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Table D.1: Current and recent Organic Research projects in UK |
Lead Contractor | Project title | Customer Code | Start date | End date | Collaborating contractors | Funder | Key words | Project summary | Project Specific Website |
ADAS (Boxworth) | Improving N use & performance of arable crops on organic farms using an expert group approach | OF0178 | 01-Jan-99 | 31-Dec-01 | University of Nottingham, EFRC. | Defra | crops, nitrogen | The overall aim of this study was to improve the performance of arable organic cropping systems by identifying acceptable changes in farming practice which increase availability of N for crop uptake and decrease N losses to the environment. Arable organic farms were selected for studies on estimated N availability and N losses for representative rotations in use. Estimates were then be made for the most representative organic rotation on each farm of N availability through each cropping season, together with N lost as nitrate and ammonia from each rotation. Aspects of rotations for which N use and crop performance could be improved were identified in order to quantitatively estimate the degree of improvement in gross margins and N losses and to develop these changes into a form which was acceptable to the farmers concerned. | |
ADAS (Boxworth) | Development of disease control strategies for organically grown field vegetables ( DOVE) | OF0168 | 01-Jan-99 | 30-Jun-02 | HDRA | Defra | vegetables, disease | There were three main objectives. 1. Review of the significance of disease in organically grown field vegetables and the potential effectiveness of current control strategies under conditions of increased production. A search of UK and world literature was conducted and information collated to produce a review and a list of major disease problems threatening organic producers. 2. Evaluation of novel techniques and strategies for control of diseases in organically grown field vegetables. Laboratory and field studies were conducted to develop improved disease control strategies. 3. Monitoring of disease development in organic crops in relation to rotation and size of enterprise. Observations on disease progress and economic significance were made on a range of vegetable crops grown in a standard rotational sequence; each phase represented each year of the study to allow observations on brassicas, alliums, legumes and potatoes. | |
ADAS (Gleadthorpe) | Workshop and desk study to appraise technical difficulties associated with organic breeder flocks and organic hatching | OF0336 | 10-Feb-03 | 09-Nov-03 | | Defra | poultry | The aims of the project will be achieved through a combination of workshops and a review of the scientific literature on conventional breeder flocks and hatching. In the latter part of the work, the information will be assessed to see if the findings are transferable to an organic situation. | |
ADAS (Gleadthorpe) | Organic farming - technology transfer | OF0405 | 28-Feb-03 | 31-Aug-03 | IGER, EFRC, HDRA | Defra | environment, soil fertility | This project addresses two separate issues: (a) production of a booklet for farmers/advisers on managing soil fertility in organic farming and (b) production of a report summarising the environmental impacts of organic farming. | |
ADAS (Gleadthorpe) | Modelling manure NPK flows in organic farming systems | OF0197 | 01-Sep-00 | 31-Mar-02 | EFRC | Defra | manure | The main objective of this project was to produce a tool for quantifying for, and demonstrating to, (organic) farmers the main N (and P and K) loss pathways from manure, the size of the losses and the influence of management practices on these losses. The final product was a computer model that quantifies NPK flows around the farm from excretion by the animal though housing and manure storage, and after land application. The model could be used either in workshops (as an aid to discussing the issues of NPK management) or used by advisors and/or farmers, or policy makers. | |
ADAS (Gleadthorpe) | Understanding soil fertility in organically farmed soils | OF0164 | 01-Apr-99 | 31-Jul-02 | IGER, University of Wales Bangor, HDRA | Defra | soil | The main objective of the project was to provide a better understanding of the nutrient cycling aspects of soil fertility in organically managed soils, targeting the processes involved and their controlling factors (including the role of biological diversity). This should enable development of advice for the better utilisation of organically (and conventionally) managed soils, in terms of best strategies to encourage efficient nutrient cycling and determining the value (or otherwise) of soil tests for assessing soil nutrient supply. | http://www.adas.co.uk/soilfertility |
ADAS (Gleadthorpe) | The development of improved guidance on the use of fertility building crops in organic farming | OF0316 | 01-May-02 | 30-Apr-05 | IGER, Duchy College, Abacus Organic Associates | Defra | nitrogen, fertility building crops | The overall objective of this project is to provide guidelines to enable organic farmers to better estimate the nitrogen supply to a rotation following fertility building crops. This will be done by a mix of literature review, empirical measurements, model development and farmer participation. The results will be of value to the organic producer, providing a better understanding of nitrogen accumulation under fertility building crops and its subsequent release. Implications for pest and disease in the rotation will also be included. Advisory guidelines will be produced as a part of the project. | |
ADAS (Gleadthorpe) | A study tour of organic poultry production in France - current & future implementation of standards & EU legislation | OF0303 | 04-Dec-00 | 28-Feb-01 | | Defra | poultry | The objectives were 1) to gather information on current organic poultry Standards in France, any national derogations to Regulation ( EC) 1804/1999 and the timescale by which French organic poultry producers will be expected to fully comply with Regulation ( EC) 1804/1999; 2) to gather information on production techniques commonly used by organic poultry producers in France and to compare production techniques with those used in the UK; 3) to gather information on economic 'drivers' affecting the direction and speed of development of Standards (a full economic analysis will not be given but major differences in the prices of inputs and outputs will be quantified), and; 4) to gather information on the attitudes and concerns of representatives of breed companies, producers and certification bodies to future EU requirements to rear pullets in an organic system. | |
ADAS (Gleadthorpe) | Validation of the HEN model for organic laying hens and assessment of nutrition in organic poultry ( CTE0202) | OF0327 | 01-Aug-02 | 31-Jul-05 | | Defra | poultry, eggs | The main objective of this project is to provide information to Defra in support of the Department's policy to enhance the sustainability of, and remove technical constraints upon, organic farming in the UK. The project, which is concerned with organic egg production, will do this through a number of key aims, each of which is designed to apply knowledge developed for conventional egg production, to the organic sector. | |
ADAS (Gleadthorpe) | Optimising the synergism between organic poultry production and whole farm rotations, including home grown protein | OF0163 | 08-Feb-99 | 31-Mar-02 | | Defra | poultry, feeding | The objectives of the research were 1) to review the scientific literature on home grown protein sources so as to identify their maximum inclusion rate in organic rations for laying hens and meat birds. This was done both for the home mixing of rations (i.e., limited treatment options for the removal of anti-nutritive factors from the raw ingredients) and as produced by specialist compounders. 2) To identify the optimum position for poultry in a whole farm rotation (including the best strategies for use of poultry manures in sustaining soil fertility and minimising nitrogen loss, provision of pasture and the production of plant protein sources). 3) To promote management techniques to producers who have little or no experience of poultry as they apply to an organic system of poultrymeat or egg production. | |
ADAS (Gleadthorpe) | Effect of breeding suitability, system design & management on welfare & performance in traditional & organic poultry meat | OF0153 | 01-Oct-98 | 31-Mar-02 | | Defra | poultry, breeding | This study will aim to systematically identify breeds, first crosses and/or hybrids suited for use in extensive poultrymeat production, in terms of bird welfare, growth profile, energy and protein utilisation efficiency, carcass conformation and meat quality. The study will also aim to establish aspects of system design and management that are important in optimising bird welfare, range usage and economic performance. Research will consider the differing requirements for barn, free range, traditional free range and organic poultrymeat production. | |
ADAS (High Mowthorpe) | Stonechair Organic Unit | | 01-Jan-00 | 31-Dec-02 | | Marks & Spencer plc | crops, vegetables, beef cattle | A collaborative project between Marks & Spencer and ADAS to promote organic production, through the conversion of a 95 ha mixed farming unit. The project has produced leaflets and run a series of open events plus small plot trials to evaluate organic field vegetable production. The project was aimed at farmers thinking of switching to organic production as well as consumers interested in food production. | |
ADAS (Pwllpeiran) | To improve knowledge of pest and weed control in organic crop production in Wales. | | 09-Jan-02 | 31-May-03 | | Organic Centre Wales, Farming Connect | fruit, vegetables | The aim of this project is to compile information that will be valuable for the development of organic horticulture in Wales. The project will bring together growers, advisors and researchers in a series of workshops to share information relating to organic crop production. Through group discussion, the workshop will identify the main technical problems and current knowledge of control methods. Following the workshop a literature review will be undertaken in order to provide the basis for the production of fact sheets, and to identify areas where further investigation is a priority. | |
ADAS (Pwllpeiran) | Environmental and socio-economic effects of organic farming | | 09-Jan-02 | 31-Dec-05 | | National Assembly of Wales Government | environment, economics | This project, commissioned by the Welsh assembly Government, is to assess the effects of the Organic Farming Scheme in Wales through two environmental surveys (baseline and 2 years later) and a socio-economic survey | |
ADAS (Pwllpeiran) | Market Intelligence Newsletter | | 09-Jan-02 | 31-May-03 | | Organic Centre Wales, Farming Connect | knowledge transfer | To produce 6 monthly editions of a market intelligence newsletter for organic farmers in Wales. Each edition will be bilingual except for the classified advertisements. To load the newsletter onto the OCW website and to send it to recipients' email addresses. | |
ADAS (Pwllpeiran) | Conversion of Organic Database to internet access. | | 09-Jan-02 | 31-May-03 | | Organic Centre Wales, Farming Connect | knowledge transfer | To convert the Organic Database currently held by ADAS Wales at Pwllpeiran to internet access. | |
ADAS (Pwllpeiran) | Farming Connect Demonstrations Pwllpeiran ( ADAS) and Middleton Hall ( NBGW) | | 09-Jan-02 | 31-May-03 | | Organic Centre Wales, Farming Connect | knowledge transfer | Monitoring of the ADAS Pwllpeiran organic unit, physical and financial performance. Open Days for Tech transfer | |
ADAS (Pwllpeiran) | The control of ecto-parasites and foot rot in organic livestock systems. | | 09-Jan-02 | 31-May-03 | | Organic Centre Wales, Farming Connect | cattle, sheep, parasites | The objective of this project is to review current, permitted practices to treat ecto-parasites in terms of animal health and environmental impact. To investigate the potential of Integrated Pest Management. A telephone survey will be conducted to assess current practices within the organic livestock sector in Wales with regards to permitted chemicals. | |
