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Research in Biodynamic Agriculture

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Research in Biodynamic Agriculture A project facilitated by the Research and Development Group of the Bio Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association The production of this report and catalogue has been supported through funding by the Ministry for the Environment’s Sustainable Management Fund, Dexcel (previously the Dairy Research Corporation), and the Tindall Foundation. Section 6 – Case-Study of New Zealand Dairy Farms in Transition describes a project funded by the Pacific Development Trust . We would particularly like to acknowledge and thank the funding organizations; the assistance provided by the Louis Bolk Institute (The Netherlands); all the contributors who put in more time and effort than remunerated for, the financial management assistance and editorial advice given by David Wright, the Executive Secretary of the Bio Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association; the assistance with formatting by Denise Taylor, and editing assistance by Editext, Massey University. Disclaimer This publication is supported by the Sustainable Management Fund and as such the Ministry for the Environment does not endorse or support the content of this publication in any way. A REPORT AND CATALOGUE PREPARED WITH FUNDING FROM THE MINISTRY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT’S SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT FUND (NO. 2191), DEXCEL AND THE TINDALL FOUNDATION Authors: Frank van Steensel MSc Eco-Agri-Logic Phillipa Nicholas PhD Dexcel Hella Bauer-Eden MSc Independent research Gavin Kenny PhD Earthwise Consulting Hugh Campbell PhD University of Otago Margaret Ritchie MSc University of Otago A. Neil Macgregor PhD Massey University Marion Koppenol Bio Dynamic Association Gary Blake MSc Bio Dynamic Association Peter Bacchus Bio Dynamic Association Project leader and main editor: Gill Cole BSc, Bio Dynamic Association Research manager: Frank van Steensel MSc, Bio Dynamic Association Evaluation manager: Gareth Bodle, Bio Dynamic Association Other contributors: Brendon Hoare Artistic design: Chris Elliot Contents Page ___________________________________________________________________________ ORGANIC RESEARCH REVIEW PROJECT – SUMMARY........................................... 1 The Soil System and Organic Soil Management .....................................................................2 Dairy Pasture Management ...................................................................................................2 Orchard Soil and Understorey Management ...........................................................................2 Research on Biodynamic Agriculture.....................................................................................3 Socio-Economic Research ....................................................................................................3 A Farm Case-Study ..............................................................................................................3 Water Management ..............................................................................................................3 Research and Organic Institutions..........................................................................................3 Recommendations ................................................................................................................4 1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 7 Aims and Target Audience....................................................................................................8 Key Issues ...........................................................................................................................9 Sources..............................................................................................................................10 How to Use this Report and Search for Information..............................................................10 References.........................................................................................................................11 RECOMMENDATIONS....................................................................................................... 12 Soil Management ...............................................................................................................13 Dairy Pasture Management .................................................................................................13 Orchard Management .........................................................................................................14 Research in Biodynamic Agriculture....................................................................................15 Social and Economic Dynamics of Organic Agriculture........................................................15 Organic Farm Case-Studies/Farm Comparisons ....................................................................16 Water ................................................................................................................................16 2 THE SOIL SYSTEM: THE DEVELOPMENT AND FUNCTIONS OF SOIL...... 19 What is the Function of a Soil? ............................................................................................20 The Soil System and Agriculture .........................................................................................22 Soil Quality........................................................................................................................23 Research Review................................................................................................................24 Soil Quality and Organic Soil Management..........................................................................25 Conclusions .......................................................................................................................39 Recommendations ..............................................................................................................40 References.........................................................................................................................41 3 ORGANIC DAIRY PASTURE SYSTEMS – A REVIEW....................................... 51 Introduction .......................................................................................................................51 Soils Under Pasture............................................................................................................51 Organic Pasture Systems ....................................................................................................54 ___________________________________________________________________________ A Review of NZ and International Organic Land Management Research i Contents Page Recommendations ..............................................................................................................59 References.........................................................................................................................60 4 ORGANIC FRUIT PRODUCTION IN NEW ZEALAND – A REVIEW OF UNDERSTOREY AND SOIL MANAGEMENT LITERATURE........................... 67 Introduction .......................................................................................................................67 New Zealand Literature on Understorey and Soil Management..............................................67 International Literature on Understorey and Soil Management...............................................69 What Are the Gaps in Knowledge that Need to be Addressed in New Zealand? ......................75 References.........................................................................................................................77 5 RESEARCH IN BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE.................................................. 83 Introduction .......................................................................................................................83 Research Approaches .........................................................................................................84 Research Findings Relating to the Biodynamic Preparations..................................................87 Recommendations for Further Research and Training ...........................................................90 References.........................................................................................................................92 6 RESEARCH REVIEW: SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DYNAMICS OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE...................................................................................... 97 Overview of Material Covered ............................................................................................97 Recommendations ..............................................................................................................97 Industry Development/Sociology.........................................................................................98 New Zealand Studies ..........................................................................................................99 Economic Performance..................................................................................................... 100 Grower Conversion........................................................................................................... 100 Factors Involved in the Decision to Become an Organic Grower ......................................... 101 References....................................................................................................................... 103 List of Useful Sites ..........................................................................................................
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