News - Arable (69 articles)
This section combines information for the arable farmer, including research results, news, policy, marketing and standards updates. Further information can be obtained from external sites. For information on weed management, visit HDRA; for marketing of arable crops, try the Organic Arable Marketing Group or Norton Organic Grain. The Soil Association provide arable price data and technical guides. Information on seed varieties and availability can be obtained through Cotswold Seeds Ltd whilst The Organic Research Centre – Elm Farm, Scottish Agricultural College, Organic Studies Centre and Org prints all provide details of research on varieties, agronomy and fertility.
Organic Inform website is no longer being updated
Added: 21st September 2011
The service has now closed
The Organic Inform service is now closed and the website is no longer being updated.
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ORC OPEN DAYS
Added: 25th June 2010
Celebrating 30 years of the Organic Research Centre
The Organic Research Centre is holding two open days on the 16th & 17th of July as part of our 30th Anniversary programme.
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Communicating the organic message
Added: 19th May 2010
Discussion & presentations from the ORC Producer conference
OF&G initiatives – a certifier’s perspective
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Legume LINK managing legume mixtures – Pros and cons
Added: 1st April 2010
Discussion & presentations from the ORC Producer Conference
Legume LINK is a major new research project which started in 2009 to investigate the potential of a wide range of legumes as fertility building crops in arable systems. A selection of legumes was combined into species mixtures and these are currently being trialled at various sites across the UK in a participatory farm-based approach. Dr. Thomas Döring (Organic Research Centre) described ‘first impressions' from preliminary data collected in year one. There was much interested debate in the open discussion from growers and researchers alike, including the optimisation of legume mixes to different regions of the country and their role in weed suppression.
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Cereal breeding: new approaches
Added: 1st April 2010
Discussion & presentations from the ORC Producer Conference
This session focused on the need for cereal varieties bred specifically for use in organic systems which will perform better under such conditions than pure lines bred for high-input agriculture. Two complementary presentations were made: Dr Thomas Döring (Organic Research Centre) described the theory behind genetic, ecological and economic approaches to improve yield reliability under increasingly variable climates, whilst Michael Marriage (Doves Farm) gave a farmer and processor perspective, reporting on his practical experiences using older strains of wheat in a commercial setting. Audience discussion included the measurement of yield, and the role of selection in shaping wheat population characteristics.
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Protected cropping: new EU standards
Added: 1st April 2010
Discussion & presentations from the ORC Producer Conference
Protected cropping will soon be subject to EU scrutiny to fill in the gaps in the EU organic regulation. The purpose of this session was to take a pulse from the industry as to where the standards should be going. Roger Hitchings fronted a presentation from Wight Salads, as Philip Morley could not be present, outlining their system of long-season heated organic tomato production. Roger Hitchings gave a picture of the current situation across Europe, with widely different interpretations of the regulations. Jill Vaughan covered the current standards and issues arising from them. The Soil Association has produced a draft paper on protected cropping standards and is planning a wider consultation in April.
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New crops, new varieties, new directions
Added: 1st April 2010
Discussion & presentations from the ORC Producer Conference
The session drew on issues facing the sector in the current financial climate and highlighted how the organic sector needs to think out of the box regarding new markets. David Shaw highlighted the value of blight resistant Sárpo potato varieties and the challenges surrounding the new strain of the disease. Roger Hitchings stepped in for Laurence Hasson who could not make it due to the weather. He presented the agronomic potential of various Bioselect varieties highlighting the resistant Toluca. The grow-your-own phenomenon has been cited as one reason for declining organic sales. Jill Vaughan presented the issues and opportunities of organic plant production to sell to this market.
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New approaches to nutrient management in organic farming
Added: 1st April 2010
Discussion & presentations from the ORC Producer Conference
This session, chaired by Christine Watson from the SAC, explored how new research results contribute to improving nutrient management for food and feed crops in organic systems. Excellent presentations from Francis Rayns (Garden Organic) and Robin Walker (SAC) discussed results from a number of trials investigating a range of management approaches to N and P availability, while Liz Stockdale (Newcastle University) used a novel approach involving chocolate, toffees and delegates to demonstrate K availability in soils. Discussion focused on the practical implications of these research results for producers.
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Agroforestry: Integrating trees with crops and livestock
Added: 1st April 2010
Discussion & presentations from the ORC Producer Conference
Agroforestry: Integrating trees with crops and livestock A lively discussion followed three informative and engaging presentations to a packed audience. Jo Smith (The Organic Research Centre) presented an overview of previous research in this area and Mike Townsend (The Woodland Trust) explained the many and wide-ranging benefits that agroforestry offers. These two presentations were put into context by Stephen Briggs (Abacus Organic and Bluebell Farm), who has recently converted 125 acres of his Cambridgeshire farm into an agroforestry system incorporating 4500 apple trees with combinable crops. This raised questions of the practicalities of tree and fruit management, combinable cropping and policy.
