Soil tillage effects of pigs on grassland: Consequences for the following winter wheat crop

A central issue for ecological agriculture is the need to develop methods to evaluate resource efficiency in a systems perspective, as well as adjusting production to a level appropriate for the surrounding ecosystems. Multipurpose systems for animal husbandry may use local resources in a more efficient way, and are often adopted in advanced agricultural systems. The pig is an omnivore with a unique foraging capacity in seeking food both on the soil surface and within the soil. It is a part of the pig's natural behaviour to root in the soil, and with the right management this could reduce the need for mechanical soil tillage in crop production.