Research in Organic Agriculture

Researchers: Paul Voroney, E. Ann Clark and Ralph Martin (Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro NS). Maren Oelbermann, PhD, Tahir Rashid, PhD, Karen Maitland, Research Associate, Cory Roberts, PhD graduate student, Melanie Adamson, Undergraduate

Objectives:

1. To compare soil characteristics on organic and conventional farms in southern Ontario.
2. To compare soil attributes on organic vegetable vs. grain/livestock farms, to determine if tillage frequency and/or withholding land from cultivation under perennial forages affect soil properties.
3. To assess greenhouse gas emissions from compost using on-farm composting techniques and methods to reduce these emissions.

Funding Source: OMAF Competitive Research Funds, Summer assistantship (URA): $5000 (Melanie Adamson)

Researchers: E. Ann Clark and Karen Maitland, Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph (Part of a larger project - Assessing Composting, Soil, Crop, And Livestock Management For Organic And Transitional Systems in Ontario, by Ralph Martin, Paul Voroney, and E. Ann Clark)

Abstract: Seventeen farm-crop combinations from six Ontario organic farms were monitored in 2003. The goal was to quantify nutrient and energy flow and soil, crop, and livestock management on farms differing in livestock and forage dependence. Farm infrastructure fell within the ranges typical of Ontario farms, including a landbase ranging from 41-243 ha. Capital cost of buildings ranged from $15-75,000, while equipment cost from $10,000 (horse-based) to $260,000 (mechanized). Yields were roughly 50, 70, 100, and 120% of provincial yields for soy, spelt (v. winter wheat), mixed grains, and hay. From an energy perspective, total labor for seedbed preparation, planting, weed control and harvesting averaged 2.8 hr/ha on mechanized vs. 7 to 40 hr/ha on horse-drawn farms. Number of field passes for seedbed preparation and weed control ranged from 1 to 5 (mean 3.5) per field. Most nutrients were supplied by composted manure, which was applied almost solely to soy and spelt for sale. Compost provided up to 148, 55, and 184 kg N, P, and K/ha respectively. Small grains grown primarily for on-farm feed tended to be unfertilized or were preceded by a forage plowdown or hay crop. Implied nutrient export averaged 41, 57, and 78 kg N/ha for spring grains, spelt, and soy, respectively. Comparable figures for P were 9, 14, and 9 kg/ha and for K were 13, 19, and 24 kg/ha, respectively. Soil organic matter, P, and K levels were consistent with healthy, well managed soils. Perennial forages were prominent on most farms, with N-fixing crops accounting for 60%, and living winter covers for 64% of reported 6-year rotations. However, the healthy soils and high yields found on the one stockless farm in the study disputed the premise that livestock, whether via manure or perennial forages in crop rotations, are essential for soil sustainability. Results will contribute to efforts underway at the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada to model nutrient and energy flow on organic farms.

Funding Source: OMAF New Directions

Researchers: Karen Maitland, and E. Ann Clark, Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph.

Abstract: From 10 to 13 farms were surveyed annually between 2001 and 2003, to establish a database of agronomic and soil management practices, such as landbase distribution and crop rotations, production practices and inputs, farmer-identified pests and management practices, crop and livestock genetics, and farmer-identified production and marketing constraints. Farms were selected to enable contrasts between horticultural (hort) and field crop farms, and between those with and without access to livestock manure, using pasture farms as the soil control. Assessments were based on broccoli, carrot, and potato crops on hort farms, and spring grain, winter cereal, and soybean fields on field crop farms. Soils under permanent pasture were significantly higher in soil organic matter (SOM), K, and Mg than hort and field crop soils, with similar but not significant trends in P and Ca. Soils did not differ between hort and field crop farms in any measured parameter, with SOM of 4.1 (n=30) and 3.8% (n=39), respectively and with P and K levels generally in the low to medium range for hort crops and in the medium to high range for field crops, based on OMAF recommendations. Degree of livestock integration, independent of farm type, influenced most measured parameters, but as most farms employed either perennial forages in the rotation or composted livestock manure or both, trends were not always significant. Crop rotations averaged 7 courses on both hort and field crop farms, with living winter soil cover on 42 and 64% of the hort and field crop farms, respectively. Pest species identified by farmers were highly site-specific, as corroborated for weeds with quadrat sampling. Lambsquarters was the only weed accounting for at least 5% of weed biomass on all 5 hort farms, and on 4 of 6 field crop farms. Pigweed, grasses, and wild mustard were prominent on hort farms, as were grasses, clovers, alfalfa, and ragweed on field crop farms. On average, weed biomass was twice as high on field crop as on hort crop farms, reflecting differences in cultivation intensity. The site-specificity of both the management practices and pest problems will necessitate novel research methods to serve the organic farming community.