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Sustainable Food Security
Added: 1st April 2010
Discussion & presentations from the ORC Producer Conference
The discussion on “Sustainable Food Security” was lead by presentations by Niels Halberg who presented a paper titled “Is Organic Farming an unjustified luxury in a world with too many hungry people?” and Lawrence Woodward with a paper titled “Organic Farming and Food Security – A UK Perspective”. Halberg spoke of how an increasing world population and climate change will be a challenge to food security but there is a need for a new production paradigm to integrate natural resource management with food and nutritional security. He suggested that organic (both certified and non-certified) can significantly contribute to this new approach. Woodward raised the questions of why UK governments and policy makers do not see organic farming as being part of the solution and conclude that it was probably due to the focus on yields rather than total productivity. He concluded that organic farming does have a role to play in food security but that the real challenge is shifting the policy debate from more food at any cost. We need to embrace food sovereignty and this will allow us to call for and make fundamental change.
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ORC Producer Conference 2010 proceedings now available online
Added: 1st April 2010
Session summaries & presentations from this years conference
We are pleased to be able to offer content from the 2010 Organic Research Centre's Producer Conference online.
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Stabilising wheat yields
Added: 21st October 2009
Can genetic diversity increase reliability of wheat crops?
Employing high genetic diversity within a crop is one way in which arable production can buffer against increased variability of weather patterns due to climate change. The potential of this approach to combat variability has been demonstrated, by the Organic Research Centre, in field trials where genetically diverse wheat populations have shown high ield stability across years.
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2010 ORGANIC PRODUCERS’ CONFERENCE
Added: 24th September 2009
CALL FOR PAPERS AND WORKSHOP PROPOSALS
CALL FOR PAPERS AND WORKSHOP PROPOSALS
7th and 8th January 2010 Harper Adams University, Shropshire, TF10 8NB
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The Organic Research Centre Arable Event
Added: 24th June 2009
Event Date: 30/06/2009
Location: Two sites, both in Berkshire Organic Research Centre - Hamstead Marshall, Nr Newbury, Berkshire RG20 0HR and Sheepdrove Organic Farm.
This event at the Organic Research Centre (Hamstead Marshall) and Sheepdrove Organic Farm (Lambourn) will provide the opportunity to hear about and to visit three innovative arable research projects on site.
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Research refutes claims of organic mycotoxin threat
Added: 18th June 2009
No difference in mycotoxins in organic & conventional wheat
There is no difference in mycotoxin levels in organic and conventional wheat according to a four year study carried out by Harper Adams University College. The research conducted by Dr. Simon Edwards analysed wheat from 300 fields and found overall levels were low and generally below the recently introduced legal limits. This work refutes the frequently stated claim that disease levels must be higher in organic crops because of the pesticides are not used.
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Resilient OMSCo provides a lifeline for organic Dairy Farmers of Britain
Added: 12th June 2009
Steady sales enable Organic dairy co-op take on DFB farmers
The Organic Milk Suppliers Co-op is taking on the organic farmer members of the collapsed Dairy Farmers of Britain. The agreement which had been planned for later this year was brought forward and will allow OMSCo to achieve efficiencies on haulage and administration. Organic milk sales are holding up despite media stories of a collapse but rising feed costs are a concern. Meanwhile, OMSCo Chief Executive Hugh Bowles has told farmer members of Organic Arable that he is looking for a fair price deal to enable him to source UK arable products. The gulf between the price expectations of dairy and arable farmers remains significant but co-operation between these two groups, which both have their origins in ORC’s advisory department, is a possibility.
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€18 Million EU research confirms organic claims
Added: 8th June 2009
QLIF shows benefits but more work needed
The five-year, €18 million research programme, part-funded by the EU, on the quality of organic and low input foods has come to a close with a conference in Turkey in April 2009 and the publication of summaries of the main results. A huge number of projects completed over 5 years have confirmed much of what organic supporters have been saying about organic food and farming systems but has not been able to supply the definitive answer on health claims that many had hoped for. Some new insights have been gained however and interesting perspectives on how the organic system might be further developed have emerged.
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Industry wants better quality from UK Feed Grains
Added: 14th May 2009
OI Survey of UK Organic Grain 2007/08 use and criteria
Organic Inform has carried out a limited survey of the use of UK Organic Feed Grains by compounders and processors. The survey was undertaken for Organic Arable and presented at their Annual meeting on 14th May. Feed Wheat accounts for 40% of the tonnages used. Quality of the grain is reported to be the most important buying criteria with price, consistency of supply and provenance ranked similarly as less important. Respondents indicated they would be prepared to source more UK grain if it was of sufficient quality and that they had a real interest in finding alternatives to Soya.
