Seminar Emma Windey: Work-in-progress: Understanding the drivers and barriers to multifunctional grassland adoption among Dutch dairy farmers

In the Netherlands, most agricultural grasslands are intensively managed monocultures of perennial ryegrass, optimized for cattle feed but limited in ecosystem service provision. Increasing grassland biodiversity—through herb-rich sowing or input reduction—can enhance services like drought resistance, reduced need for (artificial) fertilizer, soil health, and might even benefit animal-health. Despite these advantages, adoption of multifunctional grasslands remains low. While ecological benefits are well-documented, less is known about the behavioral factors influencing farmers’ decisions in this space. This research will explore the adoption behavior of Dutch dairy farmers regarding multifunctional grasslands, focusing on individual-level drivers and barriers. The research aims to better understand where farmers are in their decision-making process, and what shapes their choices. Insights from this study may inform more effective interventions to support biodiversity transitions in agriculture.