GrassTools will provide knowledge to farmers to ensure that reductions of GHG emission and nitrate leaching from grassland production will be in the upper-third of the variation space. The science behind the tools for optimizing novel perennial grass systems will be 1) determining above-and below-ground biomass production in grasses, legumes and grass-legume-forb mixtures 2) quantifying C and nitrogen (N) flows to assess and enhance soil C storage and reduce N losses 3) assessing overall climate and environmental effects at local & national level. Tools for implementation: 1) grass and legume varieties with documented C allocation to roots 2) improved algorithms for use of the Yara N-sensor in grassland 3) improved & more user friendly model to evaluate on-farm effects on soil C and N losses 4) implementation of soil C in farm-tools for Climate Check.

The output will be co-created within the project team and tested with farmers that are to implement more grassland to supply the first commercial green biorefinery. Optimal management strategies that tighten nutrient use and store soil C will be developed, and impacts on product footprints assessed. The project team covers stakeholders from farming to legal bodies, and discussion of legal framework is crucial.