
With pasture, we could save up to 20% of our costs, and the entire management became simpler to organise.

One effect of the intensive management of forest and agricultural lands is the disappearance of the natural habitats of game species. The purpose of the management of game crop fields and meadows, as well as the feeding of game, is to compensate the shortage of food supply and to reduce game damage on cultivated lands.
Game managers expect to increase the density and the harvestable game through the systematic and professional cultivation of food plantings and game feeding. Furthermore, it is hoped that these parctices result in higher incomes for game management.
This study is based on the data of the Hungarian National Game Management Database for the period from 1997 to 2004. The paper shows the changes of the areas of game crop fields and the amounts of game feed used in Hungary. Furthermore, the correlations between game feeding parameters and the estimated and harvested numbers of the game species were investigated.
Our results show relatively low statistical relation between the game feeding and the density of the game.

The valley of the river Jaba and the hilly country of its small catchments area situated in Trans-Danube near the lake Balaton and plain of Mezőföld. It has not yet been discovered botanically till now in details. It proved to be poor of minerals and energy sources. There remained next-to-natural relic habitats under traditional land-use conditions because of its orographical, mineralogical and pedological properties.
The aim of the present study is counting of vascular plants and evaluating of steppe communities of Salvio-Festucetum rupicolae and Cynodonti-Poëtum angustifoliae from the point of view of nature conservation and utility for pasturing.

The paper starts with those arguments which underline the scientific importance of the research program entitled “Factors determining forage quality of grasses”. It summarizes the maint features of spring grass development based on the international scientific literature. It describes the methods and material of the research program.
Based on the results of the 2004 research it presents data for tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), brome grass (Bromus inermis), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and thimothy (Phleum pratense) on
- number of active leaves, at given dates,
- the sum of the length of active leaves per shoot at given dates,
- total number of leaves/per shoot developed until the end of the investigations,
- crude protein and netto energy content of the grasses in the beginning in the middle and in the end of investigation period.
Conclusions from the research results:
- the phonological development of grasses is species-specific,
- after the start of the generative development the active leaf area per shoot is declining,
1 A dolgozat az MTA Gyepgazdálkodási Bizottságának 2005. július 09-én Beregszászon (Ukrajna) rendezett tudományos előadás bővített változata
decline in crude protein content of grasses between middle April and June is continues while netto energy content declines between middle April and middle May, but it does not change after words.

The effects of different N, P and K supply levels and their combinations were examined on the hay yield and mineral element content of an established 2 year old all-grass sward in the 29th year of a long-term fertilization field experiment set up on a calcareous chernozem soil. The soil of the growing site contained around 3% humus, 3-5% CaCO3, 20-22% clay in the ploughed layer and was originally moderately well supplied with available N, K, Mg, Mn and Cu and poorly supplied with P and Zn. The trial included 4N×4P×4K=64 treatments in 2 replications, giving a total of 128 plots. The fertilizers applied were Ca-ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium chloride. The groundwater table was at a depth of 13-15 m and the area was prone to drought. In 2002, the area had 401 mm precipitation and gave 2 cuts of grass. The 1st year results of the trial were published earlier (Kádár, 2005a, b). The main conclusions can be summarised as follows:
1. As a function of N×P fertilization the two cuts of the hay yield made up 1.4-8.0 t/ha while the green herbage 5.0-24.0 t/ha. The N-fertilization was of vital importance, which increased the hay mass 5 times. The P-response was moderate in the 1st, cut while there were no K-responses at all on this soil with 135 mg/kg ammoniumlactate (AL) soluble K2O values in plough layer.
2. On those plots well supplied with PK the 100 kg/ha/yr N-treatment gave a total of 48 kg surplus hay/kg N applied. The 200 kg/ha/yr N-treatment yielded 11 kg, while the 300 kg/ha/yr N-treatment yielded 4 kg surplus hay/kg N applied. The NO3-N content of the 1st cut hay increased over permitted 0.25% level when using the maximum N-rate and made up this NO3-N form 26% of the total-N pool. The optimum PK-supplies in this site seems to be about 130-150 mg/kg AL-P2O5 and AL-K2O in plow layer with 200 kg/ha/yr N applied.
3. N-fertilization enhanced the content of N, K, Mg, Na, Mn, Cu and NO3-N, while the concentration of S, P, Al, Fe, B and Mo dropped in the primary hay. The increasing P-supply stimulated the uptake of P, Ca, Mn, Sr and Ba, while hinderned the uptake of S and Mo. The K-fertilization rose the content of K and Ba and diminished the concentration of Mo and the antagonistic metal cations like Ca, Mg and Na.
4. The NPK fertilization-induced Mo-deficiency can first of all jeopardized the fodder quality in this site. On the unfertilized plots the hay showed around 1.0 mg Mo /kg D.M., while on the N3P3K3 plots 0.1-0.2 mg/kg D.M. The P/Mo ratio lifted from 2-4 thousand up to 20 thousand. In the 2nd cut this phenomena partly disappeared, while developed the P-Zn antagonism. On P-control plots measured 15 mg/kg Zn
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dropped to 10 mg/kg while the P/Zn ratio rose from 167 up to 364.
5. The 2nd cut hay had a little yield, yet was rich in minerals having 30-50% higher average element content compared with the primary hay. However the N, Al, Fe and Mo showed 2-times higher concentrations in the 2nd cut hay. There were found extra large, 25-fold differences in hay Na content as a function of N×K supply levels under synergetic effect of N and antagonistic effect of K treatment.
6. Summarizing the above we can state that the long-term fertilization may drastically change the content and ratios of elements built in hay through synergetic or antagonistic effects. In the air-dried 1st cut hay for example, the minima-maxima concentrations of measured elements varied as follows: N 0.7-3.0%, K 1.3-3.0%, Ca 0.3-0.5%, Mg 0.13-0.21%, S 0.15-0.32%, P 0.10-0.32%; Na 50-1400, Mn 60-120, Al 50-120, Fe 70-140, Sr 8-170, Zn 6-40, Ba and B 3-6, Cu 2.5-5.5, Ni 0.4-1.4, Mo 0.1-1.0 mg/kg.

