project - EIP-AGRI Operational Group
Danú Farming Group - Project Plan for a Biological Farming Transition Programme
Danú Farming Group - Project Plan for a Biological Farming Transition Programme
Objectives
This project aims to educate farmers on how to implement the principles & practices of biological farming by developing conventional to biological farming transition programme systems.
To achieve this, the project will pursue the following objectives: (i) Identify weaknesses in existing soil, crop & pasture management systems; (ii) Develop guidelines for successful transitions to biological farming based on a sound understanding of soil structure, chemistry, biology and plant nutrition & (iii) Develop & maintain high levels of soil biological function to facilitate nutrient dense food, feed & forages production; an increase in soil organic matter & carbon sequestration potential.
Objectives
This project aims to educate farmers on how to implement the principles & practices of biological farming by developing conventional to biological farming transition programme systems.
To achieve this, the project will pursue the following objectives: (i) Identify weaknesses in existing soil, crop & pasture management systems; (ii) Develop guidelines for successful transitions to biological farming based on a sound understanding of soil structure, chemistry, biology and plant nutrition & (iii) Develop & maintain high levels of soil biological function to facilitate nutrient dense food, feed & forages production; an increase in soil organic matter & carbon sequestration potential.
Activities
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Set up control & trial plots on farms. Baseline information consisting of subjective assessments & objective measurements (comprehensive soil tests and bio assays). Treatments will be based on these results.
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Treatments to improve soil biological activity & function over the course of the project adjusted on the basis of their efficacy.
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Monitoring & evaluating of controls and trials using an array of in-field and laboratory measurements.
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Monitoring of control & trial input costs & output values to assess cost of transition process.
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Group meeting & workshops. Open days for all interested farmers in years 3, 4 & 5.
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Dissemination of results through various media on an ongoing basis
Activities
-
Set up control & trial plots on farms. Baseline information consisting of subjective assessments & objective measurements (comprehensive soil tests and bio assays). Treatments will be based on these results.
-
Treatments to improve soil biological activity & function over the course of the project adjusted on the basis of their efficacy.
-
Monitoring & evaluating of controls and trials using an array of in-field and laboratory measurements.
-
Monitoring of control & trial input costs & output values to assess cost of transition process.
-
Group meeting & workshops. Open days for all interested farmers in years 3, 4 & 5.
-
Dissemination of results through various media on an ongoing basis
Context
Biological farming is a holistic approach to soil, crop and pasture management that accounts for the agronomic, environmental, nutritional, physical, chemical and biological components of what constitutes a healthy soil. It combines the best practices of conventional and organic farming with an emphasis on developing productive soils that display high levels of biological activity. The principles of biological farming are increasingly being adopted in many countries worldwide as evidence grows that its practices can lead to the production of nutrient-dense food, feed and forages in addition to minimising plant diseases with minimal or no herbicide and pesticide usage. The unsustainable nature of conventional high output tillage and pasture production systems currently in operation in Ireland has led to a greater interest in, and openness to more sustainable farming practices, such as biological farming.
Additional information
The expected results and practical recommendations from the project are as follows:
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Farmers learn and implement the basic principles of biological farming.
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Develop transition programmes that can be adopted by any interested farmer.
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Assessment of the financial cost and benefits of transition to biological farming programmes.
Project details
- Main funding source
- Rural development 2014-2020 for Operational Groups
- Rural Development Programme
- 2014IE06RDNP001 Ireland - Rural Development Programme (National)
Location
- Main geographical location
- Midland
€ 400000
Total budget
Total contributions from EAFRD, national co-financing, additional national financing and other financing.
Project keyword
- Aquaculture
- Arable crops
- Organic farming
- Agro-ecology
- Crop rotation/crop diversification/dual-purpose or mixed cropping
- Fodder and feed
- Outdoor horticulture and woody crops (incl. viticulture, olives, fruit, ornamentals)
- Greenhouse crops
- Landscape/land management
- Soil
- Biodiversity and nature
- Competitiveness/new business models
- Farm diversification
Resources
1 Practice Abstracts
Biological farming is a holistic approach to soil, crop and pasture management that accounts for the agronomic, environmental, nutritional, physical, chemical and biological components of what constitutes a healthy soil. It combines the best practices of conventional and organic farming with an emphasis on attaining productive soils that display high levels of biological activity. The principles of biological farming are increasingly being adopted in many countries worldwide as evidence grows that its practices can lead to the production of nutrient-dense food, feed and forages in addition to minimising plant diseases with minimal or no herbicide and pesticide usage. The unsustainable nature of high output tillage and pasture production systems currently in operation in Ireland has led to a greater interest in, and openness to more sustainable farming practices, such as biological farming. DANÚ Farming Group (DANÚ FG) consists of sixteen individuals who have come together as a group to review their current farming systems, identify weaknesses in their existing soil, crop and pasture management systems and subsequently implement a transition programme to a biological farming system. The focus of this project is for DANÚ FG to learn and implement the basic principles of biological farming.
Biological farming is a holistic approach to soil, crop and pasture management that accounts for the agronomic, environmental, nutritional, physical, chemical and biological components of what constitutes a healthy soil. It combines the best practices of conventional and organic farming with an emphasis on attaining productive soils that display high levels of biological activity. The principles of biological farming are increasingly being adopted in many countries worldwide as evidence grows that its practices can lead to the production of nutrient-dense food, feed and forages in addition to minimising plant diseases with minimal or no herbicide and pesticide usage. The unsustainable nature of high output tillage and pasture production systems currently in operation in Ireland has led to a greater interest in, and openness to more sustainable farming practices, such as biological farming. DANÚ Farming Group (DANÚ FG) consists of sixteen individuals who have come together as a group to review their current farming systems, identify weaknesses in their existing soil, crop and pasture management systems and subsequently implement a transition programme to a biological farming system. The focus of this project is for DANÚ FG to learn and implement the basic principles of biological farming.
Contacts
Project coordinator
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David Wallace
Project coordinator
Project partners
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Dr Christine Jones
Project partner
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Precision Nutrition Ltd
Project partner
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Teagasc
Project partner