Effect of crop management practices on the sustainability and environmental impact of organic and low input food production systems

While organic farming can reduce many of the environmental problems caused by agriculture, organic farming also includes some practices which are questionable in terms of environmental effects. Organic farming practices (rotations, fertilisation regimes, cover crop use) can differ significantly and this leads to large differences in its environmental effects. This leaves considerable scope to improve the environmental effects of organic farming. The environmental aspects of organic farming are discussed, and model simulations are used to illustrate how even moderate changes in organic rotations can have large effects on sustainability, here measured by a simple index of nitrogen lost by leaching relative to nitrogen harvested by the crops. In WP3.3.4 we are working to improve model simulation of organic rotations, and in WP7.1 we are making environmental assessment of organic cropping practices tested in the QLIF project, using model simulations and other approaches

Soil Fertility: Organic vs. Conventional Farming Systems in Vojvodina, northern Serbia

The aim of this study was to examine on-farm the influence of organic farming systems on soil fertility, in order to recommend agrotechnical practices that will contribute to increase soil fertility, thus the yield and quality of cultivated plants. The survey was conducted at 7 representative farms in the system of control and certification in Vojvodina, northern Serbia, and within them, 55 production fields with different history of farming practices. Optimal to high soil fertility found in average in all investigated sites indicates that there are necessary natural preconditions for successful organic farming. The results showed high variability in soil fertility, both, between organic farming systems and between different sites. Significant differences in soil fertility between organic and conventional production, have not been found

Farming Practices Correctness Indicator for Family Farms in Poland

The aim of the paper is to examine the state of affairs in farming practices in the sector of commercial farms in Polish Agriculture. Analysis of farming practices and farmers opinions on their appropriateness was based on the results of the survey in the sample of 721 farms from different regions of the country. Farming practices related to crop production, animal husbandry, farm management and environment were measured against the ideal model drawn from the Integrated Farming System guidelines.farming practices, Integrated Farming System, Farming Practices Correctness Indicator, Farm Management,

Organic farming practices and climate change adaptation

The need to adapt to climate change is one of the main challenges facing the future of agriculture. Even if strong and effective mitigation measures were taken, even if greenhouse gas emissions dropped to zero immediately, the climate would continue to change for decades. This is why adaptation is necessary. If global warming can be kept to a moderate level, our need to adapt might primarily reflect gradual changes; but if temperatures rise sharply, adaptation measures will necessarily involve some fundamental transformations in agricultural production. Moreover, as the effects of climate change can vary greatly at local and regional levels, even moderate global warming can trigger fundamental changes in some places

No Till and Organic Farming Improve Soil Properties but Reduce Crop Yield Compared to Conventional Farming in a Swiss Farm Network

Soils are of vital importance for sustainable food production. In order to maintain or improve soil quality, it is necessary to develop strategies for a sustainable use of soil. Alternative cropping practices such as reduced tillage and improved crop rotation are more and more adopted with the aim of decreasing the impact of agriculture on the environment. However, their on-the-ground impact in Swiss farming systems still has to be assessed. In this study, we quantified the impact of three farming systems (conventional farming, no-till, and organic farming) on plant and soil chemical, biological and physical properties. Our study included 20 fields for each farming system. All selected fields were cultivated with winter wheat the year of sampling. Soil was sampled at four layers, 0-5 cm, 5-20 cm, 20-25 cm, 25-50 cm. The main variables analysed were grain yield, soil nutrient availability, organic carbon stocks, bulk density, aggregation, porosity and soil biology. This was complemented with a comprehensive survey to collect information about cropping practices at field and farm scale, including organic matter inputs, fertilisation, tillage, phytosanitary treatments, and crop rotation.Our results show a significant influence of cropping practices on plant and soil properties. Wheat yield in no till and organic systems was reduced by 10% and 30% compared to conventional systems. Bulk density was higher in no-till than in ploughed fields in the 5-20 cm layer but similar in the subsoil. A strong stratification with depth of nutrients and soil organic carbon was observed in no-till fields. No-till and organic fields showed larger soil aggregates and higher microbial biomass in the surface layer (0-5 cm). Mycorrhizal colonisation of wheat roots was on average 50% higher in organic fields. However, no differences in carbon stock in the 0-20 cm layer was observed and the ratio organic matter / clay shows a high variability (from poor to good) and was not dependent on the farming system.Our results show that an improvement of soil properties can be achieved with alternative cropping practices such as no-till and organic farming, but also depends on the other practices adopted by the farmers, such as input of organic amendments, crop rotation diversification, residue management

Rights in a Cloud of Dust: The Value and Qualities of Farm Data and How Its Property Rights Should Be Viewed Moving Forward

Historically, technology growth has been slower in agriculture than other industries. However, a rising demand for food and an increase in efficient farm practices has changed this, leading to a rise in precision farming technologies. Now, entities that provide services or information to farmers need precision farming technologies to compete, and more farmers are adopting precision farming technologies. These technologies help farmers, but questions still remain about ownership rights in the data that farmers create

Farming Practices of Vegetables: a Comparative Study in Four Regions of East Java and Bali Provinces

Agronomic and ecological aspects play important roles in vegetable production, because the aspects will be used for determining suitable interventions. This study aims to provide current farmers\u27 practices of vegetable production, particularly for agronomic and ecological aspects of chilli and tomato in four regions of East Java and Bali. This study uses of analytical tool of descriptive approach by comparing and contrasting each production practices across regions. Data were compiled from a field survey of 360 farmers during 2013-2014. Results of analysis were presented in graphical and tabular forms. Farmers mostly selected hybrid varieties of vegetables because of economic reasons, such as high yield, good appearance and high number of fruits. Anthracnose and late blight were perceived as the most important disease in chilli and tomato respectively. Farmers controlled pests and diseases using pesticides. In general, farmers perceived that irrigation was one of limiting factors of vegetable farming. Poor drainage was one of the crucial issues in Bali. Farmers mostly sold vegetable once harvested. Post-harvest handling was still traditional, where farmers still less pay attention on post-harvest, even though they observed the economic advantage of post-harvest. Based on the existing practices, a special extension on vegetable production needs to be formulated appropriately, based on the specific characteristics of each region

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

Contribution of integrated farm management (IFM) to Defra objectives

A farming system comprises a complex of interrelated and interacting factors. Any study of an isolated part of the system will not provide adequate understanding of the behaviour of the entire system and interactions may be equally or more important than individual components. There is therefore a requirement for the development of integrated approaches and practices to help farming systems adapt to, eliminate or reduce the negative impacts of production on the environment. This must be achieved whilst maintaining the economic viability of the farm enterprise. Our analysis has confirmed that IFM techniques generally have far more beneficial than adverse effects on current Defra policy objectives. However, there are some notable ‘conflicts’ where a technique that has a large beneficial effect in one policy area has a large negative effect in another. Carbon footprinting is used to quantify the impact of some integrated farming practices

Fearless: Anastasia Maisel

Working to create a meaningful, respectful, and community-minded Day of Service in honor of Gettysburg College student Emily Silverstein ’11, and continually involved in different farming and food initiatives in the Gettysburg area to promote food justice and environmentally friendly farming practices, Anastasia Maisel ’14 fearlessly gives her time, energy, and passion to promoting social justice on and off campus. [excerpt