ADAS (Pwllpeiran) | Livestock breeds and organic farming systems | | 09-Jan-02 | 31-May-03 | | Organic Centre Wales, Farming Connect | sheep, cattle, breeding | To determine the important production objectives for organic sheep, beef & dairy production e.g., milk production, parasite resistance. To review current literature in the performance of different breed, with particular reference to sustainable farming systems. To review current situation and market potential for organic niche products e.g. wool, meat, milk. | |
ADAS (Pwllpeiran) | Developments in Pest Control for Organic Crop Production in Wales - Controlling Soil Borne Pests and | | 01-Jan-04 | 31-Mar-04 | | Organic Centre Wales, Farming Connect | crops, pests | This project will produce a series of guides on control of soil borne pests for organic farmers and growers. It will also identify priority areas for of new methods of pest control on organic sites. 3 meetings will be held to discuss the content of the guides and the direction of future work with groups of organic growers in North, Mid and South Wales. | |
ADAS (Pwllpeiran) | Developing the use of composted woodchip as a substrate for growing edible mushrooms | | 01-Jan-04 | 31-Mar-04 | | Organic Centre Wales, Farming Connect | mushrooms, compost | In 2003, ADAS Pwllpeiran completed a study for the WDA on the use of wood chip for livestock bedding, which included the composting of the resultant manures. This project will take forward results from this work by evaluating woodchip compost as a substrate to produce edible mushrooms. It will also assess the commercial viability of this production as a method of farm diversification. | |
ADAS (Redesdale) | A review of current European research on organic farming | OF0171 | 01-Oct-98 | 30-Jun-99 | EFRC, HDRA | Defra | policy | To compile a searchable database of current organic farming research projects across Europe. | http://organic.adas.co.uk/ |
ADAS (Redesdale) | Sustainable organic hill and upland farming - a collaborative case study approach | OF0326 | 01-Oct-02 | 30-Sep-05 | | Defra | beef, sheep | Working with a reference group of 6 progressive organic farmers, the objective of the project is to analyse the physical , financial, structural and management factors which contribute to economically sustainable systems in the hills and uplands | |
ADAS (Redesdale) | Organic production in the hills and uplands | OF0319 | 01-Apr-02 | 31-Mar-05 | | Defra | beef, sheep, economics | The project covers the continuation and further development of core assessments within the organic unit at ADAS Redesdale. The objective is to assess the environmental and production implications of organic management, including the integration of Countryside Stewardship with organic production. | |
ADAS (Redesdale) | Organic beef and sheep production | OF0147 | 01-Apr-98 | 31-Mar-01 | | Defra | beef, sheep, economics | Conversion of 400 ha, 600 breeding ewes (in 3 flocks) and 35 suckler cows was completed in 1993. The unit is now recognised as a valuable source of research and information on upland organic production. The continuing objective was to assess the effects of converting a hill/upland farming system to organic management. This took account of longer term trends in grassland and livestock performance, the continuing evolution of markets for organic produce and the development of production standards for organic livestock. Detailed measurements were made of physical and financial performance, animal health and welfare, and botanical change. Specific investigations were undertaken into parasite control and trace element nutrition. Data from 10 commercial organic farms linked to the main project was used to broaden the information base, particularly for financial performance. | |
ADAS (Redesdale) | Efficient use of animal manures within an upland organic system | OF0187 | 01-Apr-99 | 31-Mar-02 | | Defra | manure | The research compared the effects of manure (slurry and FYM) treatment (aeration and composting) on agronomic performance and soil fertility when applied to an upland ryegrass/white clover sward | |
ADAS (Redesdale) | Optimising the production and utilisation of forage for organic livestock | OF0328 | 01-Aug-02 | 31-Aug-04 | IGER, Abacus Organic Associates | Defra | beef, sheep, forage | The overall objective is to review existing information on forage production and utilisation in order to deliver more efficient, sustainable and environmentally friendly output from organically managed livestock. A database model will be developed to predict the net gains and losses from different systems and management strategies. | |
ADAS (Redesdale) | Control of internal parasites in organic livestock without the use of pharmaceutical anthelminthics. | OF0185 | 01-Jan-00 | 31-Dec-03 | | Defra | beef, sheep, parasites | The research will establish the extent to which internal parasites can be controlled solely through management alone, and the constraints which apply in commercial practice, with a view to developing integrated, preventative control strategies. Detailed epidemiological data will be collected on selected `focus ` farms representing a range of organic farm types. Replicated experiments will be undertaken, to quantify the effect of dietary manipulation, novel crops, and drenching with tannins, on the development of parasitic gastro-enteritis ( PGE). The collaborating research team has a strong reputation across scientific, extension, producer and educational communities, and brings together a range of specialisms, in a multidisciplinary approach. The use of commercial organic focus farms will provide an excellent platform for technology transfer. | |
ADAS (Terrington) | Review of obstacles to achieving the Defra action plan targets for organic cereals | OF0334 | 01-Feb-03 | 31-May-03 | EFRC | Defra | cereals, crops | Quantify the current supply and trading position by cereal species, collect evidence of constraints to a higher UK output, consider what could be done to overcome the constraints and test the effects of interventions in key farm types. | |
ADAS (Terrington) | Testing the sustainability of stockless arable organic farming on a fertile soil | OF0145 | 01-Apr-98 | 31-Mar-01 | | Defra | crops, vegetables, stockless, economics | The main objective of this proposal was to test the sustainability of a stockless arable rotation on a fertile soil. The core experiment was supported by data collection and analysis from ten commercial organic farms on a wider range of soil types and with a variety of rotations. There were also be a number of specific experiments examining particular constraints to sustainability, for example the establishment of legumes and the control of perennial weeds. | |
ADAS (Terrington) | Extension to OF0145: testing the sustainability of stockless arable organic farming on a fertile soil | OF0301 | 01-Apr-01 | 31-Mar-02 | | Defra | crops, vegetables, stockless, economics | A continuation for one year of Defra project OF0145 | |
ADAS (Terrington) | Assessing the sustainability of a stockless arable rotation | OF0318 | 01-Apr-02 | 31-Mar-05 | | Defra | crops, vegetables, stockless, economics | The overall objective is to identify and overcome factors limiting the sustainability of a stockless arable rotation. Specific objectives are to: 1. Quantify crop yield and quality.2. Quantify the financial performance of the rotation and contrast with Farm Business Survey data from comparable conventional arable farms. 3. Monitor and evaluate indicators of sustainability; particularly for nutrients, weeds, pests and diseases.4. Communicate results, and their implications, to DEFRA, other research contractors, farmers, advisers and organic certification bodies. This project is linked to OF0322. | http://www.stocklessorganic.co.uk/ |
ADAS (Terrington) | Sustainable organic arable farming - a case study approach | OF0322 | 01-Oct-02 | 30-Sep-05 | | Defra | crops, economics | Working with a reference group of 6 progressive organic farmers, the objective of the project is to analyse the physical , financial, structural and management factors which contribute to economically sustainable arable organic production. Linked to project OF0318. | |
ADAS (Terrington) | Agronomic strategies and the economics of organic sugar beet | BBRO 00/04 | 04-Jan-00 | 28-Feb-04 | British Sugar plc | British Beet Research Organisation ( BBRO) | sugar beet, crops | The objectives of the work are to a) consult growers currently producing sugar beet on organically registered land and to use their experience to guide the way the project develops, b) identify challenges for organic beet production on different soil types in the UK and develop initial agronomic strategies to meet these challenges, and c) assess the economics of production. Attention is being given to crop establishment, particularly fungal seedling infections, weed control, virus yellows severity and beet quality. | |
ADAS (Terrington) | Companion cropping for organic field vegetables | OF0181 | 01-Jan-99 | 31-Dec-01 | EFRC | Defra | fertility building crops, companion crops | This study aimed to determine the effects of fertility-building companion crops, grown in permanent strips on a bed system, on the nutrient accumulation and incidence of damage from pests and diseases in 3 major field-scale vegetable crops. | |
ADAS (Terrington) | Optimising production systems for organic pig production | OF0169 | 01-Apr-99 | 30-Sep-02 | Newcastle University, Eco-Stopes, Eastbrooke Farm | Defra | pigs | This study will aim to generate the scientific and financial information required to facilitate increased organic pig production in a biological and economically efficient manner. | |
ADAS (Terrington) | Energy use in organic farming systems | OF0182 | 01-Sep-99 | 31-Mar-00 | | Defra | energy | Objectives were: 1) To check the agronomic assumptions in an existing energy use model, particularly for inputs, cultivations, and to incorporate any updates into the model. 2) Produce new models for conventional and organic upland livestock and field vegetables. The conventional field vegetables to be for individual crops to reflect specialisation in the industry, the organic to be based on the OF0126 crop rotation with the longest fertility building period. 3) Apply the model predictions to the data from the Defra funded organic conversion projects OF0145 (stockless arable), OF0147 (upland beef and sheep), OF0146 (dairy) and OF0126 (field vegetables, rotation with the longest fertility building period only). To show the energy requirements of organic and conventional production systems | |
ADAS (Terrington) | Review of Organic Farming Research priorities for Scotland | ADA/841/03 | 01-Aug-03 | 31-Mar-04 | SQW Ltd | SEERAD | policy | The Scottish Executive commissioned this study to evaluate organic farming research needs for Scotland. The study is a combination of desk-based review combined with visits to relevant UK organisations and interviews with key personnel. The study will has due regard to ongoing research activities elsewhere in the UK and elsewhere, where these may have an impact on Scottish organic farming production. | |
Arable Research Centres (Now part of "The Arable Group") | Agronomic guidelines for the production of organic wheat | 2237 | 01-Sep-99 | 31-Dec-02 | | HGCA | wheat, grain quality, crops | This project examined many aspects of growing organic wheat to improve its yield and quality for both breadmaking and feed markets. It addressed the agronomic problems that are unique to the organic sector and also explores methods of improving fertility (by green manuring principals) in the cropping sequences. Whilst initially the work will concentrate on wheat it is hoped that in the near future parallel studies will commence on other cereals and pulse crops | |