Funding Source: OMAF Contract; Organic Advocates, Canadian Organic Growers, Greenpeace, Canadian Health Food Association, OntarBio, Ontario Natural Foods Coop, Guelph Organic Conference.

Researchers: Wendy Asbil and Simon Lachance

Objectives: Identifying and understanding the biotic factors that reduce crop production is the first step in developing strategies to manage or prevent problems in order to avoid or rectify economic losses. Forage and cereal crops are essential components of the crop and livestock industries in Eastern Ontario. To maintain high levels of production, it is essential to identify and monitor new pest problems as they arise in order to develop best management practices. This project is a short-term assessment of biotic risks to forage and cereal crop producers in Eastern Ontario. It will identify, quantify and monitor weeds and insects in 2004, provide an indication of potential new threats may be in subsequent years. The survey and sampling aspects of this project will provide an inventory of weed problems and insects (pest and beneficial) of forages and cereals under different soil and management systems. This assessment will provide a database that can be used to provide localized action plans for farmers to minimize the occurrence and effects of pests. Information on interactions among soil type, weather, prior pesticide use, cropping history, systems and pests will be available on a regional basis for Eastern Ontario. Maps of weed and insect incidence and severity will be developed using the data. These and other results of the project will enable farmers, researchers, extension personnel and industry to better predict and solve problems in the future. Moreover, as climatic changes may potentially affect cropping systems, the information gathered in the study will serve as a background with which flora and fauna changes in forages and cereals could be quantitatively and qualitatively compared.

Researchers: Wendy Asbil

Objectives:This project is a continuation of the work initiated in 2003. Results from the 2003 season suggest that there may be interactions among cereal varieties, seeding dates and rates. To better understand the effects of frost seeding, early conventional and late seeding at different seeding rates and between varieties within a species under different seasonal growing conditions, further data is required. Spring cereal producers are concerned about the effects of seeding date on yield, quality and pest management. Some seed companies are encouraging farmers to use higher seeding rates. Under adverse growing conditions and later seeding dates, producers question whether a 10-25% increase in seeding rate will improve the performance of spring cereals to levels equivalent with early seeding. Although the benefits of early seeding for all spring cereals are well documented, there are no current studies that compare early seeding methods such as frost seeding and no-till seeding along with conventional seeding at different dates for several cereal species, varieties and seeding rates.

Researchers: Wendy Asbil

Objectives: Seed production of soybeans, cereals and dry beans is an important sector of crop production in eastern Ontario. Soybean acreage, for example, has increased in Eastern Ontario in the past five years and yields have been good. Part of the success has been less disease and insect pressure than in more established soybean areas. To maintain this high level of production, it is important to understand and monitor new pest problems as they arise in order to apply best management practices. Farmers need information on pest management methods to suit their cropping practices and, at the same time, be sure that crop production and profit will not be compromised. This research should help to identify and evaluate how chemical and non-chemical (rotations, residues, cover crops) pest control options can optimize crop production as well as minimize pests and environmental impact.

1. To identify new or increasing and monitor status of existing insect and weed pests in eastern Ontario. This will be done as a weed and insect survey already in progress for field crops across eastern Ontario.
2. To evaluate and develop control methods for selected problems identified in objective 1 based on the pest spectra, soils, climate and seed crop characteristics of eastern Ontario. These practices will include pesticide testing as well as cultural/mechanical methods to reduce pest pressure.

