Organic production systems

In considering pesticide residues, it was clearly shown that crops from organic production systems contain no or significantly lower levels of pesticide residues than crops from conventional systems (Baker et al., 2002). However, while some scientists are concerned about the potential health impacts from such residues (Porter et al., 1999 Benbrook, 2002), pesticide legislators maintain that current pesticide risk assessments and pesticide registration procedures are adequate and that residues below the current legal limits can not have a negative health impact in humans (e.g. PSD, 2006). 

Review the current concepts and practices of quality assurance in organic production systems. 

Fig. 2.1 Logical framework for organic production systems (redrawn with permission from Leifert et al., 2007). Shaded area represents agronomic practices prescribed or recommended under organic and other low input farming standards.

Castellini C., Mugnai C. and Dal Bosco A. (2002). Effect of organic production system on broiler carcass and meat quality . Meat Science, 60, 219-225. 

Improving the quality and shelf life of fruit from organic production systems... 

Animal welfare is an issue that is, at the moment, subject to these kinds of differentiation regarding standards and assurance schemes (Roux and Miele, 2005). A number of initiatives have been taken both within and in parallel to organic production systems, all with the aim of improving farm animal welfare, but with rather diverse standards and expectations. 

Abbasi PA, Al-Dahmani J, Sahin F, Hoitink HAJ, Miller SA (2002) Effect of compost amendments on disease severity and yield of tomato in conventional and organic production systems. Plant Dis 86 156-161... 

McCoy, S. and Parlevliet, G. (eds) 2001. Organic Production Systems Beef, Wheat, Grapes and Wines, Oranges and Carrots. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Barton. 

Smith, E.G., Clapperton, M.J. and Blackshaw, R.E. 2004b. Profitability and risk of organic production systems in the northern Great Plains. American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 19(3) 152-158. 

Mazzola, M., Andrews, P.K., Reganold, J.P. and Levesque, C.A. 2002. Frequency, virulence, and metalaxyl sensitivity of Pythium spp. isolated from apple roots under conventional and organic production systems. Plant Disease 86 669-675. 

Rosado-May, F.J., Werner, M.R., Chessman, S.R. and Webb, R. 1994. Incidence of strawberry root fungi in conventional and organic production systems. Applied Soil Ecology 1 261-267. 

Several issues must be considered when trying to answer the question of whether there is a general animal welfare problem in organic production systems. The first one is the issue of... 

Slopes, C., Millington, S. and Woodward, L. 1996. Dry matter and nitrogen accumulation by three leguminous green manure species and the yield of a following wheat crop in an organic production system. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 57 189-196. 

Organic production systems are complex out of necessity, since soil fertility and plant protection are provided by applying the principles of ecology and lessons from natural ecosystems. It is this complexity, in part, that makes the need for unique education and training opportunities so important for organic farmers. In addition, the lack of institutional support with information from universities and government agencies in most countries makes this a valuable area to explore and for which to seek appropriate educational options. 

---