Can organic farming help to reduce N-losses? Experiences from Denmark

This study is in two parts. In the first part, nitrogen N)losses per unit of milk and meat in Danish conventional and organic pig and dairy farming were compared on the basis of farm data. In the second part, organic and conventional dairy farming were compared in detail, using modelling. N-surpluses at different livestock densities, fodder intensities, and soil types were simulated. Finally, simulated N-surpluses were used in national scenarios for conversion to organic dairy farming in Denmark. In Part one, pig farming was found to have a higher N-efficiency than dairy farming. Organic pig production had a lower N-efficiency and a higher N-surplus per kg meat than conventional pig production. The possibilities to reduce N-loss by conversion to organic pig production therefore appear to be poor. Organic dairy farming had a higher N-efficiency and a lower N-surplus per kg milk than conventional dairy farming. Conversion from conventional to organic dairy farming may therefore reduce N-losses. In Part two, a positive correlation between livestock density and N-surplus ha−1 was found for dairy farming. For all simulated livestock densities, fodder feeding intensities and soil types, organic systems showed a lower N-surplus per unit of milk produced than conventional systems. National scenarios for dairy farming showed that the present Danish milk production could be achieved with a 24% lower total N-surplus if converted from intensive conventional farming to extensive organic farming. At the same time, N-surplus ha−1 and N-surplus (tmilk) −1 would be lowered by 50% and 25%respectively. Changing from intensive to extensive conventional dairy farming with a livestock density equal to that in the organic scenario resulted in a reduction in N-surplus ha−1 of 15%. It was concluded that a reduction in total N-loss from agriculture is possible by converting from conventional to organic dairy farming but at the cost of either lower production on the present dairy farm area, or the current production on a substantially larger area

Comparing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in organic and conventional farming systems in the Netherlands

Results are presented of a model study comparing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in organic and conventional farming systems in the Netherlands. Calculations have been performed for model farms, designed on the basis of current organic and conventional farming practices. Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions per hectare on organic farms are lower than on conventional farms, particularly in dairy farming. Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions per Mg of milk in organic dairy farming is about 80 and 90%, respectively of that in conventional dairy farming. Energy use and greenhouse gas emission per Mg product in organic crop production is 5-40 and 7-17%, respectively higher than in conventional systems. The wide ranges found in crop production reflect large differences among individual crops

Contributions of organic farming to a sustainable environment

Summary and Conclusions For each indicator organic farming is ranked at least equal to conventional farming, while in the majority of environmental indicators organic farming performs better or much better. In two cases, the subjective confidence interval could allow conventional farming to appear as the preferable system (partly due to the lack of evident data). However, when considering the aggregation level of the indicator categories, the analysis becomes more uniform. With the exception of climate and air, organic farming performs better than conventional farming in all categories. None of the indicator categories showed that organic farming performed worse. A summary assessment of all indicator categories was not carried out in the table, however, the result is clear: organic farming is, in an area-related comparison, more environmentally friendly than conventional farming. This result confirms one of the basic assumptions of the political support for organic farming, as mentioned in the introduction. On the one hand, the environmental performance of farms depends on the farming intensity, while on the other hand it depends on bio-tope management of nonproductive areas. The combination of organic farming with the conservation of semi-natural habitats and valuable field margins offers a real option to meet many environmental goals, especially biodiversity, on agricultural land

Molecular diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in onion roots from organic and conventional farming systems in the Netherlands

Diversity and colonization levels of naturally occurring arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in onion roots were studied to compare organic and conventional farming systems in the Netherlands. In 2004, 20 onion fields were sampled in a balanced survey between farming systems and between two regions, namely, Zeeland and Flevoland. In 2005, nine conventional and ten organic fields were additionally surveyed in Flevoland. AMF phylotypes were identified by rDNA sequencing. All plants were colonized, with 60% for arbuscular colonization and 84% for hyphal colonization as grand means. In Zeeland, onion roots from organic fields had higher fractional colonization levels than those from conventional fields. Onion yields in conventional farming were positively correlated with colonization level. Overall, 14 AMF phylotypes were identified. The number of phylotypes per field ranged from one to six. Two phylotypes associated with the Glomus mosseae-coronatum and the G. caledonium-geosporum species complexes were the most abundant, whereas other phylotypes were infrequently found. Organic and conventional farming systems had similar number of phylotypes per field and Shannon diversity indices. A few organic and conventional fields had larger number of phylotypes, including phylotypes associated with the genera Glomus-B, Archaeospora, and Paraglomus. This suggests that farming systems as such did not influence AMF diversity, but rather specific environmental conditions or agricultural practice

Genetic Improvement of Livestock for Organic Farming Systems

Organic farming which experienced a constant rise over the last two decades is a system based on sustainability and on a concept tending towards functional integrity. Legislation as well as the wish to produce separately from conventional farming raise the question whether organic farming should be conducted completely apart from conventional farming or not. This paper discusses the aspects that affect animal breeding under these circumstances, e.g., maintaining genetic diversity by using local breeds and possible G×E interactions which might occur when breeds adapted to conventional farming systems are used in organic farming. Ways of modelling G×E are presented, moreover examples of G×E in dairy cattle, swine, and poultry are given. Trends in selection index theory–designing multi-trait breeding goals including functional traits on one hand, and developing methods for using customised selection indices on the other hand–support breeding work for organic farming systems. It is concluded that before the technical issues can be addressed, all parties involved, farmers, consumers as well as legislators, have to agree on the socio-cultural conditions under which organic farming should be conducted

