Annex 3. Organic Farming Research Priorities PACA Res (OF0347)
Collated for Defra by the Institute of Organic Training and Advice (IOTA)
24th May 2008
1. Introduction
The organic farming research priorities listed below have been drawn from (1) the PACA Res Research Reviews (the numbers 1 - 18 correspond with the review topics) and associated Workshops (identified where applicable), in which participants were asked to identify any gaps in the information available and (2) responses to a request sent to IOTA members to identify research needs. The sources of the priorities are identified in the text below, apart from the consultation exercise which applied to all. The list is not a fully comprehensive review of all research needs but it is particularly valuable in that it arises from an assessment of the research undertaken on the 21 Research Topics, thereby revealing gaps which are real and may otherwise not have been identified. It is however not the intention to replace the work done by the ACOS Research Committee but to complement that and the priorities identified in the recent COR workshop (March 2008) and previous organic research priorities identified by the Organic Research Centre.
The priorities identified below have been identified by advisers working in the field and consequently focus on the technical issues which face them. It is not the intention to identify research driven by policy needs. Organic farming is by its nature a system of farming which is dependent on management rather than inputs, consequently a farmer needs to be equipped with skills, techniques and ideas rather than have recourse to a particular input. While research is often necessarily topic-focused the implications for the relationship with, and impact on, the wider organic farming system and environmental and social outcomes may be crucially important.
2. Over arching conditions
The fact that organic farming is driven by an aspiration to deliver on environmental and social objectives as well as being profitable presents a challenge of its own. Efficient use of resources, minimisation of pollution, biodiversity, food quality, working conditions and animal welfare all feature highly in the objectives of organic farming. While the full external costs for delivering all these objectives cannot be delivered by the market place there is an imperative to quantify the real costs and benefits of organic farming in order for appropriate support to be provided by other means. Identifying those costs and benefits are a critically important research challenge for the future.
There is a need for a dedicated organic farming research programme as 1) there remain intractable problems and systems related issues, specifically related to organic farming, which may not be addressed through a programme driven from a need for research to be applicable to all farming types. For example Defra research has demonstrated that the result of work such as variety testing under non-organic conditions is actually inversely related to the results under organic conditions. 2) A dedicated organic research programme is needed because there is often a need to undertake research in a different way and by personnel with expertise in organic farming. Where it involves field trials it needs to be undertaken on well established organic sites. Undertaking work under organic conditions has the advantage that it is sometimes transferable to non-organic conditions, particularly relevant where non-organic farming is being encouraged to move in a more environmentally friendly direction.
The need to minimise the effect of agriculture on climate change is a priority which should be dealt with alongside the other organic objectives, not in isolation. Proper recycling of human waste is identified as an issue not yet on the research agenda, a proper knowledge and appropriate management of organic soil management remains a long way off and, at a more prosaic level, docks are the most often cited technical problem.
Ultimately practical organic farm research is only of value if engagement and communication with farmers is effective and results in the adoption of more effective practices; there is a widespread view amongst farmers and advisers that this is currently not working well enough. Good dissemination through various channels, often including active participation, is essential.
Research needs identified by subject area
1. Dairy Cow Nutrition (review and workshop)
1.1 Priority is to undertake research into cow nutrition and management and the effect on cow health and efficient production, particularly given the lack of information on feeding value of legumes and whole-crop, the risks of sub clinical acidosis and the levels of mastitis and lameness in organic dairy cows. This includes:
- The use of supplementary feeds with low N content to “balance” the high N content of grazed grass clover swards, and their effect on reducing N excretion in organic systems.
- The effect of balancing the rate of energy and nitrogen release in the rumen on reducing rumen N requirement and N excretion in the dairy cow.
- The use of forages and herbs in different grazing strategies and their effect on PUFA, CLA, trace mineral and vitamin levels in milk.
1.2 Further studies are required on the economics of various types of dairy systems and resolution of the
conflict between profitability and sustainability. Dairy herd self-sufficiency v. buying in feed – need to remodel previous data from Defra projects.
2. Nitrogen supply and management in organic farming (review)
2.1 Further development of management techniques to control N to synchronise with crop requirement (N management in organic arable / ley systems - N fixation, accumulation, release, impact of biomass managementand impact of cultivation type and timingon N release).
3. Compost: the effect on nutrients, soil health and crop quantity and quality (review and workshop)
3.1 While the general effects of the use of composts and manures on soil physical and chemical properties are well understood, the interactions between composts and manures, soil properties, tillage and rotation need further research.
3.2 There is a need to address manure and compost applications in the context of farming systems as well as the effect on individual crops.
3.3 Gaseous nitrogen losses tend to be lower from composted than fresh organic materials, but management options to minimise these losses need further development.
3.4 There is a need to investigate trade-offs between different gaseous and leaching forms of pollutants following compost application. This should include methane and carbon dioxide emissions from the farming system rather than individual crops.