British Trust for Ornithology ( BTO) | Factors influencing biodiversity within organic and conventional systems of arable farming. | OF0165 | 01-Jan-99 | 30-Sep-04 | Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (Merlewood), University of Oxford, Royal Agricultural College, EFRC, Soil Association | Defra | environment, biodiversity, birds | The objectives are: (1) Quantify the abundance and diversity of target species groups (plants, invertebrates, birds and bats) on a representative sample of organic and conventional arable farms. (2) Quantify the relative abundance and potential quality for biodiversity of non-crop habitats on a representative sample of organic and conventional farms. (3) Determine the extent to which differences in biodiversity between organic and conventional arable systems are associated with differences in extent and management of non-crop habitats rather than with management of the cropped land and, as far as possible, ascertain whether any differences are a consequence of rotational differences or other factors such as inputs. (4) Determine how conversion, expressed as duration of organic management, influences abundance of target species groups on organic farms. (5) Identify features of organic systems that are associated with biodiversity benefits and predict the ecological and agro-economic implications of incorporating these within conventional farming systems and, where appropriate, of enhancing and maintaining them within organic systems. | |
CABI Bioscience | Organic Farming research database | OF0160 | 01-Sep-99 | 28-Feb-02 | | Defra | knowledge transfer | To create a comprehensive bibliographic database on all aspects of organic farming research relevant to the UK (and temperate regions) covering literature published in the last 25 years. The database will be created from a subset of the general agriculture database, CAB ABSTRACTS, and supplied on CD- ROM in industry standard format. All necessary software will be included. | |
Centre for Rural Research, University of Exeter | Impacts of Organic Farming on the Rural Economy ( CTE0216) | RE0117 | 17-Dec-02 | 16-Dec-04 | University of Plymouth, HDRA & Elm Farm | Defra | economics, socio-economics | The research will explore the extent to which organic farming gives rise to greater economic and socio-economic linkages with rural economies (and the local economy), as a result contributing to rural development. It will also examine claims that organic farming is associated with qualitative as well as quantitative differences in employment patterns and social networks in rural communities. | |
Central Science Laboratory ( CSL) | Review on the possible interactions of pests, diseases & weeds in cereals grown in organic & conventional agriculture | OF0194 | 01-Feb-01 | 31-Mar-01 | ADAS, EFRC, NIAB | Defra | cereals, pests, diseases, weeds, crops | Objectives were: 1. To review the current state of knowledge on the status and distribution of pests, diseases and weeds in organic and conventionally grown cereals. 2. To assess the likely rate of expansion of organic cereal production and the areas where this is most likely to occur, together with any likely or consequent change in the distribution of conventionally grown cereals. 3. To assess the distribution of specific cereal cultivars and species in organic and non-organic production in relation to their impact on disease, pest and weed distribution. A specific sub-objective will be to assess the likely impact of the increased use of organically produced seed on seed-borne diseases. 4. To try to forecast whether or not the changes in cereal production will affect the current status and distribution of pests, diseases and weeds, and, if so, in which major directions. 5. To make recommendations for future research, both to ensure that the forecast under paragraph 3 is correct and that any negative trends are highlighted and, if possible, dealt with. | |
Central Science Laboratory ( CSL) | Integrated grain storage - technology transfer for organic farming | OF0176 | 01-Apr-99 | 31-Mar-01 | HDRA | Defra | cereals, grain, storage, pests, crops | This study aimed to highlight major post-harvest problems experienced by organic grain growers in the UK, as well as summarising the information currently available to organic growers. Objectives were 1. Highlighting of the main post-harvest problems experienced by UK organic grain growers. 2. Collation of available published information into a more convenient form that will enable growers to tackle storage problems more effectively and identification of areas requiring a minimum of modification to ensure smooth technology transfer from the conventional to the organic sector. The review will take into account conclusions of a desk study on the storage of organically produced crops completed previously by HDRA and findings of MAFF-funded research into storage of conventionally grown grain. 3. Identification of areas where organic methods cannot adequately replace conventional pest control measures and suggestions for areas requiring further research and development. | |
Central Science Laboratory ( CSL) | Verifying the authenticity of "organically grown" crops using stable nitrogen isotope analysis | Q01076 | 01-Apr-02 | 31-Mar-05 | | FSA | authenticity, food | This project builds on work in Q02009 (Isotopic methods to verify the authenticity of agricultural products) and concentrates on further refining the methodology and investigating effects of growing conditions and geography. The first objective of this project is to develop a method that can verify whether artificial fertilisers (produced by chemical synthesis) have been used during production of 'organic' vegetables (carrots, lettuce, tomatoes & mushrooms). This project addresses whether the reported differences between the stable nitrogen isotope ratios (15N/14N), and potential differences between the oxygen isotope ratios, of synthetic and organic nitrogenous fertilisers and can be translocated into plants and exploited to detect this type of fraud. Geographic location, soil type, type of manure used and time of harvest all covered in sampling from across UK and from replicated trials. | |
Devon County Council | Devon Organic Initiative | | 01-Oct-02 | 01-Jul-03 | Higher Hacknell Farm Ltd. | Devon County Council,
Soil Association | economics, socio-economics | This research and development project is two part: i. To consult the organic business sector in Devon to understand current views of needs, issues, opportunism barriers and priorities for the future ii. To develop a business plan and funding applications for the development of the organic farming and food sector in Devon, to provide a range of support services and initiatives to meet the needs of the sector as identified by phase i of the project | |
Duchy College, Cornwall | Survey of Cornish Organic Farmers | | 01-Aug-02 | 01-May-03 | | EU Objective 1, Defra | economics, socio-economics | A survey of all registered organic producers was carried out by one to one interviews. The survey included collection of farm data and personal opinions on many aspects of production. The project aim was to provide detailed information about the extent of organic farming in Cornwall, to inform the industry and form the basis of trials and development of the Centre. Preliminary findings are that the majority of producers are relatively new to organic production. Farm sizes ranged from very small to large where many enterprises were represented. Many farmers felt the lack of long term markets and absence of marketing structure was a significant constraint to production. There were a number of success stories of farmers adding value to produce through innovative marketing, group ventures, processing and local sales. Technical issues focused on weeds and weed control, soil fertility building strategies, home produced protein sources for livestock feed and lack of availability of organic seed. | |
Duchy College, Cornwall | Green Waste Composting | | 01-May-01 | 01-May-02 | | County Environmental Trust Ltd, Kerrier District Council | composting | A one year pilot project was established to investigate opportunities and challenges of on farm composting. The main objectives were to highlight where planning and licensing regulations impinged on the development of on farm composting; raise awareness of composting and educate a wide range of interest groups; demonstrate how garden waste can be transformed into a useful product for application to organic farmland. The project provided a valuable opportunity to disseminate information about on farm composting amongst farmers and other interest groups. | |
Duchy College, Cornwall | Provision of a health and welfare benchmarking service and analysis of the influence of health plans and medicine use on organic dairy farms | | 01-May-02 | 01-Sep-03 | University of Bristol | EU Objective 1, Defra, Mole Valley Farmers Ltd, OMSCO | dairy, cattle, health, welfare | An existing welfare assessment protocol requiring observations of cattle behaviour, and physical condition, medicine use and farmer estimates of disease incidence was used to assess health and welfare of dairy cattle on 15 organic dairy farms. The results will be used to provide a benchmarking service to participating farms and enable farmers and their advisors to identify strengths and weaknesses in health and welfare performance. The effectiveness of the benchmarking as a tool to develop herd health plans for organic systems will be assessed. | |
Duchy College, Cornwall | Ecological survey on agricultural land during conversion and into full organic production. | | 01-Sep-99 | 01-Apr-03 | | Cornwall College Research Committee | environment, biodiversity | Small mammal and breeding bird surveys were carried out on agricultural land during 1999 to 2003. Mammals were surveyed biannually using Londworth traps set in pairs along a hedgerow. Trapped mammals were identified weighed and marked before release. The woodmouse was most prevalent. Other species included bank vole, field vole and common shrew. No change in population size or species diversity was demonstrated during the period of the study. Breeding birds were monitored using BTO common bird census methodology. The perimeter of the farm and all field boundaries were walked and all bird species , numbers, location and behaviour were recorded and mapped. The results will be used for comparisons with future surveys in order to identify any changes occurring over time. | |
Elm Farm Research Centre ( EFRC) | Organic farming in Bedfordshire: Constraints and Solutions | | 01-Mar-02 | 01-Jun-02 | | Bedfordshire County Council | economics | The project/research set out to assess the extent of organic farming in the county along with identifying the constraints farmers felt towards converting to organic farming & ways in which these constraints could be overcome. | |
Elm Farm Research Centre ( EFRC) | GMOs and organic farming | | 01-Jan-00 | 31-Mar-03 | | EFRC | GMOs | Various pieces of work looking at the threats and impacts that GMOs are likely to have on organic farms and food production systems. | | |
Elm Farm Research Centre ( EFRC) | To draw together information on organic farming research through all UK public sector, private and charitable sources. | OF0338 | 14-Jan-03 | 31-Mar-03 | Eco-Stopes | Defra | policy | This project was commissioned to address action point 13 of the organic action plan and the consortium has been asked to undertake this work on behalf of Defra and the Action Plan Group. The objective of the project is to o draw together information on current levels of funding for organic research throughout all UK public sector, private and charitable sources. The results will be used by Defra and the proposed research sub-committee to facilitate discussion on the scope for better targeting and co-ordination of the research effort and for a greater input from non-Government sources of funding. | | |
Elm Farm Research Centre ( EFRC) | Development of a farm audit | | | 01-Aug-01 | 01-Jul-03 | | | EFRC, 9 Farmers, Mark Measures Associates | audit | The Farm Audit is being developed in order to provide a process by which a farm may be assessed for its delivery of all the objectives of organic farming. It will be used as an advisory tool & as a mechanism to quantify the efficacy of organic farming. | | |
Elm Farm Research Centre ( EFRC) | Organic Agroforestry systems | | | 01-Jan-99 | 31-Mar-03 | | | EFRC | agroforestry, crops | The ongoing development of an organic agroforestry system on Wakelyns Agr OF0restry in Suffolk. The system is investigating a number of systems and concepts including companion and bicropping of nutrient building crops and arable/vegetable crops as well as the use of trees in both timber and food as an integral part of the system. | | |
Elm Farm Research Centre ( EFRC) | EFRC stockless | | | 10-Jan-97 | 31-Dec-98 | EFRC | EFRC | crops, stockless | The development of a stockless organic system. | | |
