Intensively used and organic grasslands: Comparison on the basis of the yield potential and forage quality
2001
Geherman, V. | Viiralt, R. | Parol, A. (Estonian Agricultural Univ., Tartu (Estonia). Dept. of Soil Science and Agrochemistry)
Organic farming is based on specific standards of production which aim is to achieve ecologically and socially sustainable agro-ecosystems. Interest in organic farming and food quality has rapidly increased in the last decade. Grassland production based on legumes is an essential component of the productivity and economy of the organic farming systems. In Estonia, up to now, no special studies have been conducted on the organic grassland management. The objective of this research was to compare production potential of organic grasslands with conventional ones. Three pairs of dairy farms located in different regions of Estonia were selected. Each pair included one organic farm and one conventional farm. The soil characteristics, botanical composition, dry matter and crude protein yield of red clover-grass leys were determined in 2000. Preliminary results did not show large differences between two farm types studied, because conventional farmers use legume-grass mixtures due to high prices of mineral N too. It can be concluded that in Estonia there are good preconditions and opportunities to develop organic grassland systems, but it is necessary to extent research in this field
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