What Alternative To The Use Of Conventional Straw In Organic Farming System?

Summary

Under organic farming, livestock systems are allowed to use straw from conventional farming system. However, there are still some questions about the risk of element transfer when straw are used for the animal bedding and the consequences on soil quality when manure is applied. Moreover, private marketers could refuse, in the future, products (e.g. milk) from organic farms using conventional straw. In this context, a crucial question is “What alternative to the use of conventional straw in organic farming system?” This question, assessed by a farmer association (Agrobio35), was studied by a group of students. A bibliographic review was done of i) the existing alternatives of conventional straw in organic farming, ii) the feasibility (technic, economic, implementation) of theses alternative by the farmers. This review was completed by a survey of height farmers to collect their feedbacks about the relevance of the alternatives tools they apply (wooden chips, sand, wheat flour). The survey results were used to build a leaflet dedicated for advisors and farmers looking for alternatives.