Ressource efficiency

Compared to high input systems of agriculture organic farming has lower area productivity. Whereas its positive effects on biodiversity and its lower energy use per area are obvious. In many production steps resource efficiency in energy use and in environmental issues are not clear and options for possible improvements by management are not analysed.

Ongoing projects

RindforNet

Agricultural soils have high potential to bind additional carbon and can contribute to climate protection. Preserving and enrichment of humus will protect or build up soil fertility. How farmers can adapt their cropland management and how they might be might be paid for this eco-service is analysed in the INTERREG project ‘Carbon Farming’ with participation of the Thünen Institute of Organic Farming.

Small robots for smart organic farming

The joint project aims at innovations through robot support in the management of organic farms, e.g. in the protection of poultry from birds of prey, in grassland management and in weed control.

Finished projects

Soils as Carbon Sink - Business Models for Climate Goals

Green house gas impact of Norwegian milk

Due to site and climate conditions milk production in North Scandinavia is special. In the Norwegian county Møre og Romsdal organic and conventional dairy farming is based on grassland. Concentrates are generally imported in the farms. Grazing is not only done on the cultivated farm area and pastures, but often also semi natural grassland and rangelands in the mountains. The Norwegian research project ENVIROMILK is addressing the sustainability of 20 organic and conventional dairy farms in this region by analysing and modelling nutrient flows, energy use, economy and climate gasses.

Grassland and phosphorous flows - mobilisation by growth

Phosphorous is a finite resource. Soil reserves must be used more efficient. Due to its high biological activity grassland is particularly important for the phosphorous cycle of farms.