3.5 There is little information on pathogen persistence and movement in crops, soils and water following compost application.
3.6 There is very little information available on the beneficial effects of compost on produce quality in field grown crops, despite anecdotal experience and substantial claims.
3.7 Need for further information on the role of compost on crop health and disease resistance.
4. Management of trace elements and vitamins in organic ruminant livestock nutrition (review)
The following are some suggestions for areas to be covered by future research projects. Their aim should be to gather information that will enable us to devise forage/herb mixes that will fully provide the trace mineral levels necessary to establish and maintain a good state of health including full immune competence in ruminants.
4.1 Comparison of the trace element and vitamin content of a range of grasses, legumes and herbs at various growth stages. A number of different trials need to be run on a range of soil types including soils known to be deficient in particular trace minerals and/or to result in trace element deficiencies in ryegrasses.
4.2 The effect of “trace element rich” forages on animal health with particular reference to mastitis and SCC.
4.3 More research on performance of mixtures (rather than individual species) and the livestock grazing them, on different soils, in different climates. This can extend to developing different mixtures for different environments.
4.4 A study needs to be undertaken on whether the various soil management strategies recommended and practiced at present do indeed enhance the trace mineral level of forages grown.
5. Monitoring and management of energy and emissions in agriculture and climate change (review)
5.1 With regard to the GWP (Global Warming Potential), more work is needed on the potential for carbon sequestration, management strategies to enhance sequestration and studies that take into account the net contributions to GWP (rather than just energy and emissions data).
5.2 Reduction in methane production through dietary management of ruminants.
5.3 Modeling how climate change will affect our food (diet) and farming systems - pests, diseases, parasites and crops.
5.4 Farm mechanisation systems involving low energy consumption.
6. Combinable protein crops (review and workshop)
6.1 Companion/bi-cropping (e.g. wheat and beans);assessment of commercial application of the results of this promising research.
6.2 Weed control/management strategies in protein crops; vitally important if the current problems of weed control are to be overcome.
7. Organic poultry nutrition and rations (review)
7.1 Development of more appropriate systems (breeding, feeding, housing, health) for organic farming.
8. Non-inversion organic arable cropping (review and workshop)
8.1 A number of farmers have successfully developed minimum-tillage systems on organic farms. Research is required to develop these systems and to determine how this can be achieved in terms of weed, pest and disease management,identifying the ecological benefits as well as analyses of the energy use within the system.
9. Management & sustainability of stockless organic arable and horticultural systems (review and workshop)
9.1 Need to understand the effect of stockless (use of green manures) compared to stocked (use of animals and manures) organic systems on weed populations, soil life, organic matter, productivity and food quality.
10. Nutrient budgeting. (Review)
10.1 There is a need for the development of a nutrient budgeting program suitable for use in organic farming.
10.2 There is a need to adapt models of nutrient cycling and loss for use in organic systems.
11. Soil Management (two reviews and workshop)
11.1 There is a need to identify organic crop response to soil fertility conditions as determined by soil analysis and to develop organic farming soil management (including appropriate fertiliser applications) to optimise crop production in the context of the whole rotation.
11.2 Soil ecology management; knowledge of implications of soil ecology and how to manage it (particularly Michorizal fungi and role in nutrient uptake and effect on pathogens).
11.3 Ongoing field validation of soil analytical techniques including sending similar samples to a range of labs and comparing results and advice.
11.4 Incorporation of human waste (sewage) in organic farming requires addressing the health and contamination and ethical issues associated with the contaminated waste currently available.
11.5 Management of soils under organic protected cropping.
11.6 Other specific information which is needed:
- Nutrient contents of crops, manures etc in organic systems
- Assessment of Carbon sequestration & N20 emissions from long term commercial organic farming systems
12. Arable cropping (review and workshop)
12.1 Feed: The protein market for organic producers is unstable, a result of the combination of the domination of the market by imported soya, and the GMO risk from these soya supplies. Extensive research needs to be carried out to determine how to improve the production of feed on-farm, addressing the issues associated with agronomy (specifically including weed control), nutrient supply (e.g. amino acid supply for poultry rations), and productivity.
12.2 Agro forestry:The integration of trees in the form of agro forestry into the cropping system has the potential to supply a number of ecologicalbenefits, in addition to a secondary enterprise (timber/nuts/fruit). Research is needed to inform practices and to quantify the benefits of agro forestry systems,to inform policy.
12.3 Cropping diversity:Organic farming systemshave a high level of biotic and abiotic diversity. The use of monocultures limits the buffering capacity of these crops. Major advances could be achieved in developing a range of mixtures and populations in cereals (not only wheat), vegetables, and in fertility building.
12.4 Weed control: notably docks, creeping thistle, wild oats, black-grass and couch.
13. Forage production (three reviews and workshop)
13.1 Variety testing of grass and legume species under organic conditions (Defra funded research indicates that there may be an inverse ratio to the performance seen under non-organic conditions).