Comparison of organic and conventional farming system in term of energy efficiency

The aim of this study was to compare the energy use in cereal crop rotation in conventional and organic farming system in terms of additional energy inputs, gross energy production, energy profit and energy efficiency evaluation in years 2003 – 2005 in the stationary field experiment established on degraded Chernozem on loess in a maize – barley growing region in south west Slovakia (near Piešťany town). Increased energy inputs caused the increase of production in the Conventional Farming System. The Conventional System was more energy demanding (about 52.5%) in comparison with the ecological one. The most energy demanding crops were those amended by farm yard manure: maize for grain (21.31 GJ ha-1in the organic system, 34.18 GJ ha-1in the conventional system) and winter wheat (17.20 GJ ha-1in the organic system, 24.60 GJ ha-1in the conventional system). The highest energy gain provided maize for grain in both farming systems (179.22 GJ ha-1in the conventional system and 177.99 GJ ha-1in the organic system)

Fungi in Danish soils under organic and conventional farming

A multi-soil study was conducted in Denmark including 29 sites, 8 classified as ‘Organic’, 11 as ‘Conventional with manure and synthetic fertilisers’ and 10 as ‘Conventional with synthetic fertilisers’. The variability of fungal abundance within the three farming systems and the long-term effects of different farming systems on fungal propagules in soil were evaluated. Fungal abundance showed large variations within all three farming systems and this variability reduced the possibility to obtain general conclusions on fungal composition in soils under different farming systems. This was illustrated by the results on total propagule numbers of filamentous fungi and yeasts. Penicillium spp. and Gliocladium roseum were more abundant under organic than conventional farming, while Trichoderma spp. were most abundant in conventionally farmed soils with synthetic fertilisers. These results were not altered after adjusting for possible differences in basic soil properties like total-C and N, extractable P, CEC, base saturation and soil density. The paper discusses whether the differences in fungal abundance are characteristics of a farming system itself or associated with certain management factors being more prevalent in one farming system than the other

Poster: Dropping organic certification - effects on organic farming in Norway

Numerous studies have examined organic farmers’ characteristics, motives, attitudes and barriers related to the conversion from conventional to organic farming. Recent studies have also discussed the perceived problems and reasons stated by organic farmers for opting out of certified production. In Norway, farmers’ reasons for opting out of certified organic farming have so far just been explored on a regional level or limited to one production; most such analyses have not been published internationally. E.g., it has not been explored if the farmers in question return to conventional practices or exit farming altogether

Economic and environmental performances of organic farming system compared to conventional farming system: A case study of the horticulture sector in the Niayes region of Senegal

Horticulture production in Senegal is an important agricultural activity that is mainly located in the Niayes zone. However, the increasing use of fertilizers and pesticides to boost production in order to meet a growing demand has many implications for the environment. The recognition of the negative impact this system of production has on the health of the soil and farmers, but also on the atmosphere with the emission of GHGs, has increased in recent years and some leading NGOs have started promoting organic farming systems. Therefore, the rising level of environmental hazards from conventional farming system made it attractive to farmers in the Niayes to adopt sustainable agriculture practices based on organic farming. A whole farm model is used to study the economic and environmental performances of the organic farming system compared to the conventional farming system in the horticulture production in the Niayes region in Senegal. The gross margin is regarded as the economic indicator, while carbon emissions are regarded as environmental indicators. The results indicate that the organic farming system will be economically more attractive to farmers in the Niayes compared with the conventional farming system only when a premium price is applied to organic crops. Simulation results also reveal that there exist a “win-win” situation for conventional farmers when they go for organic farming for certain types of crops. However, environmental results based on carbon emissions reduction show that organic system is found to be more effective in mitigating climate change. Our study suggests that, through appropriate investment in agro-ecological research to improve organic management and the establishment of a local organic market for organic crops, organic farming can be a very competitive alternative to conventional farming, when it comes to healthy food production with less environmental impact in the horticultural sector. However, further studies are needed on components of sustainable intensification to see which system of production is more profitable for farmers of the Niayes region, but also beneficial for the environment, and at regional and even national levels

Financial Planning for a Farmer Undergoing Organic Conversion

The switch to organic farming may be the biggest farm management decision you ever undertake so careful planning is essential. The vast majority of organic farmers have no regrets once converted. Organic farming can be a profitable option due mainly to lower costs of production, an attractive organic farming scheme and attractive market premiums. However the change requires preparation, an attention to detail and good husbandry skills - a poor conventional farmer may make an even worse organic farmer. From the financial viewpoint, the Teagasc “Farm Business Planner” program will help you in making the decision to convert or not. Like conventional farming, organic farmers should not solely depend on unsustainable schemes and grant aid for future profits. The organic market is a “niche” but growing market and it is important to follow that market