McDonald’s is investing in the restoration of natural grazing land (‘naturbetesmarker’) on five organic farms through Arla’s sustainability programme FarmAhead, whilst researchers from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences monitor the project over five years. The aim is to reach 4,100 hectares of restored land by 2030.

Arla and McDonald’s are launching a partnership to restore natural grazing land on five organic farms in Sweden. This is according to a press release from Arla Sweden. Through Arla’s sustainability programme FarmAhead, McDonald’s is investing in concrete measures for biodiversity at farm level, whereby overgrown land is brought back into use for grazing.

Natural grazing land is among Sweden’s most species-rich environments. As cattle move across the land, grazing and fertilising as they go, the landscape is kept open to the benefit of plants, pollinators and other species.

“Natural grazing land is among our most valuable environments for biodiversity. By restoring overgrown land and bringing grazing animals back, we can create tangible results out on the farms,” says Åse Arnbratt, head of on-farm sustainability at Arla Sweden, according to the press release.

For McDonald’s, the initiative forms part of efforts towards a more sustainable and resilient food system.

“We want to help reduce our impact whilst also strengthening the natural values that food production depends on,” says Linda Nordgren, sustainability director at McDonald’s Nordics, according to the press release.

Researchers monitoring progress
The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU, is monitoring the work on a total of 14 farms as part of Arla’s efforts on natural grazing land over a five-year period. Monitoring is carried out through aerial photography and repeated field surveys, in which vegetation and species composition are recorded on an ongoing basis at permanent sample plots.

“We collect data through standardised field surveys at permanent sample plots, where vegetation and species are recorded over time. This makes it possible to analyse changes in species composition and track the effects of the restoration work,” says Anders Glimskär, researcher at SLU, according to the press release.

Arla covers remaining costs
Arla’s work on natural grazing land supplements the support farmers can receive from the Swedish County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen) for restoration. Whilst the County Administrative Board covers part of the costs, Arla typically finances the remaining share, around 30 per cent, so that the farmer receives full cost coverage for the restoration measures.

So far, Arla farmers have restored around 300 hectares of natural grazing land, whilst a further 200 hectares await approval from the County Administrative Board. The aim is to reach around 4,100 hectares of restored land by 2030.

The partnership between Arla and McDonald’s extends beyond Sweden. In the UK, the two companies collaborate on feed strategies as well as nature and biodiversity, whilst in Denmark they work together on measures to improve feed efficiency.

By Maja Løvstrup
Photo: Arla Sweden