Organic Stockless Arable Rotation Experiment 199-2007: Review and Analysis Report (Teagasc).

Summary

• In 2000 an organic rotation research and demonstration experiment was set up at Teagasc (Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority) Oak Park, Co. Carlow, with an overall aim ‘to improve the yield and quality of organic arable crops in Ireland’
• A field scale, long term, stockless seven year rotation experiment was established having three replicates. The single rotation consisted of two years grass / clover pasture followed by five years of cropping, three in cereals, one potato and one legume crop.
• The area was previously in long term silage pasture, which provided a good base from which to convert to organic.
• Within and across the plots a range of ‘component research’ was undertaken, mainly cultivar comparison and some sowing rate experiments.
• The component research varied and is regarded as being at variance with the long term monitoring of the rotation.
• The experiment would benefit from a re-confirmation of its aims, objectives, experimental design and management.
• Considerable value is placed on the instigation of an ‘industry’ consultative group consisting primarily of organic farmers as well as members of the organic movement, and other agricultural representatives.
• It is recommended that the experiment continues to be un-certified, as certification is solely a marketing tool which is often at odds with the requirements of research, especially where standards are at odds with organic principles. It is suggested that a stakeholder representative group would give the experiment the credibility that farmers obtain from certification, i.e., it would be peer reviewed by leading organic farmers.