Tolerance of four spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties to weed harrowing

We investigated the tolerance to weed harrowing of four spring barley varieties and examined the possible interactions between varietal weed suppressive ability and two nutrient levels. Tolerance was defined as the combined effect of crop resistance (ability to resist soil covering) and crop recovery (the ability to recover in terms of yield). The weed harrowing strategy was a combination of one pre- and one post-emergence weed harrowing. In terms of yield, the four varieties responded significantly differently to weed harrowing and the response depended on nutrient level. At the lower nutrient level, weed harrowing caused an increase in yield of 4.4 hkg ha-1 for a strong competitor (cv. Otira), while there was no effect on yield at the higher nutrient level. For a weaker competitor (cv. Brazil), weed harrowing caused no change in yield at the lower nutrient level, whereas yield decreased by 6.0 hkg ha-1 at the higher nutrient level. There were marked differences between the weed suppressive ability of the four varieties when not harrowed, with less pronounced but significant differences when harrowed. Weed harrowing did not change the weed suppressive ability of a variety. Varieties that are tall at post-emergence harrowing and have increased density after pre-emergence harrowing, are the ones that benefit most from weed harrowing

15 years of research in organic food systems in Denmark – effects on the sector and society

The Danish government has funded research in organic agriculture and food systematically since the establishment in 1996 of the Danish Research Centre for Organic Farming (DARCOF, now ICROFS, International Centre for Research in Organic Food Systems). A recent analysis of the effects of the first 3 organic research programs (DARCOF I-III, 1996-2000) (Halberg et al. 2012) was carried out with the objective to determine not only the impact of the research on the sector from farmers and advisors to industry and retail but also on society from government and regulation to NGO’s

Organic Research and Development in Denmark (1996-2010) - Effects on the Organic Sector and Society

The ICROFS (International Centre for Research in Organic Food Systems) has conducted an analysis of the effects of organic research in Denmark (1996-2010) on the Danish organic sector and on society in general. Over these 15 years, three national programs and one program with European collaboration have been implemented in Denmark, financed via special government grants that amounted to just over 500 million DKK (approx. € 67 million—or approximately $ 80 million). The analysis itself was carried out as a compilation of information from three perspectives, each of which has been independently documented: • Interviews with (representatives of) end-users of results from research and development (R&D) investigating their assessment of the challenges in the sector and solutions developed from 1996-2010 • Assessment of the R&D endeavours in different thematic areas (dairy/milk, pigs, crops, etc.) as they related to end-users and the stated challenges at that time • Documentation of the dissemination of R&D results in relation to themes and challenges in the sector The results showed very good correspondence between end-users’ perceptions of the challenges overcome in the sector, the R&D initiated in the research programmes, and the dissemination of research results and other forms of knowledge transfer. The analysis documented direct effects of the research initiatives targetting the challenges in the sector such as higher yields, weed and pest control, animal health and welfare, the potential for phasing out the use of antibiotics in Danish dairy herds and reducing the problems caused by seedborne diseases. It also describes where research did not contribute as much to overcoming challenges. In contrast, the analysis showed that the effects of the research in the organic processing industry and among relevant governmental and non-governmental organisations were of a more indirect character. Research has helped stabilize the supply and quality of raw materials at a time of growing demand and sales. Organic research also generates new knowledge and leads to new opportunities that can provide inspiration for a green conversion, product diversification and growth also in conventional agriculture. The analysis showed that research under the national research programs overall have been very applied and directed at the barriers in the sector in order to support the general market and growth conditions for the organic sector. Having laid a solid foundation, the private sector has been able to take advantage of commercial opportunities when demand grew, while adhering to the organic policy objectives of the market-driven growth in the organic sector

Miljøvurdering af konventional og økologisk avl af grøntsager - Livscyklusvurdering af produktion i væksthuse og på friland: Tomater, agurker, løg, gulerødder

Information om produkters miljøbelastning efterspørges i stigende grad både som information mellem producenter, mellemhandlere og aftagere i kæden og blandt myndigheder og forbrugergrupper. Fødevarer udgør en vigtig del af en families samlede miljøbelastning og tidligere studier har vist at der er store forskelle imellem forskellige madvarers miljøbelastning pr. kg produkt (se f.eks. www.lcafood.dk). Dette skyldes både (uomgængelige) forskelle imellem produktionsprocesserne for forskellige produkter (f.eks. mælk vs. kartofler) og forskelle i ressourceforbrug og udledninger ved forskellige produktionsmetoder for det samme produkt. Det kan forventes at produktbaseret miljødokumentation i fremtiden vil blive en blandt flere konkurrenceparametre i afsætningsleddet. Det er derfor relevant at opgøre miljøbelastningen af danske grøntsager ved brug af Livscyklusvurdering (LCA). Denne metode er egnet til at opgøre det samlede ressourceforbrug i en produkt-kæde og de dertil hørende udledninger i et overskueligt antal miljøpåvirknings kategorier pr. kg produkt leveret. I denne rapport præsenteres LCA af væksthusgrøntsager (tomater og agurker)og frilandsgrøntsager (gulerødder og løg) baseret på information fra udvalgte gartnerier i kombination med oplysninger fra DEG’s konsulenter samt kommentarer fra eksperter i branchen. Der er således opstillet modeller for konventionelt avlede tomater og agurker i moderne væksthuse med eget kraftvarmeanlæg, dyrkning i stenuldsmåtter samt med og uden recirkulering af gødningsvandet. Desuden er opstillet en model for økologisk tomat i væksthus med samme varmeforsyning men dyrket i jord tilført kompost

Fordi det virker! - Hvordan ideen om evidensbaseret praksis er drivkraft for forandring af lærerprofessionen i folkeskolen

The idea of what works in evidence based practice is one of the driving forces behind the Danish school reform 2014. However, so far there is little empirical knowledge as to how the logic of “what works” is exercised in the Danish school system. To address this concern, the article investigates empirically, how “what works” is practiced as a steering logic in a public school management in a Danish municipality. In a case study, I show how school teachers are organized in a new team structure, with the purpose of supporting the use of an evidence based teaching concept, inspired by Hattie´s Visible Learning. The use of evidence based knowledge entails that that teachers no longer have the same degree of autonomy in the school organization. In a new team structure, teachers are to prepare teaching material collectively, observe and supervise colleagues. The school management legitimizes the organizational change of the schools in the municipality with the basic narrative of evidence based practice: that knowledge about what works, should inform teaching practices. By exploring the specificities of how evidence based practice operates as a steering logic, the case study contributes to a better understanding of how evidence based practice changes the teacher profession in Danish public schools.