The effects of different N, P and K supply levels and their combinations were examined on the mineral element uptake of an established 2 year old all-grass sward in the 29th year of a long-term fertilization field experiment set up on a calcareous chernozem soil. The soil of the growing site contained around 3% humus, 3-5% CaCO3, 20-22% clay in the ploughed layer and was originally moderately well supplied with available N, K, Mg, Mn and Cu and poorly supplied with P and Zn. The trial included 4N×4P×4K=64 treatments in 2 replications, giving a total of 128 plots. The fertilizers applied were Ca-ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium chloride. The groundwater table was at a depth of 13-15 m and the area was prone to drought. In 2002 the area had 401 mm precipitation and gave 2 cuts of grass. The lay-out and method of the trial as well as the fertilizer responses on the hay yield and element content were published earlier (Kádár 2006). The main conclusions drawn as follows:
1. While the hay yield was basically determined by N-fertilization which lifted the hay mass 5 times compared to the N-control, the uptake of elements was drastically modified through the N×K and N×P synergistic and antagonistic interactions.
2. As a function of N×K treatments the uptake K changed for example at the 1st cut between 23-198 kg/ha, at the 2nd cut between 9-80 kg/ha. At the same time the uptake of Na fluctuated between 0.05-7.15 kg and 0.4-4.4 kg/ha, that of Mo 0.4-3.2 g/ha and 0.2-2.3 g/ha resp. As a function of N×P treatments the uptake of P changed at the 1st cut between 3-14 kg/ha, Sr between 12-388 g/ha, Mo between 0.5-4.5 g/ha. The nutrient accumulation at the 2nd cut showed an analogical picture.
3. The K-fertilization stimulated accumulation of K and Ba, while inhibited the antagonistic metal cations’ uptake of Ca, Mg and Na. The increased P-supply rose the absorption of P, S, Sr and Ba while diminished the extracted amount of Mo, which dropped down by 1/3rd compared with the control. The liberal N-supply stimulated the incorporation of N, K, Mn, Sr and Cu resulting an increase of an order of magnitude.
4. Between the two extreme supply levels (N0P0K0 and N3P3K3) there were found extreme differences in element uptake in 2002 as follows: 34-302 kg/ha K, 15-168 kg/ha N, 8-35 kg/ha Ca, 5-22 kg/ha S, 4-22 kg/ha P (9-51 kg/ha P2O5) and 3-14 kg/ha Mg. The incorporated Mn, Sr, Zn and Cu enhanced an order of magnitude on N3P3K3 plots compared to the N0P0K0 absolute control. Uptake of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Pb and Se left behind the detection limit of 1 g/ha.
5. To have 1 t air-dry hay it was used by grasses 17-35 kg K, 9-19 kg N, 3-5 kg Ca, 2.0-2.5 kg S, 1.3-2.5 kg P (3.0-5.7 kg P2O5), 1.4-1.9 kg Mg, 170-980 g Na, 90-170 g Fe, 60-120 g Mn and Al, 10-50 g Sr, 7-25 g Zn, 3-6 g Ba, B and Cu, 0.3-1.3 g Mo and 0.4-0.9 g Ni. Data illustrate the nutrient turnover of a grassland and may be used for assessing the nutrient demand of all-grass sward.