Elm Farm Research Centre ( EFRC) | A review of knowledge: inter-row hoeing & its associated agronomy in organic cereal & pulse crops | OF0312 | 01-Jan-02 | 31-May-02 | SRI | Defra | crops, vegetables, weeds, hoeing | To review and disseminate the state of knowledge of inter-row hoeing and its associated agronomy in organic cereal and pulse crops and identify areas where further research is required. The review will take account of published information resulting from work conducted in both the organic and non-organic sectors. | | |
Elm Farm Research Centre ( EFRC) | Production of organic seed for the organic sector | OF0154 | 04-Jan-99 | 03-Jan-00 | | | Defra | seed, crops | Objectives were: 1. To assess the current and potential availability of organic seed, in the UK, elsewhere in Europe and further afield. 2. Develop a forecast of demand for organic seed in the UK over the next 5-10 years. 3. Determine the obstacles to be overcome and whether or not they can be dealt with through UK or European Co-operation. 4. Highlight problems that need further research input. 5. Produce a report covering the availability of organically produced seed including details of species and varieties where further work is needed and recommendations for future actions. | | |
Elm Farm Research Centre ( EFRC) | Action Research | | | 01-Jan-99 | 31-Dec-01 | | | EFRC | crops, weeds, grassland | The identification and development of on-farm problems and constraints to organic production. The work included such projects as clover varieties for early bite, dock control, and soil aeration. | | |
Elm Farm Research Centre ( EFRC) | Variety mixtures to reduce potato blight | | | 01-Sep-99 | 31-Aug-01 | | | EFRC | crops, potatoes, disease | The development of management strategies for late blight in organic potato production. The project looked at such methods as varietal mixtures and seed rate. | | |
Elm Farm Research Centre ( EFRC) | Alternative, non-animal based nutrient sources, for organic plant raising | OF0308 | 01-Jan-02 | 31-Dec-02 | HDRA | Defra | plant raising, vegetables | To identify and assess suitable alternative, non-animal based nutrient sources with adequate nutrient content and balance (particularly of nitrogen), for organic plant raising in the UK | | |
Elm Farm Research Centre ( EFRC) | Over winter transplant production for extended season organic cropping | OF0144 | 01-Dec-97 | 31-Mar-01 | HDRA, HRI | Defra | plant raising, vegetables | The overall objective of this project was to develop and evaluate protocols for organic transplant production during autumn, winter and early spring, taking particular account of nutrient supply, cell size and disease (particularly mildew) control for brassicas, allium and lettuce. | | |
Elm Farm Research Centre ( EFRC) | Organic cereal variety and mixtures trials | | | 01-Sep-99 | 31-Mar-03 | | | Sheepdrove Organic Farm Trust ( SOF) | cereals, varieties, crops | To improve the productivity and stability of organic cereal production by identifying cereal varieties and variety mixtures that demonstrate the best adaptation to organic farming systems. | | |
Elm Farm Research Centre ( EFRC) | Generating and evaluating a novel genetic resource in wheat in diverse environments | ARO914 | 01-Nov-01 | 31-Oct-07 | John Innes Centre | Defra | wheat, breeding, varieties, crops | To increase the sustainability and competitiveness of both non-organic and organic farming systems by developing genetically diverse wheat populations that will respond rapidly to on-farm selection for improved productivity and yield. | | |
Elm Farm Research Centre ( EFRC) | The development of an organic silvopoultry system. | | | 01-Jun-01 | 01-Jan-02 | | | Sheepdrove Organic Farm Trust ( SOF) | | | To provide living conditions that allow chickens to express their basic behaviour, by establishing a woodland edge habitat. To supply food sources for nutritional and health benefits for the chickens from a variety of sources, trees, shrubs, herbs as well as grass/clover leys; To provide an enriched landscape for the farm to encourage an increase in biodiversity; To provide a community asset in terms of landscape and the opportunities to gather hedgerow fruits. | | |
Elm Farm Research Centre ( EFRC) | Eating oil | | | 01-Jan-00 | 01-Dec-00 | Sustain | EFRC | environment, food miles | Research and publication of a report on the transport and food miles of organic and conventional food | | |
Elm Farm Research Centre ( EFRC) | Development & evaluation of whole farm conservation plans for organic farming systems | DL3 EF/02/03 | 01-Apr-01 | 31-Mar-03 | | | English Nature | environment, conservation plans | | | | |
Elm Farm Research Centre ( EFRC) | Developing a participatory approach to seed production & varietal selection | OF0330 | 01-Aug-02 | 31-Jul-06 | HDRA, NIAB, Kingston University, Middlesex University | Defra | cereals, varieties, crops | To develop a robust system for identifying, testing, multiplying and marketing cereal varieties, lines, mixtures and populations best suited to organic production in different parts of the country. | | |
Henry Doubleday Research Association ( HDRA) | Inclusion of the resource-poor in organic production and trade: opportunities and constraints posed by certification | | | 01-Apr-00 | 30-Nov-00 | ASC, Coventry University | Df ID | economics | A desk study to assess the benefits and constraints that resource-poor farmers face when exporting organic produce to the EU market. | | |
Henry Doubleday Research Association ( HDRA) | Sustainable Organic Vegetable Systems Network | OF0340 | 01-Jun-03 | 31-May-06 | EFRC, HRI | Defra | vegetables, economics | This project will, by monitoring the performance of vegetable rotations and new developments and innovations within the context of whole farm systems, identify the agronomic, financial and management factors which contribute towards sustainable organic vegetable systems, and disseminate best practice techniques to other growers. The project will operate in a participatory way, with HDRA researchers working closely with a network of 10 organic vegetable growers and OAS advisors. The farms network will represent a cross section of the size, production systems, market outlets and geographical location which organic vegetables are grown. The project will follow closely on from methods and approaches developed, and data collected during the 'Conversion to Organic Vegetable Production project' ( OF0191). It will share the same steering committee with the HDRA/ HRI 'Baseline monitoring of organic vegetable systems with differing fertility building periods' project ( OF0332) and work in parallel with the DEFRA funded economics of organic farming study ( OF0190) in which the economic data from the farms will be collected. | | |
Henry Doubleday Research Association ( HDRA) | Organic field vegetable production - baseline monitoring of systems with different fertility building regimes | OF0332 | 01-Jan-03 | 31-Mar-06 | HRI, EFRC | Defra | vegetables, economics | The overall aim of this study is to provide continued baseline information on the agronomic and economic performance during the post-conversion period for the organic field vegetable production systems at HRI Wellesborne and Kirton. The resources are made available for organic farming research initiatives. | | |
Henry Doubleday Research Association ( HDRA) | Conversion to organic field vegetable production Phase 2 | OF0191 | 01-Aug-00 | 30-Apr-04 | EFRC, HRI, IRS | Defra | vegetables, economics | This project is an extension of OF0126, to facilitate the completion of the monitoring of the first full course of the rotations at the organic unit at HRI Wellesbourne and the monitoring of a minimum of four cropping season on each of the commercial farms. The overall aim of this study is thus the same as for OF0126. | | |
Henry Doubleday Research Association ( HDRA) | Use of green waste compost in agriculture | Environmental Body Project 948082.001 | 01-Mar-97 | 31-Dec-00 | | | Wyvern Waste Services Ltd | composting, green waste | A study aiming to improve our understanding of the effect of applying green waste compost to agricultural land. The study focussed on effect on crop yields, changes in soil nutrient status, soil structure and biological activity, potential contamination, risk of nitrate leaching and economic implications. | | |
Henry Doubleday Research Association ( HDRA) | Knowledge transfer to organic fruit industry | OF0311 | 01-Apr-01 | 31-Mar-02 | | | Defra | knowledge transfer, apples, strawberries, fruit | The purpose of this project was to produce two technical guides for growers. One was entitled Organic Strawberry Production - a growers guide, and the other Organic Apple Production - pest and disease management. | | |
Henry Doubleday Research Association ( HDRA) | Provision of information on organic soft fruit production | OF0306 | 01-Feb-02 | 31-Jan-03 | OSFWG | Defra | fruit | The purpose of this project was to gather information on organic soft fruit production and to produce a technical guide for growers | | |
Henry Doubleday Research Association ( HDRA) | Combining peas, monitoring and evaluation of the feasibility of organic production | | | 01-Mar-00 | 31-Mar-01 | | | PGRO | vegetables, peas | The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of growing combining peas organically and identify those factors which may limit production, such as weed, pest and disease problems. | | |
Henry Doubleday Research Association ( HDRA) | Organic Management of Roses Phase 1 | | | 01-Apr-02 | 31-Mar-03 | | | National Trust, Roses UK | ornamentals, roses | Long term, the aim of this project is to develop effective management regimes for roses and, in particular, to develop appropriate solutions to overcome problems caused by foliar diseases, including rose black spot (Diplocarpon rosae). The objectives of the first phase of this project were to gather the existing knowledge on organic rose management from gardeners, commercial rose growers, researchers and from the literature. | | |
Henry Doubleday Research Association ( HDRA) | Economics of organic top fruit production | OF0305 | 01-Feb-02 | 31-Jan-05 | ADAS, IRS Aberystwyth | Defra | fruit | This study will collect and assess economic data from commercial organic top fruit growers over three years. | | |
Henry Doubleday Research Association ( HDRA) | Mechanical weed control strategies in organic field vegetable production | | | 01-Nov-98 | 31-Oct-03 | Coventry University, HRI | HDRA, Coventry University Studentship for Organic Horticulture | vegetables, weeds, carrots | This study investigates weed management strategies for organically grown main crop carrots and transplanted onions by evaluating a range of weed control factors. These include cultural, thermal and mechanical methods of control which are integrated to formulate optimum weed management programmes | | |
Henry Doubleday Research Association ( HDRA) | Varieties and integrated pest and disease management for organic apple production | HL0150 LOF | 01-Apr-00 | 31-Mar-05 | HRI | Defra (Horticulture LINK) | apples, fruit | To develop organic systems that will enable the problems of pests and diseases in organic apple production in the UK to be overcome. The target is that fruit quality, in terms of appearance and eating characteristics, should be at least equal to conventionally produced apples. Coupled with this, the systems developed must be both sustainable and environmentally sensitive. | | |
Henry Doubleday Research Association ( HDRA) | Study of the market for organic vegetables | OF0307 | 01-Feb-02 | 31-Jan-03 | IRS Aberystwyth, EFRC, Soil Association | Defra | vegetables | The overall aim is to provide detailed market information on the demand and supply of individual UK organic vegetable crops throughout the UK growing season. | | |
Henry Doubleday Research Association ( HDRA) | Participatory investigation of the management of weeds in organic production systems | OF0315 | 01-Aug-02 | 31-Jul-06 | HRI, EFRC, ADAS, RULIVSYS | Defra | weeds, participatory | Weed control is a primary production constraint to organic farming systems. This new project aims to take a participatory approach to identify and resolve weed management problems. Workshops and focus groups will be run throughout the project. Farmers, researchers and other stakeholders will jointly investigate and develop solutions. | http://www.organicweeds.org.uk/ |