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Organic Grain Market Update April 2009
Added: 23rd April 2009
Prices from the organic grain market (April 2009)
Ex farm averages, supplied by Norton Organic Grain, Organic Arable and Gleadell:
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The Organic Arable Market
Added: 21st April 2009
Organic Grain Link Project
Commentary from Norton Organic Grain, through the Organic Grain Link project
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The Organic Research Centre Producer Conference
Added: 22nd January 2009
Proceedings, slides and notes from the January conference
Conference Proceedings
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Organic Movement or Market?
Added: 16th January 2009
Organic farmers and producers in hot debate
Lively discussions at the recent Organic Research Centre Producer Conference.
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Oat and soya contamination
Added: 3rd December 2008
Real concerns over chemical inclusions
Batches of organic oats found to be contaminated.
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Facing the future
Added: 5th November 2008
Report from the Welsh Organic Producer’s conference
Thursday 23 October 2008, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells
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Organic Arable market commentary
Added: 30th October 2008
The current state of the arable market
Andrew Trump of Organic Arable comments.
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Non-organic seed
Added: 9th October 2008
Organic Forage Seed percentages to remain at 65% until 2010
Proposed minimum organic percentage requirement of 70% postponed .
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Organic arable farming - conversion options
Added: 9th October 2008
HGCA has published a new technical guide for arable farmers
New HGCA booklet.
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Welsh organic gathering
Added: 3rd October 2008
Welsh Organic Prod Conference Oct 2008
This year's Organic Centre Wales conference is entitled 'Preparing for a challenging future'
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Zero greenhouse gas farming
Added: 3rd October 2008
New alliance works to trim emissions.
Route to zero greenhouse gas emissions being pursued.
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Harvest progress
Added: 4th September 2008
Comments from The Organic Research Centre’s Crops Team.
Winter cereals trials completed.
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Ups and downs of UK organic market
Added: 1st September 2008
Retail analysts say UK organic market down by 20 per cent
Soil Association disagrees.
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Beans are a sorry crop
Added: 28th July 2008
– you’re either sorry you grew them or didn’t grow more!
Topic of discussion at the recent 'Bean Masterclass' in Kent.
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Arable conversion event draws large crowd
Added: 1st July 2008
OF&G event attracted over 150 delegates.
Potential converts to organic arable production were given an insight into the opportunities and challenges of the sector at an OF&G event.
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Leatherjacket management
Added: 18th June 2008
University of Plymouth publishes info on leatherjackets
A new leaflet from the University of Plymouth on predicting and managing leatherjacket problems in organic crops.
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Winter wheat varieties: Buzzer
Added: 9th June 2008
New winter wheat variety Buzzer may be good for breadmaking
HGCA's review of new varieties shows Buzzer to have breadmaking potential.
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Making more use of research
Added: 2nd June 2008
Research information more accessible for farmers & growers
Mark Measures, Director of the Institute of Organic Training and Advice summarises the improved access to research information for farmers and advisers.
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Oregano oil: a natural insecticide alternative?
Added: 22nd May 2008
Research shows oregano oil works as synthetic insecticide
New research further suggests oregano oil has none of the associated environmental side effects with synthetic insecticides.
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In-conversion grain in organic livestock diets
Added: 15th May 2008
New entrants to the organic sector may be deterred
Hi Peak Feeds fears potential new entrants to the organic sector will be deterred if in-conversion grain for organic livestock diets is withdrawn.
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Organic Grain Market Update
Added: 13th May 2008
Prices and commentary on the organic grain market, from Orga
Prices and commentary on the organic grain market, from Organic Grain Link (May 08).
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Defra approves GM potato trial in Britain
Added: 12th May 2008
Leeds Uni to conduct trial on GM modified potato variety
Defra has given permission for Leeds University to conduct a trial on a genetically modified potato variety.
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Welsh organic sector growth
Added: 2nd May 2008
Growth of organically managed land in Wales set to continue
Results from a producer survey by Organic Centre Wales.
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OCIS: free advice for organic conversion
Added: 2nd May 2008
The service has now closed
Free advice for farmers and growers thinking of converting to organic production.
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Brave new world of sustainable cereals
Added: 21st April 2008
Closing workshop of a 4 year project
Debating the future of European sustainable cereal production.
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Diversity for adversity
Added: 21st April 2008
Researchers discuss composite cross populations in wheat
The future of research and practical application of composite cross populations in wheat is discussed.
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Management and supply of nitrogen
Added: 14th April 2008
PACARes research review
The Review summarises key aspects of nitrogen accumulation, management and utilisation in organic farming systems.
