Aarhus University study: Autumn wheat resists winter goose grazing

Research from Aarhus University indicates that autumn wheat can better withstand heavy goose grazing during the winter than previously expected. A study comparing grazed and ungrazed fields on Lolland and Falster showed that winter grazing did not result in a statistically significant reduction in crop yield.

However, the situation changes if grazing continues late into the spring. In such cases, yields decreased by approximately 7–10 percent, and grain quality suffered due to lower nitrogen and protein levels. Senior researcher Kevin Kuhlmann Clausen noted that while autumn wheat has a significant ability to recover from winter grazing, the crop is much more sensitive later in the spring. The findings suggest that mitigation efforts against goose damage should focus on the period when the crop is most vulnerable.