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Organic rapeseed production in Finland

Hakala, K. (2013) Organic rapeseed production in Finland. In: Løes, Anne-Kristin; Askegaard, Margrethe; Langer, Vibeke; Partanen, Kirsi; Pehme, Sirli; Rasmussen, Ilse A.; Salomon, Eva; Sørensen, Peter; Ullvén, Karin and Wivstad, Maria (Eds.) Organic farming systems as a driver for change, NJF Report, no. 9 (3), pp. 137-138.

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Summary

Most of the 56 organic rapeseed growers interviewed in this research acknowledged modest success in rapeseed yield (often under 500 kg/ha, on average about 800-900 kg/ha), but kept continuing cultivation because of other benefits such as good price and well functioning markets of the product, flexibility in sowing time, possibility to cultivate a temporary fallow to fight the weeds, and need for protein rich fodder for own or neighbor livestock. The main complications in rapeseed cultivation were unfavorable weather conditions, pests and insufficient nutrient levels for optimal yields. The farmers followed carefully the instructions from research and advisory institutions, but were also innovative in developing their own solutions to problems. Because of different conditions with neighboring farms, different soil types and climatic conditions, different sources of fertilizers and availability of pollinators, tailor-made solutions for every farm individually are imperative. Despite problems most farmers were optimistic and were readily investing in the future e.g. by renting and buying more field area for cultivation. Success in organic rapeseed cultivation seems to coincide with optimism, good relationships with family members and neighbors, availability of affordable fertilizers and relatively large cultivation area for efficient crop rotation.


EPrint Type:Conference paper, poster, etc.
Type of presentation:Paper
Agrovoc keywords:
Language
Value
URI
English
Rapeseed
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_25499
English
Organic agriculture
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_15911
English
Crop yield
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_10176
English
Finland
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_2905
Subjects: Crop husbandry > Production systems > Cereals, pulses and oilseeds
Crop husbandry > Crop health, quality, protection
Research affiliation: International Conferences > 2013: NJF Seminar 461 - Organic farming systems as a driver for change
ISSN:1653-2015
Deposited By: Sørensen, Peter
ID Code:24584
Deposited On:06 Nov 2013 21:42
Last Modified:06 Nov 2013 21:42
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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