Researchers: Wendy Asbil

Objectives: Reducing environmental impact of agriculture, maintaining crop productivity and quality, increasing crop diversification and improving opportunities for rural communities are priorities for Ontario agriculture. The goals of this project include the development of sustainable pest management options for traditional and alternative crops. Cover crops, crop residue management, mulches, crop rotations, chemical and natural pesticides are important components of integrated pest management systems. This project examines the potential of these methods to improve weed, insect and disease control in selected agronomic and horticultural crops under Eastern Ontario growing conditions. Changes in tillage practices, the corresponding shifts in weed populations, as well as herbicide resistant weeds and herbicide tolerant crops have added to the choices producers must make in weed control programs. New pesticide products, use rates, application timings, application techniques and tank mixes are being developed every year. Although weed management is the main focus, insect, disease and other pests will be investigated. As farmers are encouraged to consider diversification, pest management strategies must be developed or modified to ensure successful integration of alternative crops into existing cropping systems. The impact and control of weeds and diseases on bioenergy crops such as switchgrass and niche crops such as flax or chickpeas will also be considered.

Researchers: Paul Voroney, Drs. Derek Lynch (PI), Alan Fredeen, and Ralph Martin (Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro NS), Ann Verhagen (EFAO). Dr. Paola Rozzi, Post-doctoral fellow, Cory Roberts, PhD graduate student, Melissa Arcand, MSc graduate student, Candice Timbers, Summer assistant.

Objectives:

1. To characterize whole farm nutrient status under organic dairy production.
2. To develop and assess recommendations for improved phosphorus use efficiency for organic dairying.
3. To evaluate key indices of soil quality as a soil management tool.
4. To identify productive and functional traits to be considered for selection by Ontario organic dairy farms.
5. To develop alternative selection indices and on farm breeding strategies and to compare them under different scenarios.
6. To generate a database of case studies as transition support tools.

Funding Source: OMAF New Directions

Researchers: Paul Sharpe, Jonathan Morgan, Dennis McKnight Cory Roberts, PhD graduate student, Melissa Arcand, MSc graduate student, Candice Timbers, Summer assistant

Objectives: This project began as an experiment in 2000, with the plan to include data from the first lactation only, but with new funding, was extended through three lactations. All four replications of feeding groups of 48 heifers from four to twelve months of age were completed by May 24, 2002. First breeding and calving of heifers were close to schedule. The first heifers completed their first lactation in December, 2002. Body measurements (wither height, hip height, hip width, hearth girth, teat length) were recorded every fourth week from four to twelve months of age. First lactation milk data from the two commercial farms, via DHI and DairyComp 305, has been obtained from 86 of 192 cows as of January, 2004. At first calving, measurements included body weight (from heart girth and hip-o-meter), body condition score and udder edema score. Milk production, proportion of cows still in the herd at the end of one, two and three lactations and reasons for culling will be compared among treatments. Data collection will continue through 2006.

Funding Source: Dairy Farmers of Ontario $70,000 over five years. University of Guelph Dairy Research Program $7500/year over four years.

Researchers: Paul Sharpe, Cory Roberts, PhD graduate student, Melissa Arcand, MSc graduate student, Candice Timbers, Summer assistant

Objectives: Feeding flax seed to dairy cows has been shown to improve fertility and reduce the incidence of embryonic death. The objective of this pair of experiments is to detect differences in fatty acids and prostaglandin F-2alpha concentration in venous blood of dairy heifers and lactating dairy cows that are fed diets that differ in their fatty acid composition and ratios of linoleic to linolenic acid (flax 1:4, sunflower 100:1 and megalac 28:1). Sampling covered the periods of ovarian follicle development, corpus luteum regression and embryo implantation. We are waiting for results of prostaglandin analysis to determine whether this hormone is involved in the difference in fertility between control and flax fed cows. Colleagues are assessing the effects of dietary fatty acids on numbers and quality of embryos produced and survival of those embryos when transferred to recipient heifers, in order to determine where flax may have its fertility enhancing effect. Future experiments will be aimed at determining effects of flax and sunflower seed on phospholipids in egg cell membranes and proportions of eggs (oocytes) that persist through culture, in vitro fertilization, freezing and thawing.

Funding Source: OMAF/University of Guelph Dairy Research Program $22,500 over three years.

