Organic Research Blossoms in Canada

By Brenda Frick

The Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada recently hosted the First Canadian Organic Research Workshop at the University of Guelph, in Guelph, ON. The number of scientists and graduate students who presented research, and the calibre of that research indicate a vigorous and growing focus on organic agriculture as a path toward sustainability. Significant advantages are demonstrated by organic agriculture, yet serious challenges remain. Research is targeting these challenges and making important headway.

Several common trends are emerging from comparisons of organically and "conventionally" managed land. Crop yields are generally somewhat reduced under organic management. Maintaining acceptable yields is generally quite possible, provided that careful attention is directed to crop rotation, soil fertility and weed control. On the prairies, a soil-building, nitrogen-fixing crop may be needed as often as one year in two to maintain yields. On more intensive operations, such as vegetable or potato production in the Maritimes, composted manures or other organically approved amendments can supply nutrient levels sufficient for yields that are comparable to "conventional". In organic orchard production, a variety of biological and physical methods are required to reduce the difficulties that arise from harmful insects, weeds, and excessive fruit set.

A slight reduction in yield for organic crops is generally well offset by reduced input costs in extensive systems and by higher market value in both intensive and extensive systems. Several studies indicate profitability of organic systems is higher than it is in "conventional" systems.

Organic systems tend to perform well on a number of indicators of soil or ecosystem health. Beneficial organisms, especially soil micro-organisms, are more active in organic soils. Mycorrhizal associations are more frequent, and this improves nutrient uptake, and the effective use of micronutrients. Cation exchange capacity, the ability of soils to hold plant nutrients, was higher in soils amended with compost than in soils treated with chemical fertilizers.

The production of chemical fertilizers and pesticides requires major inputs of natural gas. Because organic systems approach fertility and pest management differently, they consistently use less energy. Typically, this results in lower carbon emissions. Organic systems are more energy efficient; they use less fuel energy to produce a unit of food energy.

None-the-less, organic systems have serious challenges. On the prairies, especially in systems that do not integrate livestock, phosphorous depletion from the soil is a serious concern. Erosion potential can be high, especially where a combination of drought and grasshoppers has reduced crop residues. Weed management may require the integration of a variety of techniques to be successful. In wetter regions, disease may be an issue. For potatoes and apples, selection of disease resistant varieties is important.

Selection of varieties of crops and breeds of animals is important for organic management. Organic producers often express the concern that breeding programs for high input systems may be less beneficial to organic production. Spring wheat illustrates this concern. Modern varieties yield more than historical varieties under "conventional" management. Modern varieties have less advantage under organic management. This suggests that organic systems may benefit from breeding programs targeted toward them. Likewise, purebred dairy cows are the norm in "conventional" systems. Organic dairy producers are much more likely to use crossbred dairy cows in the hope that they will be healthier and hardier animals, requiring fewer inputs.

We were fortunate to have two European researchers who encouraged us with their experience. Organic farms are more common in Europe. Research projects that support organic farming have a longer history and greater funding. In Europe, multifunctional research farms, dedicated to organic, facilitate basic research, on-farm research projects, and extension, and they form the basis of demonstration projects and field days.

Many of our results parallel those found in Europe: similar but slightly lower yields for organic, emphasis required on weed control techniques, improved nutrient management and an improved environmental footprint for organic systems. Comparisons of soil parameters showed an advantage to biodynamic and organic systems. Long-term studies indicate that systems continue to develop for up to 20 years.

For me, one of the most memorable comments came from Paul Mäder of Switzerland. When explaining a long term rotational study, where most of the field operations are done by farmers, he said that the "knowledge is in the hearts and hands and minds of the farmers". As we move to even greater levels of scientific research in organic agriculture, I hope we continue to hold this level of respect for our on-farm research partners, and that we strive for the kind of knowledge that permeates our hearts and hands, rather than simply our academic minds.


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