13.2 Breeding of grass, legume and herb species, developing new varieties with characteristics suitable for low input and organic farming, particularly of red clover and lucerne.
13.3 Pests and diseases of legumes – control through breeding, testing, mixtures and treatment.
13.4 Recalibration of quality components of leguminous forage and wholecrop.
13.5 Methane emissions and carbon sequestration – effect of species, mixed species mixtures (MSM) and management.
13.6 ‘Pharmalogical products’ of MSM on (a) livestock health, (b) animal behaviour, (c) product quality.
13.7 Perennial weed control, particularly docks.
14. Farm Biodiversity (review)
14.1 Beneficial relationships between natural organisms/biodiversity and livestock health/disease.
14.2 Optimum wildlife populations and their effectiveness in maintaining a mutually beneficial relationships.
14.3 Upland biodiversity implications of organic farming.
14.4 Longitudinal studies that map baseline biodiversity on conventional farms and then follow them through organic conversion.
14.5Research on scale effects looking at the way in which the contribution that organic farming makes to enhancing biodiversity varies as area of organically farmed land in a given landscape grows.
15. Organic food quality (review)
15.1Effect of organic food on human health.
15.2Farm management techniques to enhance the quality of organic food.
16. Organic Plant Raising (review)
16.1 Further fundamental research on the biological processes in organic growing media, including nitrogen availability and disease suppression.
16.2Development of methods to enhance consistency and reliability of growing media.
16.3Periodic independent trialing of commercially available organic growing media.
16.4 Development of mixes and recipes for use by small growers producing their own module and potting compost.
17. Advisory Tools (review)
17.1 Development of a Nutrient Budgeting Tool.
18. Dairy cow breeding (review)
18.1 Development of methods and guidance for the appropriate weighting and incorporation of functional traits into breeding indices for organic herds.
18.2 Improved understanding of the genetic x environment interactions for key functional traits in organic system, and how these may be used in breed improvement.
18.3 Improved techniques for the use of animal-based health and welfare measures to assess the suitability of breeds to organic systems.
18.4 Development of improved guidance on selecting for disease resistance in organic herds.
18.5 Comparative analysis of the suitability of different breeds and cross-breeds for organic systems, incorporating functional traits associated with health and welfare and environmental impact.
18.6 Modelling of the economic viability, welfare quality and environmental impact of lower milk output and dual-purpose systems.
18.7 Development of innovative systems of production of male calves from the dairy sector.
18.8 Development of approaches and models of ethical analyses to evaluate the appropriateness of new breeding technologies for organic production.
19. Livestock other (IOTA consultation)
19.1 Need to address major livestock health issues of TB, Blue Tongue, Avian Flu, Foot and Mouth and other existing and potential problems through bio security and other techniques including developing the immune system through diet and breeding.
19.2 There are questions over livestock parasite control but these questions need to be asked in light of the livestock changes we may see over the next decade. Fluke, scab control, lice, mange and fly strike, are all major issues now with few suitable answers - how can these parasites be minimised through management and can appropriate medication be developed in order to ensure high animal welfare and minimal contamination.
19.3 Increasing sustainability through livestock breeding and selection.
19.4 Mastitis management in dairy cows.
20. Potatoes (IOTA consultation)
20.1 Potato blight control.
21. Dissemination. (Reviews, workshops and IOTA consultation)
21.1 “Why has the growth in understanding of role of soil OM and soil organisms……. had such little impact on the practical management agricultural systems, even in organic farming where the importance of soil health is a particular focus? For farmers to take account of any process or species within the agricultural ecosystem they must also be able to manipulate its rate or activity beneficially and such manipulation must be cost effective. Further innovative and collaborative research is needed by scientists, advisors and farmers not simply to increase understanding of the factors that affect soil organisms and their interaction with soil OM but also the development of targeted practical management approaches.” Watson C., Stockdale E., Phillips L., Paca Res Soil Biology Review
Dissemination remains an absolute requirement of all farm focussed research, a recommendation which came out very clearly in the Defra project A review of animal health and welfare practice and the principles of organic livestock production (0F0364). This will need to be targeted at all sectors of extension and practice including advisers, trainers, certification officers, veterinary surgeons, information officers and of course farmers. Dissemination needs to be undertaken in a multiplicity of approaches including through individual research project outputs, engagement of extension workers and recipients (including farmers) in the research, technical publications, workshops, interactive websites and direct on farm advice.
IOTA has initiated, and through the Defra funded PACA Res project established, an effective mechanism for delivering an important component of this dissemination process to advisers, researchers and others involved in extension. In particular this has provided:
Organic Eprints as the primary data base for organic research and requiring all projects to be uploaded.
Topic focused research reviews which collate the results of a number of projects and present the results in an easily accessible form for use by advisers and others involved in extension.
Workshops for researchers and advisers in order to disseminate research results and to provide a forum for discussion on the application of research in the commercial world and to identify future priorities.