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Organic Research Forum
This document summarizes a presentation on soil health research highlights from the Organic Council of Ontario. It discusses definitions of soil health, key soil functions like energy, water, mineral and biodiversity cycles. It outlines measurements of soil carbon, organic matter, bulk density and water infiltration in managed versus unmanaged soils. For example, garden soil had higher soil organic carbon in managed areas. It promotes citizen science and community engagement in soil health. Finally, it describes the creation of a new nonprofit farm in Alfred, Ontario that will conduct organic dairy research.
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Organic Research Forum
- 1. Soil Health Research Highlights OrganicCouncil of Ontario April 12, 2019 Ruth Knight
- 2. Life is themost powerful planetary force!
- 3. Foundation of SoilHealth Coalition Soil Health What is it? How do we get there? Guidance Management Decision Making Understanding soil function Relate to your context Action you will take Support Community Engagement
- 4. SOIL HEALTH: The capacityof a soil to function as a vital, living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans NRCS, USDA This definition speaks to the importance of our intention and action on soils based on their function and the emphasis on LIFE
- 5. Soil Function InvolvesFour Life Cycles Energy Cycle Water CycleMineral Cycle Biodiversity SOI L
- 6. Soil First Focus– Outcome Measurements SOIL ▪ Total Carbon ▪ Organic Matter ▪ Bulk Density ▪ Particle Size WATER ▪ Water Infiltration
- 7. Soil First Focus– Outcome Measurements SOIL ▪ Total Carbon ▪ Organic Matter ▪ Bulk Density ▪ Particle Size WATER ▪ Water Infiltration MANAGEMENT
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- 10. Shared Learning –Farmer to Farmer
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- 13. Outcome Measurements –Soil Carbon 15 cm 15 0 cm 30 cm
- 14. Bulk Density Plant growth restricted 1.6 g/cm³ Concretedensity 1.4 to 2.4 g/cm³ High Organic Matter 0.02 g/cm³ Mineral soils range 1.0 and 1.6 g/cm³
- 15. Particle Size Distribution ●Soil type matters ● Higher clay tends to have higher carbon mass per acre
- 16. No Till CropField and Forest SOC Mass Mg C ha-1 M 69.71 UM 88.47
- 17. ● No TillCrop Field and Forest
- 18. Ring #1 positionedin wheel track from combine or grain buggy No-Till wheat with cover crop after wheat harvest Benefit of crop rotation, reduced tillage and cover crops reversed by compaction
- 19. ● Garden soil– Managed Soil SOC Mass Mg C ha-1 M 153.33 UM 76.02
- 20. ● Garden soil– Managed Soil
- 21. Outcome Measurements –Water Infiltration 3 Rings 3 Pours Timed up to 60 minutes Unmanaged 2X faster Managed more variable Indicator very sensitive Accessible Measure on own Powerful indicator
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- 25. New not-for-profit corporation Fermed’éducation et de recherche du campus d’Alfred (FERCA) � U of G announced their intention to close Alfred Campus in 2014 � UCFO created FERCA in the summer of 2015 � Obtained milk quota from DFO in June 2015 � Signed a transition lease with ARIO in July 2015 � Purchased the dairy herd from U of G in August 2015 � FERCA started its operation on August 31, 2015 � FERCA maintained all its accreditation for research and the organic certification
- 26. New not-for-profit corporation(FERCA) Board members • Seven elected individuals or corporate members • UCFO has the option to name 4 of the members • The 3 other members are elected Management structure • UCFO Executive Director serves as FERCA Executive Director • FERCA administrative support is provided by UCFO • Farm manager to conduct the farm operations. • Research officer
- 27. Use of theAlfred Facilities MAP
- 28. The project 2018 •Acquisition of lower campus (completed on May 16th 2018) • Construction of a new organic dairy research facility. Project started in fall 2018 • Triple the size of the herd in 4 years (from 36Kg in 2015 to 110 Kg in 2019) • New facility will maximise FERCA’s ressources • With the ambition to be THE Canadien center of excellence in organic dairy production • Investment of 2.8 Millions $
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- 32. Construction project Explanation • Coldbarn • Design to host 104 milking cows • Capacity to create 8 groups of 12 cows in research mode • Milking parlour • Current barn to be used for replacement herd • Lab space • Intensive pasture management
- 33. Research possibilities fororganic milk production � Calves husbandry � Pasture management � Identification and promotion of best practices in organic production � Impact of grain rations in organic production � Yield increase in milk production in a new construction vs cost of construction and cost of production � Any other research initiatives prioritized by OPAC or DFO � FERCA is not attached to any institution. As such, any colleges, universities or private corporations are welcome to use our facilities.
- 34. Why get involvewith FERCA • Unique organic farm for research in Canada . • Support ag training in Eastern Ontario. • Support organic producers. • Improve organic production and processing to meet consumers’ demands. • Community willing to invest.
- 35. Questions To reach us SimonDurand Executive Director FERCA Phone: 613-488-2929 E-mail: sdurand@ucfo.ca