Henry Doubleday Research Association ( HDRA) | Conversion to organic field vegetable production Phase 1 | OF0126 | 01-Aug-96 | 31-Jul-00 | EFRC, HRI, IRS | Defra | vegetables, economics | The overall aim of this study was to provide information on the agronomic and economic performance of during the conversion to organic systems of field vegetable production. The study involves the monitoring of eleven sites that are undergoing conversion; two of these are on experimental farms ( HRI Wellesbourne and Kirton) and the other nine are on commercial holdings. The information provided by the project will aid farmers who are undergoing, or who are considering, conversion to organic systems, and also policy making on related issues. | | |
HRI | Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in organic systems | OF0333 | 21-Jan-03 | 21-Aug-03 | ADAS High Mowthorpe, HDRA | Defra | arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, soil | This project has three objectives: 1) To deliver a literature review covering current knowledge of the role of AM fungi in conventional and organic agricultural systems. The review will consider the ways in which management influences the structure and functioning of AM fungus communities, and will include case studies in which AM fungi have been managed in agricultural systems, including the possibilities for using AM fungi as inoculants. 2) To establish the extent of differences in AM fungus inoculum between organic and conventional systems, covering a range of management practices. 3) To develop a method suitable for characterising AM fungus communities in soil libraries, based on 18S r RNA terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism | | |
HRI | Changes to soil quality indicators following conversion to organic vegetable production | OF0401 | 01-Apr-01 | 31-Mar-02 | HDRA | Defra | soil, vegetables | The objectives of this research are to characterise how key functional indicators of soil quality are affected by contrasting fertility building strategies, and to determine how these indicators have changed over the first five years following conversion from conventional arable to organic vegetable production. The study will provide information about the time taken for key soil functional characteristics with importance for sustainability to change following conversion, and the way in which contrasting fertility building strategies affect these changes. This knowledge will be of value for identifying potential soil functional constraints to productivity following conversion to organic production. The data-set will also provide a valuable contribution to the development of general indicators for soil sustainability, and the identification of critical processes and thresholds contributing to sustainability of agricultural soils. | | |
HRI | Organic Seed Production | OF0166 | 01-Feb-99 | 31-Jul-03 | EFRC, HDRA, Elsoms Seeds | Defra | vegetables, seed | The economic and agronomic feasibility of organic seed production is being investigated. Vegetable crop species included are brassicas, winter cauliflower, bulb onion, parsnip and lettuce, All production work has been carried out under a specially constructed 'Spanish' tunnel unit on a certified organic area at Wellesbourne. The project aim is to measure the potential seed yield, seed health and seed vigour from organic seed production, and where possible, seed from experimental organic plots is being compared with that produced conventionally. Both the pathology and physiology of seed quality are monitored, following organic protocols for the production of seed from several species. | | |
HRI | Growth and competition model for organic weed control | OF0177 | 01-Apr-99 | 31-Mar-02 | | | Defra | weeds, modelling, vegetables | A MATLAB software program encoding the Aikman and Benjamin (1994) model, will be written and run to predict the optimal weeding times of major vegetable crops in organic production. Parameter values for major vegetable crops obtained for conventional agriculture will be used. Other inputs will be the wide row spacing common in organic production to allow mechanical inter-row weeding, weed density and varying climatic conditions. Validation of the work will be by reference to historic data sets, such as CSA2093, 'Mechanical weed control techniques for agriculture and horticulture', by Mr W. Bond at HRI. | | |
HRI | Using weeds to reduce pest insect numbers in organic vegetable crops - a desk study. | OF0329 | 01-Apr-03 | 31-Mar-06 | | | Defra | weeds, vegetables, pests | The aim of this project is to demonstrate how the existing crop protection models could be used to optimise weed and pest insect control in organically-grown vegetable crops. The best management strategies for reducing the incidence of pests, without compromising crop yield, will be identified using the pest and weed models. A range of treatments will be selected for validation under field conditions. Guidelines will be produced, in consultation with IOR- HDRA, to show how best to manage weed populations to reduce crop-colonisation by pest insects. Suggestions will also be made to show how the system could be adapted for other crop/pest combinations. Apart from showing how techniques developed for conventional horticulture can be used by organic growers, the project will identify subject areas that require further work - specific to organic production. | | |
HRI | Desk study to apply knowledge developed for conventional horticulture to the control of pests in organic vegetables. | OF0179 | 01-Apr-99 | 31-Mar-02 | HDRA | Defra | vegetables, pests | The project will demonstrate how methods of pest control developed for conventional vegetable production can be adapted for use by organic growers. It concentrated on the pests of umbelliferous and cruciferous crops, which occupy about 52% of the total area of organic vegetable production. Simulation models, to indicate the optimum times to plant, protect and harvest a specific crop, were used as the basis for developing specific control strategies for organic growers. The results can be used by organic growers to decide 1) which crops are most susceptible to pest attack, 2) when to plant and harvest the crop to minimise pest damage and 3) when to protect the crop with covers or approved control agents. | | |
IGER | Organic Milk Production | OF0146 | 01-Oct-98 | 30-Sep-02 | IRS | Defra | dairy, cattle, milk, economics | Objectives: 1. To investigate the factors affecting the physical and financial performance of two different organic dairy farming systems (System A: a self-sufficient system and System B: the importation of concentrate feeds to supplement home-grown forages) 2. To develop a model of organic milk production which will allow the financial performance of contrasting strategies to be evaluated, utilising data collected from Ty Gwyn and the three other organic dairy farms. 3.To continue to monitor the financial performance of ten dairy farms and Ty Gwyn. At least four of these farms will have been established long term and up to six entered conversion in the 1996/97 study. Data will be contrasted with data collected from the previous phase of the study to confirm results for farms entering the post-conversion phase. | | |
IGER | Influence of level of self-sufficiency on the nutrient budgets of an organic dairy farm | OF0180 | 01-Oct-99 | 30-Sep-02 | | | Defra | dairy, cattle, milk, economics | Objectives are: 1. To determine whole-farm budgets and internal flows of N, P and K for organic dairy systems A and B at Ty Gwyn. 2. To measure the effect of slurry applications on N fixation in grass/clover fields at Ty Gwyn and effects on the uptake of P, K and Mg. 3. To measure possible changes in the P and K content of soils in Systems A and B at Ty Gwyn and evaluate recommended laboratory tests as indicators of P and K deficiencies in these soils. | | |
IGER | The development of organic dairy production systems | OF0317 | 01-Oct-02 | 30-Sep-06 | | | Defra | dairy, cattle, milk, economics | Improving the efficiency of organic production systems. (continued from OF0146) | | |
IGER | Crops for organic systems | | | 01-Jun-02 | 31-May-03 | | | Farming Connect | forage, grassland, silage | Evaluating (1) forage energy sources, (2) grass + clover mixtures, (3) silage quality | | |
IGER | Clover: cereal bi-cropping for organic farms | OF0173 | 01-Jan-99 | 31-Dec-01 | | | Defra | companion cropping, bi-cropping, cereals, crops | The proposal will evaluate the agronomic viability and sustainability of clover:cereal bi-cropping in organic farming systems as specified under UKROFS, for both silage and grain production. Experiments will be established on three UKROFS approved sites with contrasting soil types and environmental conditions. Randomised block small-plot experiments will determine the most satisfactory ways of modifying the IGER/ IACR system for organic farming. The results will be used to enable the greater adoption of organic cereal growing and would be a very attractive option for growers and would be directly in line with Defra's policy focus of encouraging conversion to organic production. | | |
John Innes Centre | A review of knowledge of the potential impacts of GMOs on organic agriculture | OF0193 | 04-Jan-01 | 30-Sep-01 | EFRC | Defra, BBSRC | GMOs, crops | Desk Study: A consideration of the potential impact of GM crop production on organic crop production | | |
New Economic Foundation | The Organics Tax Credit | | | 01-Feb-02 | 30-Jun-02 | | | Triodos Bank | economics | Report looked at the potential for government to encourage investment in organic farming and on-farm enterprise, to grow the UK organic sector and to encourage and reward the entrepreneurialism of farmers, through an organic tax credit. | | |
NIAB | Varieties of field vegetables and potatoes for organic production and marketing | OF0142 | 01-Apr-97 | 31-Mar-01 | | | Defra | vegetables, potatoes, varieties, crops | This project is designed to test the performance of varieties promoted for organic production in organic situations. Organic seed is used when available together with untreated seed of varieties known to be in production as organic seed or varieties with characteristics which could be useful to organic growers. | | |
NIAB | Varieties of field vegetables and potatoes for organic production and marketing | OF0304 | 01-Apr-01 | 31-Mar-04 | HDRA | Defra | vegetables, potatoes, varieties, crops | This project is designed to test the performance of varieties promoted for organic production in organic situations. Organic seed is used when available together with untreated seed of varieties known to be in production as organic seed or varieties with characteristics which could be useful to organic growers. (continued from OF0142) | | |
NIAB | Shelf life of organic vegetables | OF0156 | 01-Jun-98 | 31-May-01 | | | Defra | vegetables, potatoes, shelf life, crops | To investigate the shelf life of selected varieties of vegetables and potatoes, and the storage of onions and potatoes for organic production. The shelf life of selected varieties of organically grown early carrots, broccoli, lettuce, novelty salads, parsnips and potatoes was investigated under cool cabinet (20ºC, 50% relative humidity, 1200 lux lighting) and ambient (1ºC, 80% relative humidity, 1200 lux lighting) conditions. | | |
NIAB | Establishment of and running a comprehensive organic seed database and communication network | OF0195 | 01-Sep-00 | 31-Aug-03 | Soil Association | Defra | seed, crops, vegetables | A website has been set up designed to make it easier to find out the availability of organic seed and to provide performance data in organic and conventional trials. In addition the web site has sections for news updates, organic trials results and a chatroom for discussions on organic seed. | http://www.organicxseeds.co.uk
http://www.cosi.org.uk/ |
Norton Organic Grain | Organic Grain Link | MQP19 | 01-Aug-02 | 31-Jul-05 | Saxon Agriculture, Lincolnshire Organic Producers | Defra | cereals, marketing | To support organic farming and food through the development of an improved market structure for organic combinable crops. | http://www.organicgrainlink.co.uk/ |