The effects of different N, P and K supply levels and their combinations were examined on the quality nutritional values and nutrient yield of an established 2 year old all-grass sward in the 29th year of a long-term fertilization field experiment set up on a calcareous chernozem soil. The soil of the growing site contained around 3% humus, 3-5% CaCO3, 20-22% clay in the ploughed layer and was originally moderately well supplied with available N, K, Mg, Mn and Cu and poorly supplied with P and Zn. The trial included 4Nx4Px4K=64 treatments in 2 replications, giving a total of 128 plots. The fertilizers applied were Ca-ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium chloride. The groundwater table was at a depth of 13-15 m and the area was prone to drought. In 2002, the area had 401 mm precipitation and gave 2 cuts of grass. The 1st year results of the trial were published earlier (Kádár, 2005a, b). The main conclusions can be summarised as follows:
1. The N-responses were decisive for both the hay quality and the hay and nutrient yields. The N-fertilizer increased the crude protein content and diminished the same time the crude fibre, crude ash and total sugar contents in the hay. The P-responses were not significant while the K-fertilization stimulated the crude ash accumulation in both cuts.
2. The hay yield of 2 cuts in 2002 amounted to 1,7 t/ha on the N0P0K0 plots not receiving any fertilizer during the 29 experimental years, while on the maximum N3P3K3 supply levels figured out 8.7 t/ha. The same time here the crude fibre increased from 532 kg/ha to 2876 kg/ha, crude protein from 113 kg/ha to 1100 kg/ha, crude ash from 132 kg/ha to 672 kg/ha, crude fat from 39 kg/ha to 173 kg/ha, while the crude fibre/crude protein ratio dropped from 4.7 to 2.6.
3. After 3 years storing the decisive part of carotine decomposed in the hay and gave as little as 0.9 mg/kg average value. The N-control gave 0.6 mg/kg, the 200 kg/ha/yr N-treatment resulted in 1.3 mg/kg, than the N-excess 300 kg/ha/yr plots showed again significantly less 0.9 mg/kg.
4. The 2nd cut hay had a little yield however, was rich in crude protein and crude ash having 50-70% higher average content compared with the primary hay. The crude fat content was 3-times higher in the 2nd cut hay, while the crude fibre about 20% less. The ratio of crude fibre/crude protein figured as an average 1.9, while in the low-quality primary hay amounted 4.2.
5. The N-fertilization depressed the content of N-free extract and acid detergent fibre (ADF) and enhanced the content of energy dependent protein (MFE), N-dependent metabolic protein (MFN) and nettoenergy (NE) parameters. The P fertilization did not cause any changes, while the K-fertilization decreased the N-free extract and the nettoenergy parameters (NE) and slightly stimulated the neutral detergent fibre (NDF) synthesis in the 2nd cut hay.

The value of a pasture is determined by natural factors as well by productional methods. In this study, natural factors, such as rainfall, temperature, altitude and soil composition, are examined - these also influence the floral composition of a pasture, which is, again, important regarding the value of a pasture. As regards productional methods, requirements of environment protection as well as professional management are emphasised on the basis of wide-scale experiments conducted in Hungary.

A nagytestű növényevők táplálkozása során keletkező erdei vadkár elviselhető mértékének meghatározása meglehetősen bizonytalan, és az érdekelt felek részéről óhatatlanul, általában számos érzelmi elemet is tartalmaz. A túlzott, vagy annak vélt nagyvad-sűrűségnek általában két, erdőgazdálkodást és természetvédelmet egyaránt érintő kihatását szokták említeni. Az egyik az, hogy lehetetlenné válik az ökológiai szempontból ténylegesen kedvezőbb és olcsóbb természetes felújítások alkalmazása, a másik pedig, hogy a vadrágás megdrágítja az erdőfelújításokat, értéktelenebb erdőket eredményez, és ráadásul a sokszor kényszerűen alkalmazott erdősítésvédő kerítések tájromboló hatásúak, vagyis a természetvédelem érdekeivel is ellentétesek.