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Use of compost in organic farming
Added: 14th April 2008
PACARes research review
The Review explores the variations in compost and its use in improving plant health and quality.
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UK combinable protein crop production
Added: 14th April 2008
PACARes research review
The Review summarises knowledge and observational experience of combinable protein crop production in organic farming systems.
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Non-inversion organic arable cropping
Added: 14th April 2008
PACARes research looks at non-inversion tillage
This PACARes research review aims to ascertain the likely benefits and possible challenges in moving away from inversion tillage.
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Challenges of stockless organic systems
Added: 11th April 2008
PACARes research review
The Review addresses the issues and main problems faced by producers of stockless organic arable and horticultural systems.
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Organic egg supply chain faces collapse
Added: 8th April 2008
Warning by major organic feed compounder.
Humphreys Feeds warns that high prices of organic raw materials could ‘paralyse’ the organic egg sector.
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Organic Arable launches
Added: 2nd April 2008
Organic Arable - an independent grain marketing organisation
Formerly the Organic Arable Marketing Group, Organic Arable has officially taken over the marketing of members’ grain from Grainfarmers.
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Productivity of organic crops vs. conventional
Added: 31st March 2008
U.S. study investigates productivity of organic systems
A new study has looked at the productivity of organically managed and low-input systems compared to conventional systems.
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Free organic conversion advice launched
Added: 26th March 2008
Defra launches free information and advice service
The new Defra service will provide free information and advice for English farmers considering organic conversion.
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N2O emissions outweigh biofuel CO2 savings?
Added: 19th March 2008
Research suggests that N2O emissions may outweigh CO2 saved
New research suggests that nitrous oxide emissions from growing some biofuel crops may outweigh the potential CO2 savings associated with biofuels.
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New State of Science Review is released
Added: 18th March 2008
The Organic Centre publishes its State of Science Review
The review looks at pesticide residues and risk in conventional and organic food.
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No till organic?
Added: 17th March 2008
Can organic, and no-till crop production be united ?
The latest newsletter from the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada questions whether organic and no-till crop production can be united.
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Northern Arable seminar
Added: 10th March 2008
Encouraging the maximisation of organic arable production
Notes from a meeting aimed at encouraging the maximisation of organic arable production in the north.
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Machinery rings
Added: 10th March 2008
Newsletter outlines the benefits of machinery rings
The latest edition of the Northern Organic Newsletter highlights the work of the Machinery ring Association of England and Wales.
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Svalbard’s global seed vault opens
Added: 26th February 2008
£4.7 million Arctic ‘doomsday’ vault opened
The ‘doomsday’ vault is opened to protect seed samples representing the world’s agricultural biodiversity.
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Compost has potential to fight climate change
Added: 25th February 2008
Compost on agricultural land can reduce GHG emissions
New research suggests that applying compost can increase the absorption of carbon to soil, and therefore reduce GHG emissions.
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Organic conversion does not increase weeds
Added: 22nd February 2008
A new study finds no significant increase in weed diversity
Findings show that there is no significant increase in weed diversity and volume following organic conversion.
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HGCA: Arable Cropping in a Changing Climate
Added: 12th February 2008
Climate change on arable cropping discussed at conference
At the end of January, conference delegates came together to discuss the impact of climate change on arable farming in the UK.
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Doing it right, Doing it better - proceedings
Added: 8th February 2008
The Organic Research Centre's 2nd Producer Conference
Proceedings from the conference, hosted in collaboration with Organic Inform, are now available online.
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Defra publishes climate change critical review
Added: 7th February 2008
Effects of tillage & organics on carbon content of soil
The effects of reduced tillage practices and organic material additions on the carbon content of arable soils.
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Shortages jeopardise organic sector
Added: 25th January 2008
Report from Mintel on demand for organic food
Marketing analysts Mintel suggests that the increased popularity of organic food be its downfall.
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Organic Inform Newsletter
Added: 25th January 2008
Monthly Organic Inform newsletter with latest news & events
Each month, Organic Inform puts together a newsletter with the latest news and events. Register to ensure you receive your copy.
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Battling with blight – the use of copper in 2007
Added: 4th January 2008
Last year worst in 50 years for blight: more copper use?
2007 saw the worst summer in 50 years for blight leading to an increase in the number of organic potato farmers applying for the use of copper.
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Welsh Organic Arable Sector Market Review
Added: 13th August 2007
Organic Centre Wales’ review of the Welsh Organic Arable Sec
Organic Centre Wales’ review of the Welsh Organic Arable Sector is released.
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Proportion of Organic Land increasing in EU
Added: 13th June 2007
Figures released demonstrating growth in organic land
Eurostat has released figures on land in organic production in the EU.
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