Potentials of Grassland-Based Livestock Farming in Switzerland—A Scenario Comparison

As roughage consumers, ruminants have the unique ability to convert raw materials that are otherwise inedible for humans into valuable food products, thereby making them crucial to Swiss agriculture, particularly in mountainous regions. This article reviews the current state of grassland-based livestock farming in Switzerland and provides an overview of several studies that explore potential future scenarios for livestock production, along with their projected impacts. The scenarios discussed illustrate how grassland-based livestock systems could serve as a viable alternative for promoting more sustainable livestock production in the future. All of the studies examined justify grassland-based farming within the framework of a “feed-no-food” strategy, in which arable land is prioritized for human food production. This approach has several consequences: reduced availability of animal feed, fewer livestock, an increase in arable land for human food production, higher levels of plant-based food output, and enhanced self-sufficiency. However, these scenarios also call for a significant reduction in livestock production and consumption, which hinges on the willingness of society, the economy, and policymakers to embrace such changes.