In the last decade the animal stock decreased to half couldn't optimally utilise the disposable natural lawns. Through the changed ownership's the utilisation of the natural lawns also changed. The areas near settlements are overladed and at the same time the big distant areas are only temporally or not at all utilised. On the places in use usually the fertilisation and maintenance work are cancelled. What kind of effect has the changed utilisation and cultivation on natural lawns, do they provoke modifications on it? Looking for an answer for these questions in 2002 a lawn typological measurement was started in two separated areas in Barót Mountains.
This publication is about the observations during this monitoring work. The measurement has been made with the system of lawn typological classification of Tucra-Kovács and collaborators (1987). This classification analyses 3 factors: plant composition, facilities at production site, and the necessary technology for rising the crop. The one year long monitoring is not enough to make conclusions regarding the modification of lawn types, but the changed relations of last decade determined the natural lawn. On the places exposed to exaggerated tread the Dechampsia caespitosa is spreading, on acid soils the Nardus stricta, showing the formation of significant subtypes inside of Agrostis tenuis- Festuca rubra lawn type significant for beech tree zone.
The spreading of woody plants is much significant. The shrubs are spreading showing that the lawn areas withdrew from cultivation is progressing to natural estate, to forest.

A vaddisznóskertek az 1990-es évek kezdetétől reneszánszukat élik Magyarországon. Számos vadászatra jogosult dönt úgy, hogy újonnan létesít vaddisznóskertet, illetve a már meglévő, hosszabb ideje működő kertjét felújítja, vagy lecseréli, és helyette újat létesít. A létesítés okai többfélék lehetnek: egyrészt a vadászati-vadásztatási lehetőségek pontosabb tervezése, biztonságosabbá tétele, a már kialakult vendégkör megtartása, másrészt a kerten kívüli területeken a vaddisznó által okozott károk csökkentése lehetnek a fő okok, melyek egy új kert létesítésére ösztönzik a vadgazdálkodókat. Természetesen nem elhanyagolható szempont a vadaskertek és vaddisznóskertek létesítésénél azok gazdaságossága, a befektetés jó megtérülési lehetősége sem.

2006. április 3. és 6. között rendezte az Európai Gyepgazdálkodási Szövetség (European Grassland Federation) a 21. hivatalos konferenciáját (21st General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation) a spanyolországi Badajozban.
A Spanyol Gyepgazdálkodási Társaság (SEEP, Sociedad Española el Estudio de los Pasots) a Szövetség Végrehajtó Bizottságának (Executive Committee) jóváhagyásával a gyep termelékenységének fenntarthatóságát (Sustainable Grassland Productivity) választotta a rendezvény átfogó témájának. Közel 40 ország csaknem 300 résztvevője a téma aktualitását kellőképpen indokolja.
A szakmai program a Szövetség alapszabályának megfelelően bonyolódott hétfőtől csütörtök délig, amiből egy délutánt a szakmai tanulmányút (mid conference tour) foglalt el. Az európai gyepgazdálkodás szakirodalmát friss eredményekkel gazdagítja az a 278 tudományos dolgozat, amelyeket a konferencia idejére megjelentetett tudományos kiadvány (Sustainable Grassland Productivity – Proceedings of the 21st General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation, Badajoz, Spain, Grassland Science in Europe Volume 11. Caja de Badajoz, 847. p.) tartalmaz.
A konferencia megnyitója a mediterrán térség gyepgazdálkodási sajátosságaival foglalkozott. Ennek első része a dél-spanyol térség tradicionális fás legelőit (dehesa) tárgyalta. Bemutatta, hogy ezt a történelmi gyökerekkel rendelkező gazdálkodási módot – közel 4 millió hektáron a térségben – milyen eredménnyel sikerült a vidékfejlesztés mai igényeinek is megfelelően megőrizni (termelés /erdő, gyep, időszakos szántó, valamint a kérődzők és a sertés legeltetéses tartása/, tájmegőrzés és természetvédelem).
A megnyitó másik része a gyenge termékenységű arid klímájú mediterrán térség másik extenzívnek nevezhető gazdálkodási módját, a gabonafélék, az ugaroltatás és a juh legeltetés hármas rendszerét vizsgálta a multifunkcionális mezőgazdaság szempontjából.
A tudományos program további részét öt szekció köré szervezték:
1. A szálastakarmány-gazdálkodás szezonális problémáinak kezelése (Overcoming seasonal constraints to forage production)
2. A pillangósok szerepe és lehetőségei (Role and potential of legumes)
3. A takarmánytermesztés mennyiségi és minőségi kérdései (Production and quality aspects of different animal feeds)
4. Az állattartási módok változása a közös agrárpolitikához igazodóan (Changes in animal production systems to meet CAP reforms)
5. A gyepek és a klímaváltozás (Grassland and climate change)