Rothamsted Research | Studies on exploiting semiochemicals for pest management in organic farming systems | OF0188 | 01-Nov-99 | 31-Jan-00 | | | Defra | semiochemicals, crops, pests | Semiochemicals, as naturally-occurring signals that regulate the behaviour or development of pests and disease, have potential for exploitation in organic farming systems where intervention against pests is required. This study will investigate the extent to which exploitation of semiochemicals for pest control will be acceptable in organic farming, i.e. whether release of semiochemicals from companion or trap plants can be extended to deployment of semiochemical formulations as natural extracts or even as nature-identical products. The main objective will be to identify specific aspects of organic farming where exploitation of semiochemicals could advance and widen use of organic farming practices by providing new pest management strategies acceptable in such systems. Objectives are to determine targets where intervention against pests is required to expand organic farming practices, to review semiochemical-based pest management relevant to organic farming, to determine deployment strategies for semiochemical-based pest management acceptable in organic farming and to produce priority recommendations for field and/or scientific studies in furtherance of 3. | | |
Rothamsted Research | Integrated control of slug damage | OF0158 | 01-Sep-98 | 31-Mar-02 | | | Defra | pests, slugs, crops, vegetables | Objectives: 1. evaluation of biocontrol methods using the nematode Phasmarhhabditis hermaphrodita in combination with other methods. 2. quantification of the impact of carabid beetle predators on slug populations. 3. evaluation of mechanical & cultural methods of slug control, particularly methods of weed control.4. Evaluation of intercropping with attractive or repellent crops. 5. Assessment of the potential value of modified crop rotations. 6. Potential of molluscicidal composts for control of slug damage and potential use of plant extracts as additives to repellant mulch material.7. Determination of spatial patterns of slug populations & damage in key organic vegetable crops. 8. Use of combinations of control measures, e.g. nematodes applied to soil in crop rows combined with mechanical cultivation between rows. 9. Production of recommendations, to be published as a booklet or pamphlet, for best practice in integrated pest management of slugs in organic vegetable production. | | |
Scottish Agricultural College ( SAC) | Review of the organic farming sector in Scotland and evaluation of the Organic Aid Scheme. ( FF) | ERM/001/97 | 01-Dec-97 | 28-Feb-00 | ERM (subcontractors Scottish Wildlife Trust & University of Aberdeen) | SEERAD | policy | | | | |
Scottish Agricultural College ( SAC) | Effects of composting manures and other organic wastes on soil processes & pest & disease interactions | OF0313 | 01-May-02 | 31-Dec-02 | University of Reading | Defra | composting, soil, pests, diseases | The overall objectives of this project are: 1.To document the current standards, regulations and legislation relevant to recycling, compost/manure preparation and application and to review common UK practices relating to the preparation and use of uncomposted materials, manures, composts and compost extracts. 2. To review current scientific knowledge of the effects of different composting processes on chemical and biological parameters in the finished compost or compost extract. 3. To review the effects of uncomposted materials, manures and composts on soil health and quality, soil fertility and crop development and nutrition. 4. To review the effects of uncomposted materials, manures, composts and compost extracts on pest and disease incidence and severity in agricultural and horticultural crops. Information from this work will be published and will also be used to outline a proposed strategy for research (developed under Obj. 5) which will seek to develop composting systems and compost/manure application protocols with a view to optimising soil fertility management and pest and disease control in organic agriculture and horticulture. | | |
Scottish Agricultural College ( SAC) | Optimisation of phosphorus and potassium management within organic farming systems | OF0114 | 01-Jan-98 | 31-Dec-00 | EFRC, Rothamsted Research, Royal Agricultural College | Defra | soil fertility, P, K, grassland, crops | Objectives: 1) Assess the balance between inputs and offtakes of P and K within a range of UK organic farming systems using whole farm nutrient budgeting. 2) Evaluate chemical and bioavailability indices used to assess P and K status of soils. 3) Assess the availability of a range of P and K fertilisers to grass-clover leys and tillage crops, with and without arbuscular mycorrhizal associations and identify practical application methods for on farm use. 4) Develop a process-based dynamic simulation model of P and K turnover in the soil-crop system that includes a description of P and K availability from non-soluble sources and evaluate using data from field experiments. 5) Provide guidelines for farmers on the use of phosphorus and potassium fertilisers for organic systems. | | |
Scottish Agricultural College ( SAC) | Preserving fertility and soil quantity in organic production with emphasis on the conversion from ley to arable | SAC/312/01 | 01-Apr-01 | 31-Mar-05 | | | SEERAD | soil fertility | Studies of grazing vs. non-grazing regimes, timing of cessation of grazing or grass harvesting before tillage, timing of tillage and depth of tillage. The approach will integrate nutrient release, soil biological measurements and soil structural habitats to build a comprehensive understanding of the processes regulating soil fertility and soil quality. Will measure the long term effect of organic production on soil structural quality. Will study effect of mechanical weeding on soil structure. Will be done on field experiments of the "Resource Use in Organic Farming" and "En COIRE" projects | | |
Scottish Agricultural College ( SAC) | Key factors in sustainable ley-arable farming systems: quantifying the effects of crop rotation, vegetation management and animal health status on nitrogen and energy flows. | SAC/093/95 | 01-Apr-95 | 31-Mar-00 | | | SEERAD | crops, vegetables, livestock, nutrients, energy | | | | |
Scottish Agricultural College ( SAC) | Review of organic cereal production | 2299 | 01-Apr-00 | 30-Sep-00 | | | HGCA | cereals, crops | This proposal summarised present production methods of organic cereal production, reviewed published research and other information available on the production of organic cereals, and identified key areas for future research and the need for technology transfer, taking account of the present and projected size and value of the organic cereals market and its component sectors. | | |
Scottish Agricultural College ( SAC) | A study of the advantages & disadvantages of break crops for organic rotations | OF0143 | 01-Oct-98 | 30-Sep-02 | University of Aberdeen | Defra | crops, break crops | Objectives: 1. Review of the scientific literature to evaluate known agronomic advantages and disadvantages of 15 potential break crops for organic arable/grass rotations. 2. Evaluation of the economic potential of the 15 potential break crops. 3. Identification of agronomic and environmental suitability of 10 break crops in small-scale field trials. 4. Identification of agronomic and environmental suitability of potato, carrot, swede and borage in a large scale experimental organic rotation. 5. Assessment of consumer acceptability, sensory characteristics and market potential of harvested crops grown in field trials. | | |
Scottish Agricultural College ( SAC) | Resource use in organic farming | SAC/257/00 | 01-Apr-00 | 31-Mar-05 | Moredun Research Institute | SEERAD | nutrients, biodiversity, welfare | Integrates studies of nutrient use at SAC farms with a series of targeted studies on nutrients, biodiversity and animal welfare on converting and organic commercial farms. Will take a holistic approach to modelling organic systems in the Scottish Environment with a view to the future development of decision support. | | |
Scottish Agricultural College ( SAC) | Maintaining a competitive position in the Scottish organic fresh food market | SAC/262/00 | 01-Apr-00 | 30-Sep-02 | | | SEERAD | food, fruit, vegetables | To identify the variables, criteria and decision processes associated with consumers' choice of fresh fruit and vegetables, both organic and conventional. Results to be communicated back through the supply chain to improve competitiveness of Scottish producers. | | |
Scottish Agricultural College ( SAC) | Weed Control in Organic Farming ( WECOF) | QLK5- CT-2000-01418 | 01-Oct-00 | 30-Sep-04 | University of Bonn (Germany), Warsaw Agricultural University (Poland), Instituto Madrileno de Investigation Agraria y Alimentaria (Spain), University of Ancona (Italy) | EU | weeds, crops | The aim of the WECOF project ('Strategies of Weed Control in Organic Farming') is to improve the efficiency of weed control in Organic Farming. The model crop is winter wheat. A primary objective is to optimise the natural competitiveness of winter wheat in reducing weed growth, and thus reduce the need for direct weed control. A core experimental program is focussing on plant morphological and crop architectural characteristics to increase the competitive ability of the crop for light. Variety trials have been established in Scotland with constant row width and sowing direction to give more detailed varietal comparisons in terms of shading ability. The aim is to identify key characteristics of winter wheat morphology, which can increase shading ability, in order to assist breeders in selecting suitable cultivars for Organic Farming. The economic efficiency of the tested weed control methods will be analysed, both at the micro-economic (farm) and the macro-economic (society) level. The elaborated strategies will be integrated in a Decision Support System ( DSS) to assists advisers and farmers in selecting site specific strategies for effective weed control. | http://www.wecof.uni-bonn.de/ |
Scottish Agricultural College ( SAC) | Modelling weed population dynamics and control in organic agriculture | SAC/328/02 | 01-Apr-02 | 31-Mar-05 | SCRI | SEERAD | weeds, crops | Mathematical models of weed communities will be produced based on extensive SAC datasets from system studies and current research. The models will be used to study the development of weed communities in whole, realistic organic rotations and will include the effects of control options which will be selected on the basis of workshops involving advisers and farmers. | | |
Scottish Agricultural College ( SAC) | Utilisation of organic and inorganic nitrogen sources by grassland species | SAC/256/000 | 01-Apr-00 | 31-Mar-02 | | | SEERAD | soil fertility, nitrogen | Understanding and managing biological nitrogen cycling processes is central to developing effective and sustainable agricultural systems. In many soils the dissolved organic nitrogen ( DON) pool may constitute as much as 80% of the total soluble nitrogen. This has been demonstrated in grass/clover leys, pine forest, tundra and heathland ecosystems. The utilisation of DON is likely to be plant species specific, and to be influenced by environmental factors. This study will investigate the potential for selected grassland species, showing a range of mycorrhizal associations, to use organic nitrogen sources when supplied as the sole N source or when combined with inorganic N forms, in the presence or absence of mycorrhizal colonisation. We will thus examine direct root uptake and the extent to which mycorrhizal associations and root physical adaptations broaden the nitrogen source base using a variety of methods. Additionally, root architectural changes will be monitored by growing plants hydroponically or in glass-fronted microcosms, followed by scanning and image analysis. Improved understanding of the role of DON will potentially lead to the development of more efficient nitrogen management strategies by increasing plant utilisation and decreasing nitrogen losses. | | |
Scottish Agricultural College ( SAC) | Breeding strategies for organic dairy cattle | | | 01-Apr-00 | 30-Sep-02 | | | SEERAD | cattle, dairy, survey | Survey of organic farmers. Organic dairy farmers were asked to give a score of 0 to 5, with 0 being of little importance and 5 being of great importance, to 28 potential goal traits. These traits included production, resistance to general and specific diseases, fertility, and feet and leg disorders. | | |