Researchers: Paul Sharpe, Dennis McKnight, Rajendra Rana (Agriculture Environment Renewal Canada, Inc.), Cory Roberts, PhD graduate student, Melissa Arcand, MSc graduate student, Candice Timbers, Summer assistant

Objectives: Agriculture Environment Renewal Canada, Inc. is a seed company based in Nepean that develops lines of pearl millet, sorghum and chick peas for use in temperate climates. We have been testing forages and grains from these lines in animal feeds since 1996. Recent and current lines under testing are brown mid-rib varieties of pearl millet and sorghum for forage. Tests include growth of calves and production of milk from mid-lactation dairy cows when portions of control diets are replaced with test feeds. Animal performance is so far unchanged when these novel feed sources are used. Feed quality of pearl millet and sorghum forages is approximately equivalent to a mixture of alfalfa and grass.

Funding Source: AERC contributes seed for producing the feed crops and the salary of a postdoctoral researcher.

Researchers: Paul Sharpe, Dennis McKnight, Wendy Asbil, Adrian Unc (U of Ottawa), Susan Springthorpe (U of Ottawa), Cory Roberts, PhD graduate student, Melissa Arcand, MSc graduate student, Candice Timbers, Summer assistant

Objectives: A proposal to quantify indicator bacteria (indicators of fecal contamination) in a small stream was incorporated into a larger study (Quantifying the risk of pathogens from agricultural enterprises entering water resources) led by Dr. Michael Goss of Land Resource Science. Our objectives are:

1. Determine background levels of indicator bacteria over two years in water and sediments from the headwaters of a creek known to have water quality problems.
2. Determine levels of indicator bacteria and phosphorus in water and sediments from a creek with water quality problems, at points above and below several farms.
3. Use levels of persistent microorganisms (Clostridia and B. fragilis phages) in sediments to evaluate historical levels of water contamination in this creek.
4. Evaluate the correlation between potential contamination sources and the genotypic and physiological changes in the microbial population in the creek sediments.
5. Use college records of field treatments and agricultural inputs (tillage, manure and fertilizer application) on fields draining into the studied creek, along with data on bacteria and phosphorus in sediments to assess relative risks of various agricultural practices.
6. In the third and fourth years, test treatments such as riparian buffers, manure application techniques and grazing techniques for their influence on levels of indicator microorganisms and phosphorus in creek water and sediment.
7. Study different forage species (reed canary grass, tall fescue, switch grass) in riparian buffer strips for their effects on bacterial and phosphorus content of runoff water.
8. Use bacterial tracers to determine the gradient of effects at several downstream sites, of agricultural practices identified as needing further study.
9. Test whether initial training of heifers to use a waterbowl will keep heifers using the waterbowl and not using the creek when they are pastured adjacent to the creek with the waterbowl in the pasture. Determine effects of supplying the waterbowl or not to heifers pastured adjacent to and not fenced from the creek on bacteria and phosphorus levels in water and sediment. Actual sampling will begin in September, 2004.

Funding Source: OMAF/University of Guelph Food and Environment Research Program, approximately $26,000/year for four years.

Researchers: Peter Kevan, Les Shipp (AAFC Harrow), Bruce Broadbent (AAFC London), Mohammad Al Mazra'awi (Ph. D. Candidate), Jean Pierre Kapongo (Ph. D. Candidate).

The production of crops in greenhouses in Canada tends to be largely pesticide free, especially because of the use of insect biocontrol agents against pests such as aphids, thrips, and plant sucking bugs. Some greenhouse crops, such as tomatoes and melons require pollination by insects and bumblebees are used extensively. Others, such as bell peppers benefit from insect pollination by producing better quality, larger fruit. The use of pollinators to deliver biocontrol agents against pests was pioneered at the University of Guelph when Professors John Sutton and Peter Kevan worked with then Ph. D. Candidate Peng Gang to protect strawberries from grey mould by using a fungal-antagonistic fungus delivered to strawberry flowers by pollinating honeybees. The results were as good as the usual applications of chemical fungicide in suppressing the incidence of grey mould and preserving the strawberries from rot. Newer research has shifted to the use of entomopathogenic fungi delivered to the flowers of canola in the field, and of bell peppers in the greenhouse. Success has been achieved in suppressing the populations of pestiferous tarnished plant bugs on canola and peppers, and of thrips on greenhouse peppers. The fungus applied by pollinators is Beauvaria bassiana, which is relatively innocuous to the bees. The crops, benefit from the double-whammy of better pollination and protection from pests.