Immár XX. alkalommal rendezték meg a gyepgazdálkodási világkongresszust, ez alkalommal Írország fővárosában, Dublinban, 2005. június 26. és július 1. között. A négy évente rendezett kongresszusok célja nem változott. Összegzést adni a tudomány elmúlt négy évének eredményeiről és támpontokat adni a kutatás számára a közeljövő elvárásairól.
A Gyepgazdálkodási Világszövetség (International Grassland Congress) Állandó Bizottságának (Continuous Committee) jóváhagyásával a szervezők „A gyepek mint világméretű erőforrások (Grasslands – a Global Resource)” mottót választották a kongresszus témájául. A tudományos program ennek megfelelően átfogta nem csak a gyepgazdálkodás, de az érintkező tudományterületek szélesebb körét is. Az Ír Gyepgazdálkodási Szövetség (Irish Grassland Association) és az angol Gyepgazdálkodási Társaság (British Grassland Society), mint szervezők a szakmai rendezvények formájának jó megválasztásával ügyeltek arra, hogy az előadott témakörök a téma jellegének megfelelő fórumon kerüljenek terítékre. Ennek megfelelően valamennyi résztvevőt fogadó plenáris ülések foglalkoztak három átfogó témakörrel:
1. A gyepen termelt állati termékek iránti igény
A plenáris ülés mérlegelte a gyepről származó állati termékek iránt várható igényeket 20 éves távlatban a világon és a nagy földrajzi régiók szintjén, illetve kereste azokat a kulcstényezőket, amelyek befolyásolják a változások irányát vagy mértékét.
2. Gyepek és szálastakarmányok a társadalmi jólét javításáért és a szegénység csökkentéséért
A plenáris témakör kereste azokat a főbb lehetőségeket, amelyeket a gyepek és szálastakarmányok kínálnak a fejlődő országok elmaradásának/szegénységének csökkentésében. Sikeres projekteket mutatott be különböző társadalmi-gazdasági és agro-klimatikus zónákból, és rámutatott a sikerek kulcstényezőire.
3. Az állati termék előállítás és környezetvédelem gyepeken
A téma előadói tárgyalták és értékelték azokat az irányelveket és megközelítési módokat, melyek mentén összeegyeztethető a hatékony állati termelés a környezetvédelemmel és a környezeti állapot javításával, beleértve a szennyezés-, a talaj degradáció megelőzését, a biodiverzitás javítását. Vizsgálták annak mozgásterét, hogy hogyan lehetséges egy bizonyos területen az eltérő céloknak megfelelni, avagy a különböző célokat eltérő területegységeken lenne ésszerűbb megvalósítani.

2005. augusztus 29. és 31. között rendezte az Európai Gyepgazdálkodási Szövetség (European Grassland Federation) immár 13. szimpóziumát (EGF 13th International Occasional Symposium) az észtországi Tartuban. Az Észt Gyepgazdálkodási Társaság (Estonian Grassland Society) a Szövetség Végrehajtó Bizottságának (EGF Executive Committee) jóváhagyásával a gazdálkodás és a fajdiverzitás harmonizációját választották a rendezvény címének (Integrating Efficient Grassland Farming and Biodiversity). 29 ország 168 regisztrált résztvevője a szimpóziumoknál megszokotthoz képest nagyobb látogatottságot jelez, ami elsősorban a helyszín kiválasztásának volt köszönhető (dominált az észt, litván és lengyel részvétel).
A tudományos program a szövetség alapszabályában rögzített módon bonyolódott. Hétfőn egész nap, valamint kedden és szerdán délelőtt zajlottak a szekcióülések, kedden délután pedig a szakmai tanulmányút (mid-conference tour) tette kerekké a programot.
A szimpózium címéhez és a várható érdeklődéshez igazodva a rendezvény tudományos bizottsága 3 szekcióra bontotta a programot.
1. A gazdálkodás és a természetvédelem kapcsolata
(Connecting grassland farming with nature conservation)
2. Az extenzív gyepgazdálkodás és a biodiverzitás
(Extensive /low-input/ grassland farming and biodiversity)
3. A hagyományos intenzív (átlagos és magas ráfordítású) gazdálkodás, valamint a biodiverzitás
(Conventional intensive /medium to high-input/ grassland farming and biodiversity)