Scottish Agricultural College ( SAC) | WORMCOPS: Worm control in organic production systems for small ruminants in Europe: Towards the implementation of non-chemical, sustainable approaches | QLK5- CT-2001-01843 | 01-Jul-01 | | | The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University (Denmark), Utrecht University (Holland), Diputacion General de Aragon (Spain), Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (France), Moredun Research Institute (Scotland), National Veterinary Institute (Sweden), Ecole Nationale Veterinaire de Toulouse (France). | EU | livestock, worms | The aim of the project is to develop and analyse options for an integrated strategy for control of parasitic nematodes in organic small ruminant production systems across Europe. The options are combinations of existing non-chemical options (i.e. grazing management) and novel approaches such as biological control and bioactive forages. The recommendations will integrate the necessary elements: Bioactive forages, biological control and grazing management, and will also be appreciable and highly relevant to non-organic farmers. | http://www.wormcops.dk/ |
Scottish Crop Research Institute ( SCRI) | Impacts of a conventional and an organic crop insecticide spray treatment on life history traits of two spot ladybirds. | SCR/535/99 | 01-Aug-99 | 31-Jan-02 | | | SEERAD | pests, beneficial insects, vegetables, crops | | | | |
Sheepdrove Organic Farm ( SOF) | Monitoring Research and Development of Sheepdrove Organic Farm | | | 01-Nov-02 | 01-Dec-03 | EFRC | SOF Trust | economics, environment | The objective of this project is to provide a description of the whole farming system at Sheepdrove Organic Farm ( SOF). The secondary objective is to establish a baseline data set for agronomic and environmental activities on the farm in order to monitor changes over time as the organic farming system develops. Thirdly the project will evaluate areas for further R&D work to improve and enhance the agronomic and environmental systems at SOF. | | |
Silsoe Research Institute ( SRI) | Cost-effective inter-row hoeing and band spraying systems for weed control in integrated and organic
cereal production ( LK0928) | 2694 | 01-Oct-02 | 31-Jul-05 | | | HGCA, Defra ( LINK) | weeds, crops | The aim is to demonstrate high precision (lateral S.D. 10mm) systems spanning multiple drill bouts, typically three 4m sections operating on a 12m tramline, operating at 10kph. For conventional systems the benefit would be a 60% reduction of herbicide input and a one third reduction in treatment costs with no loss of yield. For organic systems the proven benefits of precision inter-row cultivation could be achieved at treble the work rate of existing systems. The technology has other potential applications and is complementary to precision agriculture techniques based on spatial variability. | | |
Soil Association | Animal welfare and organic farming | | | 01-Jun-03 | 01-Dec-03 | | | Anonymous individual donor | livestock, welfare | The objective of the study is to give a definitive overview of organic farms performance on animal welfare. It is aimed at consumers, retailers and policy makers. | | |
Soil Association | The jobs dividend in UK organic farming | | | 01-Jan-03 | 01-Oct-03 | | | Rowan charitable Trust | economics, socio-economics | The research will aim to evaluate and quantify the social and economic effects of both organic and conventional farming and direct-marketing - not only directly (in terms of jobs created) but also indirectly in terms of the effect of a thriving farm business on other local suppliers and service providers. | | |
Soil Association | The biodiversity benefits of organic farming | | | 01-Mar-00 | 01-May-00 | | | WWF | environment, biodiversity | The report presents and reviews the findings of nine studies on the biodiversity supported by organic farming in the lowlands, compared to conventional farming systems | | |
Soil Association | Organic farming, food quality and human health: a review of the evidence | | | 01-Jan-01 | 01-Jun-01 | | | JJ Trust | food, health | The report presents a comprehensive review of existing research into the differences between organically and non-organically produced food. | | |
Soil Association | Food for life | | | 01-Mar-03 | 01-Oct-03 | | | Organex | food | The project will research and establish a pilot project with six schools in the UK, involving teachers, pupils and parents with the aim of introducing children to healthy, sustainable food and a meaningful food culture through the provision of organic food at school meals. The project will develop an educational programme to help children understand the links between the food they eat and their health. | | |
Tesco Centre for Organic Agriculture (Newcastle University) | Potential benefits and problems of marker assisted breeding | | | Sep-01 | Jun-03 | | | Greenpeace Environmental trust | breeding | Desk study to review literature on the current use, likely future impact and potential benefits & problems associated with marker assisted breeding technologies | | |
Tesco Centre for Organic Agriculture (Newcastle University) | Interactions between crop nutrition and soil borne diseases in organic protected cropping systems | | | Aug-01 | Jan-04 | | | Industry | protected cropping, diseases | Strategies to control soil borne diseases (corky root rot and Verticillium) without the use of soil steaming are evaluated. This includes resistant root stocks, suppressive composts, soil amendments and improved irrigation schedules. | | |
Tesco Centre for Organic Agriculture (Newcastle University) | Development of a systems approach for the Management of late blight in EU organic potato production (blight- MOP) | QLK5-31065 | Mar-01 | Aug-05 | EFRC, Swiss Research Institute of Organic, Unite Mixte de Recherches INRA/ ENSAR, Department of Ecological Plant Protection, University of Kassel, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture & Forestry, Swiss Federal Research, Norwegian Centre for Ecological Agriculture, Louis Bolk Instituut, Plant Research International B.V., Landbouw-Economisch Instituut | EU | crops, potatoes, diseases | Variety selection, in field diversification, agronomic and alternative treatment strategies for potato blight in organic systems which can replace Cu-treatments are being developed. | http://www.ncl.ac.uk/tcoa/bm_annual1.html |
Tesco Centre for Organic Agriculture (Newcastle University) | Alternatives for the control of late blight in organic potato production | OF0167 | Jan-01 | Dec-04 | University of Aberdeen, BPC, Glenside Organics Ltd | Defra | crops, potatoes, diseases | Development of alternative treatment strategies for late blight and their integration with agronomic blight control methods | | |
Tesco Centre for Organic Agriculture (Newcastle University) | Market for Organic Foods in Europe | | | Mar-02 | Mar-03 | | | Industry | seed, crops, vegetables | Desk study to project the likely development of demand for organic seed in selected European counties | | |
Tesco Centre for Organic Agriculture (Newcastle University) | Improving organic cereal production | | | Sep-02 | Aug-06 | | | Industry | cereals, grain quality, baking quality, crops | Development of strategies to improve the protein content and baking quality of organic cereal production systems through variety selection, fertility management and grass clover management practices | | |
Tesco Centre for Organic Agriculture (Newcastle University) | Red Meat Industry Forum organic project: Improving UK organic red meat production systems | | | 01-Sep-02 | 31-Aug-05 | | | Defra, Tesco Stores Ltd, MLC | cattle, sheep, meat | Group of research and technology transfer projects focused on developing farm diversification strategies for organic red meat producers | | |
University of Aberdeen | Monitoring the conversion of farms to organic status. | | | 01-Jan-00 | 01-Jan-05 | | | Kintail Land Research Foundation | soil fertility, crops, livestock | Monitoring the conversion of farms to organic status and linking output to SOPA. Main interest is monitoring farm performance from the availability of soil cations through to crop and animal health. Farms being studied are: a dairy unit and a mixed arable/beef/sheep unit. | http://www.abdn.ac.uk/organic/organic_04.php |
University of Bristol | The Use of Homeopathic Nosodes in the Prevention of Mastitis Within Organic Dairy Herds | OF0186 | 01-Feb-02 | 31-Jan-05 | University Warwick, University of Reading | Defra | cattle, dairy, diseases | This project is designed to test the efficacy of a widely used homeopathic nosode in reducing clinical mastitis in organic dairy herds and in reducing somatic cell counts in milk. The project will also allow an evaluation of the association between differing managerial practices and levels of mastitis within organic dairy herds. The aim is to produce a standard protocol on management and target setting for mastitis control in organic dairy herds. The results from the study should also be relevant for the control of mastitis in conventional herds and for a reduction in the use of antibiotics | | |
University of Cardiff | Going Local? Regional Innovation Strategies and the New Agri-Food Paradigm | | | 01-Mar-03 | 28-Feb-05 | | | EFRC | food | The proposed research aims to produce a critical assessment of the prospects for local and organic food chains in the light of the Curry report which extolled these novel food chains as one of the greatest opportunities for farmers and producers in the UK to add value and retain a greater slice of the retail price. To examine this claim the proposed research looks at these novel food chains in two different regulatory contexts: (1) the macro regulatory context of CAP reform and (2) the regional context in which these local systems are being directly promoted by regional development agencies and other bodies. The research uses three regional case studies: Wales and South West England, where this is a relatively new regional strategy, and Tuscany, which is one of the most innovative regions in the EU in producing and promoting local and organic food products. | | |
University of Gloucestershire | Comparison of the environmental, social and economic impacts of conventional, integrated and organic farming systems | | | 01-Jul-00 | 31-Dec-00 | IGER | Countryside Agency | environment, economics, socio-economics | Principally a desk based study of the relative environmental, economic and social impacts of three farming systems. The overall purpose of the research is to inform the Countryside Agency of the relative social, economic and environmental effects of farming land conventionally, through integrated principles, or organically, to enable assessment of the policy implications of each approach. The research contract also aims to: 1. Identify and assess the methods available to measure the social, economic and environmental effects of each production system. 2. Develop costed scenarios for further field study and recommend the optimal approach in terms of methods, scale and budget. | | |
University of Newcastle | Are organically fertilised soils biologically enhanced? | D19376 | 01-Apr-03 | 01-Apr-06 | | | BBSRC | soil fertility | Are organically fertilised soils "biologically enhanced?". They programme seeks to answer whether there is any evidence that biological cycles are enhanced in soils subject to long term organic inputs | | |
University of Nottingham | Identification and analysis of optimum conversions strategies for stockless organic farming systems on the basis of agronomic and economic performance and applicability to different soil types and farm business situations. | 2313 | 01-Mar-00 | 28-Feb-03 | | | HGCA | crops, stockless, conversion | The project will recommend a number of appropriate conversion strategies for stockless organic farming systems both under Agenda 2000 and further policy reform. Field experiments will examine changes in soil physical properties and the fate of N, P & K for several conversion strategies during the two-year conversion period. Winter wheat will be grown across the entire experimental area in the third year to assess the effect of the different strategies on yield and quality of the first organic crop. Fields of contrasting soil type that are undergoing conversion to organic status will be monitored for comparison with the field experiments. The impact of the conversion strategies on profitability, risk, return-on-investment and cash flow will be examined with and without policy support. A practical guide to aid growers in their decision making when choosing a conversion strategy will be produced. | | |