Funding Source: AAFC (through L. Shipp, AAFC Harrow), Candian Network for Biological Control (collaborative with L. Shipp. AAFC Harrow)

Researchers: Peter Kevan, Brian Husband, R. Smith (AAFC Kentville NS), Paul Kron, Cory Sheffield (Ph. D. Candidate), and others.

Apples require cross-pollination between cultivars for fruit to be set. The better the pollination, the higher the quality of the fruit in terms of size, uniformity of shape, colour, and storage characteristics. Over a number of years, apple pollination research has shown that using honeybee pollinators results in financially significant gains and extra profitability in production. Part of the management strategy for sustainable apple production, and for organic apple production must be founded in pollination and orchard design. We have found that mostly pollen does not move across more than about 4 rows of apple trees, or about four trees along a given row. Thus, inter-planting of apple cultivars are important in orchard design. Solid block planting result in poor yields in their centres. We have also found that some cultivars of apple produce “stud pollen”. That is to say, the pollen of some cultivars (pollinizers) is superior at fertilizing ovules of other cultivars. Thus, the nature of the mix of trees in an apple orchard is also important to maximizing yields. We have also discovered that pollen grains that are delivered to a given stigma do not necessarily fertilize the ovules associated with the carpel to which that stigma’s style lead. We have also been investigating the use of alternative pollinators for apple pollination. Orchard bees are widely used in Japan, and are being applied in other places. The Blue Orchard Bee (BOB) has been found efficacious in parts of the USA and now in Nova Scotia. The aims of research on pollinator diversity in apple production are to relieve the orchardists of so much dependence on honeybees when apiculture is under so much stress from parasites and diseases.

Funding Source: Ontario Research Enhancement Project, NSERC Discovery Grant, OMAFRA and some growers.

Researchers: Peter Kevan

Pollination by insects is responsible for 1 in 3 mouthfuls of the food we eat. Conservation and diversification of pollination services in agriculture is of crucial importance to food security and agroecosystem sustainability. Research at the University of Guelph is on-going and global in scope and ties closely to issues raised by The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). CBD has recognized that pollinator abundance and diversity is under stress world wide, thus a major thrust has been initiated to try to reverse the trend in agricultural ecosystems. Kevan's laboratory is very much involved in those issues in Canada, North America, and the world (www.uoguelph.ca/~inesp, www.uoguelph.ca/~iucn).

Funding Source: NSERC Discovery Grant, North American Pollinator Proection Campaign (travel to meetings), The Food & Agricultural (travel to meetings), Organisation of the United Nations, Convention on Biological Diversity, Blue Ribbon Panel on The Forgotten Pollinators.

Researchers: Peter Kevan

As more and more becomes understood about the complex interactions of organisms in agricultural and natural ecosystems, the need for incorporating ecological principles into management of agroecosytems, and into conservation ecology in general, becomes ever more obvious. Simple ecosystems, such as are artificially maintained in conventional agriculture, are intrinsically prone to instability through reduced capacity to buffer the manifold effects of the many stresses impacting such systems. Diversity has been shown to buffer the adversity of stresses in various ecosystems. However, diversity is not enough. Ecosystems function by way of diversity of organisms present, their relative abundances, their activities, and their interactions within and between species, and with physical components of their habitats. A thematic approach in Kevan's laboratory, and related to sustainable and organic agriculture, has been through ecosystem function and definition of ecosystem health. In short, the principles of competitive exclusion and niche hierarchy indicate that communities naturally comprise few abundant species, mostly species of intermediate abundance, and few rare species. Departures from that pattern of log-normality of biodiversity and abundance suggest that the ecosystem under consideration may be stressed and unstable (or "unhealthy"). Kevan's research on pollinating bees on blueberry fields stressed by pesticides in New Brunswick fits that model. Similarly, research on mites in the Arctic soils stressed by tracked vehicles fits that model. The organisms used for such studies must comprise ecologically functional groups. Research on the effects of tillage as a stress on the assemblage of ground beetles (Carabidae: Coleoptera) in fields in Southern Ontario, and comparisons with their assemblages in other habitats, indicate that those beetles are not good indicators of ecosystem functionality, regardless of their value as indicator species on their own. That is probably because ground beetles are not a complete and ecologically functional group in the context of niche hierarchy: other insects probably need to be included. The principles involved in those studies are probably important in the functionality of organic agricultural ecosystems and are in need of much investigation, especially in Canada.

