%0 Conference Paper
%A Schmutz, Dr Ulrich
%A Rayns, Dr Francis
%A Firth, Mr Chris
%A Rosenfeld, Dr Anton
%A Thorup-Kristensen, Dr Kristian
%A Zhang, Dr Kefeng
%A Rahn, Dr Clive
%D 2006
%F orgprints:7292
%T Environmental and economic modelling of organic, stockless, horticultural crop rotations  
%U http://orgprints.org/7292/
%X Selected results from the ongoing “EU-Rotate_N” research project are presented. This EU 5th-framework project is developing a model-based decision support system to optimise nitrogen use in horticultural crop rotations across Europe. This paper introduces the economic and the fertility-building crops sub-models, and shows data from model validation and first model runs on an organic farm in central England. Preliminary results show that the model has the potential to be a powerful support tool for farmers and advisors, making decisions on rotational plan-ning. The economic, agronomic and environmental consequences of different rotational designs can be projected and assessed in detail.