University of Nottingham | Investigating the long term impact of organic conversion strategies | 2803 | 01-Oct-02 | 29-Sep-05 | | | HGCA | crops, stockless, conversion | The aim of the project is to investigate the longer-term implications of the conversion strategies set up in project 2313 by continuing to monitor subsequent crops in a replicated experiment. Particular emphasis will be given to soil structure and fertility and weed burden following the different conversion strategies and their impact on yield and quality of the organic crops. The results of the experiment will be used to update the linear programming model developed in project 2313 and hence investigate the longer-term profitability of the various strategies. | | |
University of Reading | Vaccine use in organic cattle and sheep systems: Development of a decision support tool based on risk assessment | OF0310 | 01-Mar-02 | 28-Feb-03 | | | Defra | cattle, sheep, diseases | | | | |
University of Reading | Organic animal health, welfare & husbandry: assess existing knowledge & production of advisory resource compendia | OF0162 | 01-Oct-98 | 31-Mar-00 | | | Defra | livestock, health, welfare | An electronic compendium collating and assessing existing knowledge and available information on animal health, welfare and husbandry and its relevance to livestock production under organic standards. Five compendiums, covering five livestock production systems, will be produced from the database, in consultation with the sector advisory bodies and relevant specialist veterinary organisations. The compendiums will be produced in CD- ROM and printed formats and will be made available via the Internet. The main aim of the compendiums is to serve as a resource material for advice and further development of organic standards for livestock production. | | |
University of Reading | Animal welfare in organic livestock production | FF/00/22/3 | 01-Feb-01 | 31-Mar-03 | University of Aberdeen | SEERAD | livestock, welfare | A review and development of a welfare assessment protocol including a review of existing information, a description of current practices on Scottish organic farms, a survey of organic inspectors and Vets, a workshop, a survey of experts to evaluate the developing protocol and a survey of organic farmers to seek views on welfare and its assessment. | | |
University of Reading | Compendium of animal health and welfare in organic farming | | | 01-May-98 | 30-Apr-00 | | | Defra | livestock, welfare | The objective of the project was to provide a compendium of disease issues and potential control methods in organic livestock production | | |
University of Reading | Co-ordination of NAHWOA | | | 01-Jan-99 | 31-Dec-01 | IRS | EU | livestock, health, welfare | An EU-funded concerted action network on animal health and welfare in organic livestock production co-ordinated from Reading. EU-funding, for a three year period will be used to organise five meetings (first on in Reading May 1999), to maintain a Web-site connected to the departmental site, to publish and circulate proceedings of the meetings and to produce to reports and a book. The network includes 15 research institutes from eleven EU countries. The main aim of the project is to provide a joint platform for research organisations involved in organic livestock production and to create a forum for an on-going discussion on animal production and welfare in organic farming. | | |
University of Reading | Organic dairy cows: milk yield & lactation characteristics & development of herd simulation model for organic milk production | OF0170 | 01-Sep-00 | 28-Feb-01 | | | Defra | cattle, dairy | The project was designed to assess typical performance levels and health status in organically managed dairy herds. | | |
University of Wales, Institute of Rural Studies ( IRS) | Environmentally friendly farming systems and the CAP | | | 01-Nov-02 | 31-Oct-03 | | | EU, University of Hohenheim | policy, environment | Report commissioned by DG-Environment aimed to investigate the relationship between environmentally-friendly farming systems (taking organic farming as an example) and the Common Agricultural Policy. The study compared levels of support provided to organic farms and conventional farms under the Rural Development Regulations and assessed the impact on organic farming of financial support within the Common Market Organisations. Austria, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom were studied in detail. An assessment of implications of CAP Reform 2003 for organic farming was made. Final report submitted to DG-Environment in December, 2003. | | |
University of Wales, Institute of Rural Studies ( IRS) | Policy development and environmental impact of organic farming | | | 01-Nov-02 | 31-May-03 | | | Countryside Council for Wales | policy, environment | Objectives of this desk study were to1) To examine the body of existing research into the environmental and associated biodiversity impacts of organic farming on upland habitats. 2) To assess the transferability of impacts, processes and practices based on studies of organic lowland agriculture and to identify gaps and weaknesses in existing knowledge. The most recent and comprehensive UK review of studies of the environmental impact of organic agriculture is Shepherd et al.(2003). 3) To identify other potential impacts that may be expected to result from organic farming in upland and pastoral situations from of research on general (conventional) agriculture. | | |
University of Wales, Institute of Rural Studies ( IRS) | CAP reform and organic farming in EU | FAIR3- CT96-1794 | 01-Mar-97 | 30-Jun-00 | | | EU | policy, economics, EU | Organic farming is one of the key issues in reshaping EU agricultural policy. The project assesses the impact of CAP Reform and possible policy developments on organic farming and thus contributes to a better understanding of the effects that current EU policies have on this sub sector. The project used a mix of methodologies: literature review; review of other materials; face to face interviews with quantitative, semi-quantitative and qualitative questions; modelling at the farm level; quantitative sector models including programming models based on regionalised farms, a multi-product market model and a programming model differentiated by regions and farm-type; and scenario analysis is used as a tool to integrate the results and guide all other tasks during the course of the research project. The combination of modelling techniques with scenario analysis is innovative. | http://www.uni-hohenheim.de/~i410a/ofeurope/ |
University of Wales, Institute of Rural Studies ( IRS) | European Information System for Organic Markets (concerted action) | | | 01-Jan-03 | 31-Dec-05 | | | EU | economics. EU | The overall objective of EISf OM is to build up a framework for reporting valid and reliable data for relevant production and market data about the European organic sector in order to meet the needs of policy makers, farmers, processors, wholesalers and other actors involved in organic markets. In the project existing information collection systems in 32 countries will be analysed. Proposals will be made for developing new or enlarging existing data collection and processing systems. The proposals will be the basis for developing a Quality Management System ( QMS) for ensuring data quality. | | |
University of Wales, Institute of Rural Studies ( IRS) | The value adding process in the organic food chain | | | 01-Jan-03 | 31-May-03 | | | EU | economics, food chain | The project aims to clarify whether there any difference with regard to price calculations and margins between the organic and conventional food chain for five sample products in a number of EU countries. | | |
University of Wales, Institute of Rural Studies ( IRS) | Organic Marketing initiatives and rural development ( OMIARD) | QLK5-2000-01124 | 01-Jan-01 | 31-Dec-03 | Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; University of Kassel, Germany; INRA, France; FiBL, Switzerland; Mikkeli Institute for Rural Research and Training, Finland; Institute for High Mountain Research, Austria; IPL/Innovation and Sustainability, Technical University of Denmark; University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, Germany; Department of Value Process Management, Marketing, University of Innsbruck, Austria | EU | marketing, EU | OMIARD is a research project lasting three years from January 2001 funded under the European Union's 5th Framework for Research and Technological Development. As the first major research project to link the two key EU policy areas of sustainable agriculture and rural development, OMIARD will examine all aspects of the marketing of organic food in Europe, with a focus on rural development. | http://www.irs.aber.ac.uk/OMIaRD/ |
University of Wales, Institute of Rural Studies ( IRS) | EU- CEE- OFP | QLK5-2002-00917 | | | | | Universität Hohenheim, Germany; Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; FiBL, Switzerland; Institut für Betriebswirtschaft, Agrarstruktur und ländliche Räume, Germany; Institute for Agricultural Economics, Czech Republic; Warsaw Agricultural University, Poland; Institute for Sustainable Development, Slovenia. | EU | policy, economics, EU | The Organic Farming Policy activities both in EU and CEE Accession states will be analysed in detail recognising the two very different points from which EU states and CEE Accession states have started with organic farming and the very different conditions under which their agricultural sectors operate. The main outcome of the project for policy makers will be an evaluation of whether the conditions for the establishment and effective operation of the necessary political institutions charged with elaborating OFP exist and how they can be further developed in a complementary way. To prepare such a policy recommendation, lessons learnt from the EU experience with elaborating and co-ordinating OF related aspects of Agenda 2000 need to be assessed and a more detailed picture of the dynamics of OF development in CEE states is required. | http://www.irs.aber.ac.uk/EUCEEOFP/index.html |
University of Wales, Institute of Rural Studies ( IRS) | Conversion to organic production software ( COP) | | | 01-May-99 | 31-Aug-00 | | | Defra | knowledge transfer, software | | | | |
University of Wales, Institute of Rural Studies ( IRS) | Economics of Organic Farming (extension to OF0125) | OF0190 | 01-Jul-99 | 30-Jun-00 | | | Defra | economics | This work was carried out on the financial performance of organic farms over the years 1995/96 to 1997/98, with an extension to cover 1998/99. The aim of the research was to assess the financial performance of organic farms differentiated by farm type, in order to inform MAFF policy-making with respect to organic farming, and to provide a basis for assessments by farmers, advisers and other interested parties of the farm-level implications of conversion to, and continued organic farming. The specific objectives were the provision of information on different organic farm types. This was achieved through the collation of financial data collected under three different MAFF-funded research projects supplemented by data collected on other farm types, including data on dairy farms in the process of converting to organic production. | | |
University of Wales, Institute of Rural Studies ( IRS) | Economics of Organic Farming (extension to OF0190) | OF0189 | 01-Dec-02 | 28-Feb-06 | | | Defra | economics | | |
University of Wales, Institute of Rural Studies ( IRS) | Testing of OrgPlan conversion planning software | OF0331 | 01-Dec-02 | 30-Apr-03 | | | Defra | knowledge transfer, software | | |
Welsh College of Horticulture | Organic Seed Trials | | 01-Mar-03 | 12-Jan-04 | | | WDA, OCW, Farming Connect | seed, vegetables | Trials of organic seed varieties to assess germination, yield etc | |
Welsh College of Horticulture | UV Greenhouse polythene covers for insect pest control | | 01-Mar-03 | 31-Mar-04 | | WDA, OCW, Farming Connect | protected cropping, pests | Trials of UV blocking greenhouse polythene covers. Flying insect pest incidence, infestation and damage to organically grown plants is being measured | |