Funding Source: NSERC Discovery Grant, Tricouncil Grant for Agroecosystem Health

Researchers: Simon Lachance (Université de Guelph – Campus d’Alfred), Paul Sharpe, Jim Fisher (University of Guelph – Kemptville Campus), Kevin Floate, Gary Gibson (Agriculture and Agri-food Canada).

High demand for organic milk and organic meat is creating significant opportunities for incremental growth.  Pest flies and other arthropod parasites in animal production can spread disease and reduce cattle feeding efficiency, which affects weight gain, milk production and milk fat content. As well, the flies are a nuisance to cows, workers and neighboring residents, and are a serious public health concern.  Current chemical control of pests is a concern for cattle, pork, goat, chicken and sheep producers, because of the financial cost, health, food and environmental concerns over the use of pesticides.

Management of stalls, and the use of specific bedding materials and bedding additives, can reduce the incidence of pathogens transmitting diseases to livestock (such as mastitis and pink-eye), directly through microorganism control or indirectly by reducing the number of vectors such as flies.

Efforts will be made to identify and develop reduced-risk strategies for external pest management and pathogens, mostly centered on preventative methods to reduce the risks associated with pesticide use for the animals, humans and the environment.  Innovative, simple and safe technologies are targeted for all livestock, but primarily for organic cattle production. Development and testing of natural plant extracts and essential oils will be undertaken for their use in pasture situations and in barns.

The larval stage of pest flies inside barns, and adult house flies, biting stable flies, face flies and horn flies in pastures will be targeted, as well as disease-causing bacteria in cow bedding and other external parasites such as mange mites.  The products and technologies can be included in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies at the barn, can limit pesticide use, and are compatible with organic and conventional livestock production.  Biodiversity management and manure management in pasture as ways to promote pest control and economic services to farmers, such as reduction in flies, internal parasites and increased manure pie disappearance, will also be studied.

There is a need for more information and technology transfer on various beneficial insects, fungi and bacteria that may assist in the control of various insects. New methods will provide new tools in the preventative management of pests and pathogens, easier transition to organic agriculture and increases in organic livestock production. This will also lead to less pesticides being transferred to milk and animal meat, as well as better animal health and a healthier environment for barn workers.

Funding Source:OMAFRA, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Organic Meadow Co-operative and Harmony Organic Dairy Products Inc.

Researchers: Spencer Henson, John Cranfield, D. Peter Stonehouse and graduate student Jim Holliday

Objectives:

• To assess the economic feasibility of organic production in Ontario and the impact of consumer demand and alternative systems of marketing.
• To assess the potential role for conversion-grade products on the economic feasibility of conversion to organic methods of production.

Funding Source: OntarBio; New Directions

Researcher: Jennifer Sumner

Abstract: The family farm is making a comeback in Ontario in response to rising consumer demand for organic food products. Organic farming, which favours small-scale, local, hands-on production, provides an opportunity for family farms to survive. The return of the family farm, in turn, directly affects the rural communities they support. In the 'absentee economy' of agribusiness corporations, large agro-industrial farms increasingly bypass rural communities by involving inputs from urban centres and outputs to global destinations. Smaller farms interact with their immediate communities on many levels: by patronizing local businesses, by supporting local schools, by providing products for value-added production, by using local services and by contributing to a sense of community. This research will contribute to a wider understanding of the ways in which organic family farms contribute to the economic, social, political, environmental and cultural sustainability of rural communities. Through open-ended interviews with organic farmers in southwestern Ontario, I am gathering data concerning the links between organic family farms and rural communities. The crisis in many rural communities is acute and growing worse. The return of family farms could be an early indication of a change in the declining fortunes of rural communities - they are living laboratories of local survival in a globalized context. Understanding the relationship between organic family farms and rural communities could have repercussions not only for farming communities in Canada and other countries, but also for non-farm communities, both urban and rural, that are struggling with issues of sustainability.

Funding Source: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada