Effect of calcified seaweed application on grazing preference by dairy cows

This report was presented at the UK Organic Research 2002 Conference. An experiment was carried out to determine whether the application of calcified seaweed improved the preference of organic dairy cows for pasture. Two treatments were applied in May 2001; calcified seaweed applied at 625kg/ha (C+) or no application (C-). The number of cows grazing within individual plots was recorded in July and August 2001. A significantly higher number of cows were recorded in C+ plots than in C- plots. This effect could not be explained by changes in soil or herbage analysis. There may have been additional unknown effects of the C+ treatment on herbage palatability but the results may also have been influenced by external factors such as the location of water troughs

Nachhaltige Tiergesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit im ökologischen Landbau – Bericht vom ersten Workshop des SAFO-Netzwerks

Das von der EU finanzierte SAFO-Projekt soll in Europa eine positive Entwicklung der Tiergesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit in der biologischen Tierhaltung vorantreiben. Aktuelle Forschungsresultate werden von Forschern verschiedener Fachrichtungen vorgestellt und mit Politikern, Landwirten und Konsumenten diskutiert. Aufgrund des Themenschwerpunktes sind insbesondere auch Forscher und Praktiker aus der Veterinärmedizin angesprochen. Das Thema des ersten der fünf Workshops im September 2003 war: „Sozioökonomische Aspekte der Tiergesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit im biologischen Landbau“. Ein Ziel des Gremiums ist es Empfehlungen für die Weiterentwicklung der EU-Verordnung zur ökologischen Tierhaltung abzugeben. Eine eigens dafür eingerichtete Arbeitsgruppe kam zu dem Schluss, möglichst viele Interessengruppen in diesen Prozess einzubeziehen. Im Rahmen einer Umfrage sollen sich Vertreter der Interessengruppen zum Einfluss der heutigen Richtlinien auf die Tiergesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit im biologischen Landbau unter den verschiedenen regionalen Bedingungen der europäischen Länder äussern und Vorschläge zur Weiterentwicklung der Bio-Richtlinien unterbreiten

Experiences with designing and managing organic rotation trials

This report was presented at the UK Organic Research 2002 Conference. Practical problems encountered in two long-term organic rotation trials at Aberdeen and Elgin are discussed. Compromises have had to be made in designing and managing the trials: how to include livestock and measure output, plot size, marking and fencing, discards and paths, replication, rotation length, randomisation of crop sequence, site uniformity, manoeuvrability of machines, soil compaction and exposure to pest damage

Effect of organic crop rotations on long-term development of the weed seedbank

Changes in the weed seedbank were monitored between 1991 and 1998 in two experiments that were established to compare organic crop rotations at two sites in NE Scotland. Two rotations, replicated twice at each site, were compared and all courses of both rotations were present every year. There were relatively minor changes in weed species diversity over time, but major changes in seedbank abundance. Weed seed numbers were relatively low in rotations with a high proportion of grass/clover ley. Differences in level of seedbank across the rotation were relatively predictable at Tulloch but much less so at Woodside where factors such as the effect of the grass/clover ley seemed to play a lesser role. Other factors, such as weather and its influence on the effectiveness of weed control operations, and higher populations of ground-living arthropods, may be affecting the Woodside seedbanks

Animal health challenges and veterinary aspects of organic livestock farming identified through a 3 year EU network project

From 2003-2006, an EU network project ‘Sustaining Animal Health and Food Safety in Organic Farming' (SAFO), was carried out with 26 partners from 20 EU-countries and 4 related partners from 4 candidate or new member states. The focus was the integration of animal health and welfare issues in organic farming with food safety aspects. Four very consistent conclusions became apparent: 1) The climatic, physical and socio-economic conditions vary considerably throughout Europe, leading to different livestock farming systems. This limits the possibility for technology transfer between regions, and creates several challenges for a harmonised regulation, 2) Implementing organic standards at farm level does not always ensure that animal health and welfare reach the high ideals of the organic principles, 3) To overcome these deficiencies, organic farmers and farmer organisations need to take ownership of organic values and, 4) In all participating countries, a strong need for training of farmers and in particular veterinarians in animal health promotion and organic principles was identified. The article presents a summary of papers presented at the five SAFO workshops

Diversity of organic livestock systems in Europe

There is significant diversity in livestock production across Europe, as a consequence of a range of climatic, historic and economic factors. Yet there are common standards and goals. Enlargement of the European Union has added emphasis to the importance of this diversity. Statistics representing the recent development of organic farming illustrates the considerable variation across the continent in relation to land use and the main animal species farmed. This paper examines some of the climatic and historical impacts of a diverse Europe and recom-mends a degree of flexibility in the adoption of or-ganic standards